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Thursday, 12 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 163-170

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (163)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

163. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if stud farms and other equine farms are entitled to apply for Pillar 1 payments under the Common Agricultural Policy programme 2015-2020 on all their land; if there has been a change of rule in this regard from the CAP programme 2007-2014; the number of applications received from stud farms for either the allocation or purchase of single farm payment entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/14]

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Written answers

To be eligible to participate in the new Basic Payment Scheme, a farmer must submit an application for the allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme before the closing date which will be 15 May 2015. S/he must be an active farmer carrying out an agricultural activity or at least maintaining the land in good agricultural environmental condition. On marginal land a minimum level of activity will be required.

In addition, a farmer must be eligible to receive an allocation of entitlements. Any farmer who was entitled to receive a direct payment in 2013 (Single Payment, Grassland Sheep Scheme, Burren Life Scheme, Beef Data Scheme) is automatically eligible to receive an allocation of new entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. Farmers who have stud farms or other equine farms and who were entitled to receive a direct payment in 2013 are eligible to receive an allocation of new Basic Payment Scheme entitlements.

The number of entitlements allocated will be based on the number of hectares of eligible land declared by the farmer in 2013 or in 2015, whichever is the lesser. The value of entitlements will be a percentage of the value of the Single Payment entitlements owned by the farmer in 2014, together with the value of the Grassland Sheep payment, if any.

A farmer who is not automatically eligible to receive an allocation of new entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, but who was actively farming in 2013, may qualify for an allocation under the "Scottish Derogation". The so-called Scottish Derogation provides for an allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 to persons who never held entitlements, either owned or leased, under the current Single Payment Scheme. In addition such persons must provide verifiable evidence that they produced an agricultural product in the beef, dairying, sheep or arable sectors in 2013. Stud farms and other equine farms who were not also engaged in the named sectors would therefore not be eligible for an allocation of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements under this category.

The statistics you have requested in respect of the number of applications received from stud farms or other equine farms for the allocation or purchase of Single Payment entitlements are not recorded by the Single Payment Division of my Department.

Aquaculture Licences

Questions (164)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

164. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in the consideration of an application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara for an aquaculture licence for a large fish farm in Galway Bay; when a decision will issue on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25090/14]

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Written answers

An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay has been received by my Department. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.

A determination in respect of the application will be made as soon as possible following completion of the necessary assessment process. This assessment process will take full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.

There is always a strict separation of my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.

As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (165)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

165. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who included commonage in their single farm payment applications in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25091/14]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the lands declared by applicants under the Single Payment Scheme also applies, where appropriate, to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, REPS and other area-based schemes. In 2013, a total of 14,929 applicants declared commonage land parcels on their applications forms.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (166)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

166. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers with commonage that participated in REP 4 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25092/14]

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Written answers

There have been a number of different agri-environment schemes running since June 1994, commencing with REPS 1. REPS 4 is the latest and the last in the REPS series, having been succeeded by AEOS, the Agri-Environment Options Scheme, which opened in 2010. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and provided inter alia for the application of environmental actions to Commonage lands upon which the applicant held grazing entitlements, and for which a Commonage Framework Plan was prepared. Over 30,000 farmers participated in the REPS 4 scheme and of these a total of 3,610 had commonage lands.

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Questions (167)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in order for farmers with commonage to be eligible to participate in the new GLAS scheme, they will be required to form an association of farmers in the commonage; if the minimum threshold for participation will be 50% of the active farmers in the commonage or 50% of the landholders in the commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25093/14]

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Written answers

Since I first proposed the 80% participation level on Commonages to qualify under Tier One of GLAS, I have further reviewed the position and I announced on 13 May 2014 that I was building in a second-tier access to the Scheme where a minimum of just 50% participation could be secured. I believe this will significantly ease the burden of securing agreements, while at the same time providing a critical mass for management of the commonage which can be expanded upon in future years.

The public consultation is now nearing completion, following which details of the GLAS Scheme, including Commonage requirements, will be finalised. It is clear, however, that arrangements for Commonages must be based on collective agreement among active farmers if the environmental objectives, for which payment is being advanced, are to be achieved.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (168)

Michael McGrath

Question:

168. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed list in tabular form of all staff vacancies, within his Department and in each agency under his Department's remit, at principal officer grade or above, including the title of the vacant post and the functional area to which it belongs; the length of time the post has been vacant; the salary attached to the post in question; in respect of agencies where Civil Service grades do not apply, if he will include vacancies where the post attracts a salary equivalent to or greater than a principal officer grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25115/14]

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Written answers

Since 2008, the number of posts at Head of Division level and above in my Department reduced as a result of changes in work practices and wider reforms. Notwithstanding this, two vacancies, the Head of Agricultural Laboratories (€104,235 rising by 6 points to €117,634 (LSI 2)) and Superintending Senior Research Officer (€92,131 rising by 6 points to €109,075 (LSI 2)), exist at present and arrangements are currently being made to fill these posts in accordance with sanction received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The parallel information in respect of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Bodies themselves.

Firearms Licences

Questions (169, 178)

Pat Deering

Question:

169. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider setting up an independent firearms licensing authority with its primary focus on the character of the applicant, including safety and security concerns, with a non-judicial appeals system for refusals. [24993/14]

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Brendan Smith

Question:

178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the issues raised by the National Association of Regional Game Councils in relation to the licencing of firearms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25148/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 178 together.

As the Deputy is aware, in light of public safety concerns highlighted by An Garda Síochána and difficulties in the interpretation of the legislation expressed by members of the judiciary, my Department is currently examining key policy, legislative, administrative and other issues relating to firearms licensing in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. I expect to receive and consider a report in relation to these matters in the near future. When I have considered that report I will consider what further action is necessary in relation to the firearms licensing system.

Officials of my Department met key interest groups in late 2013 and early 2014 who set out their concerns in relation to a range of issues regarding firearms licensing at that time. These interest groups have also communicated their views directly to me, as well as to all Oireachtas members. Further consultation with relevant stakeholders will take place when I have considered the report and before any decisions are finalised in relation to proposals for change to the firearms licensing system. I will decide on the nature of the consultation and what meetings are appropriate at the time I am considering the report.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (170)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

170. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will keep immigration reform as a priority on her Department's agenda; if she will ensure that legislation introduced and intended to be published will be done within the timeframe given; if she will ensure the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill is published by the end of this year, as previously indicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25045/14]

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Written answers

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to immigration reform as provided for under the Programme for Government and under the Government Legislation Programme. Since my appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality, I have been considering the many and varied issues that have arisen, and continue to arise, in relation to this key area of statutory reform. Quite clearly significant legislative reform is required in this area - not least because of evolving jurisprudence and developments elsewhere. Moreover, some of the reform measures required are patently more urgent than others. For example, legislating to provide the means for a single procedure and related issues to deal with all protection claims is of priority in that it will provide the legislative framework for removing the structural delays which are a feature of our existing protection system. I am particularly anxious, therefore, to ensure that legislation to deal at least with the more urgent issues is brought forward this year. In that respect work by my officials on legislative reform in this area continues including in conjunction with the Offices of the Attorney General and of the Parliamentary Counsel.

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