Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 443-470

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (443)

Seán Fleming

Question:

443. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new staff employed since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33214/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of new staff hired in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013 was 14 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) with a current annual cost of €546, 821.520, and for January – August 2014 was 11 FTE with a current annual cost of €384,590.74. This Department is currently involved in a Workforce Planning process in which the future staffing needs for DAFM will be forecasted for 2015 – 2017. The Workforce Plan will take into account any potential changes in the nature of work carried out by the Department in the coming years, which is likely to impact on the level of staffing required.

To assist with succession planning, the Workforce Plan will look at the relevant skills and competencies needed for each post and consideration will be given to methods other than recruitment, when considering how to fill posts e.g. training, mobility etc. Until the Workforce Planning process has been completed it is difficult to assess the level of recruitment which will be necessary in 2015 - 2016.

Farm Inspections

Questions (444)

Michael Lowry

Question:

444. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 300 of 15 October 2013 if he will review the answer given in view of the fact that it has now been proven to be incorrect; the reason a fine was administered in this case in view of the fact that it was subsequently repaid; the way it was determined that there was an intentional over-declaration of 20% in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33253/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 2012 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. This inspection initially identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found resulting in an intentional over-declaration in area of greater than 20% being determined. This resulted in no payment being made in respect of the Single Payment Scheme and in addition an administrative fine was applied.

The person named sought a review of this decision and during this review process the application of the administrative fine was examined. Following a review of the applicable EU legislation and the receipt of legal advice from my Department’s Legal Services Division, it was determined that the application of the administrative fine was incorrect given that the area of the intentional non-compliance was less than 3%. Following this determination, arrangements were immediately put in place to refund the value of the administrative fine applied. The amount of €56,640.64 issued to the person named on 20 December 2013.

Turbary Rights

Questions (445)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

445. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline in which he expects to bring to conclusion the ownership entitlement of bog plot holders in a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33415/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Preliminary work was commenced a number of years ago on the formulation of a scheme for the allotment of over one hundred turbary plots in Kilbride Bog. Considerable resources are required both administratively and on the ground to fully operate a scheme of this kind and completion of the scheme has not been possible in the last number of years. Available resources are currently deployed in the most efficient manner possible but it is not possible to provide a timeline for the completion of this turbary scheme at the present time.

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Questions (446)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding land payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33424/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Land declared under the Single Payment Scheme is required to be eligible, as defined, in the given year of application. Applicants are advised to only apply on eligible land; furthermore, in order to receive full payment, an applicant is required to declare one eligible hectare in respect of each payment entitlement held. Land which previously had been deemed ineligible in one Scheme year may, of course, be deemed eligible in a subsequent Scheme year, where the necessary remedial works have been completed.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (447)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied). [33549/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

To date, no appeal against the overpayment notified has been received by my Department. The applicant has been informed of this and has been made aware of the procedures to follow in order to make an appeal.

Beef Industry

Questions (448)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

448. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action that will be taken to help farmers involved in the suckler herd (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33550/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by suckler farmers in Ireland and the impact which declining beef prices have had on farm incomes in the sector in recent months. Against this backdrop, I announced details of an investment package worth up to €40m in 2014 aimed at sustaining a critical mass in the suckler cow herd, the seedbed for our beef industry. This package includes:

- €23m for the Beef Genomics Scheme;

- €10m for the Beef Data Programme;

- €5m for the Beef Technology Adoption Programme; &

- €2m in residual payments under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme.

I also invited key stakeholders, including farm organisations, beef processors and relevant state agencies, to a round table discussion on the future development of the beef sector on 17 April and 3 June last. I am currently finalising a date for the autumn meeting of this roundtable.  

The Beef Roundtable discussions will reconvene quarterly to exchange intelligence on market developments and forecasts, including in relation to supply, demand, prices, product specifications, and retail changes. Resulting from the discussions in the Roundtable, I launched a public consultation on the possibility of legislating for the recognition of producer organisations in the beef sector, while I will also shortly launch a ‘Beef Pricewatch’ online tool to make price information more accessible and free of charge to farmers.

I am also mindful of reviewing the progress we have made in delivering on the Food Harvest strategy and developing new areas of strategic engagement into the future. With this in mind, I requested Mr. Michael Dowling, Chairman of the Beef 2020 Activation Group, to review the implementation of the Activation Group’s report. Mr. Dowling’s report has been delivered, and I have asked roundtable participants to reflect on its recommendations. I have again in recent weeks met with farmers and processors, and I shortly expect to receive a comprehensive response to the Dowling report from the Meat industry.

From a longer term strategic perspective, the need to maintain a viable suckler herd into the future is a core component of the draft €4 billion draft Rural Development Programme for the period to 2020. Under the new RDP, suckler farmers will be eligible for participation under a range of measures, including:

- a substantial new agri-environment/climate scheme (GLAS), which will build on the progress made under REPS and AEOS. This will provide for a maximum payment of €5,000 for up to 50,000 farmers and a further payment of up to €2,000 for a limited number of farmers who take on particularly challenging actions;

- continued strong support for disadvantaged areas (now known as Areas of Natural Constraint) to the tune of about €195 million per year;

- knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions in the beef sector;

- a new beef data and genomics measure worth up to €52 million per year aimed at improving the genetic quality of the suckler beef herd; and

- a separate strand of the support for on-farm capital investment will be ring-fenced for young farmers at a higher rate of aid intensity of 60%.

I am confident that this combined focus on both the immediate and longer term, together with ongoing engagement by state agencies such as Bord Bia and Teagasc, will ensure the sector remains on a sustainable footing.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (449)

Pat Breen

Question:

449. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the balance of the agri-environment option scheme 3 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33679/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of the 2013 Scheme year and full payment has issued to the person named - 75% payment issued on the 11th July 2014 and the balancing 25% payment issued on the 8th September 2014.

Forestry Premium Payments

Questions (450)

Pat Breen

Question:

450. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when forestry payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33680/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 2014 annual forestry premium for this contract was paid 8th August 2014 and payments under the contract are now up to date.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (451)

Pat Breen

Question:

451. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding agri-environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33681/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of the 2013 Scheme year and full payment has issued to the person named - 75% payment issued on the 7th May 2014 and the balancing 25% payment issued on the 8th September 2014.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (452)

Pat Breen

Question:

452. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33682/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Single Payment scheme, in order to receive full payment, an applicant must declare one eligible hectare for each entitlement held. Under the 2013 scheme, while the person named held 34.93 entitlements, as he only declared 26.82 hectares of eligible lands, payment was made on the basis of the declaration made. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme in both 2012 and 2013 revealed that a number of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. In order to clarify the position regarding the ineligible features my Department undertook a ground verification check. The outcome of this check reduced the over-declaration in area in respect of the 2012 Scheme and the minor reduction in respect of the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was removed. A letter detailing the outcome of the verification check issued to the person named on 7 July 2014; the person named was also informed of the right to appeal this decision to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee. I understand that no such appeal has been received to date.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (453)

Dan Neville

Question:

453. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all area aid moneys due have been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [33715/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The person named was notified of the outcome of the inspection in a letter dated 26 May 2014 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. The results of the verification visit were processed and the SPS payment due issued on 16 June 2014. To date, no appeal to the LPIS Appeal Committee has been received.

Question No. 454 answered with Question No. 439.

Fodder Crisis

Questions (455)

Jim Daly

Question:

455. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the imported fodder transport scheme will issue in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33820/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In excess of 18,000 farmers benefited under the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, under which, to date, payments worth in excess of €2.7 million have issued, with total expenditure expected to be in the region of €2.9 million. In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies in April/May 2013, I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third.

While the Scheme operated through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies, the actual beneficiaries are the individual farmers and primary producers who needed urgent supplies of feed. Operating the scheme in this manner was the quickest and most effective way of getting the fodder to those who needed it.

Of the 80 different concerns which participated in the Scheme, to date, all have submitted claims, of which 71 have been fully processed and paid in full, with a further 3 having received a 75% advance payment with the balancing payment due to issue to these concerns once all outstanding issues are resolved. The remaining 6 concerns are due payment are in direct contact with my Department and are working to resolve all outstanding issues.

The advance payment did issue to the concern named and the balancing payment is in the process of being finalised and is expected to issue shortly.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (456)

Denis Naughten

Question:

456. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an outstanding payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in payments under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33842/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of the 2013 Scheme year and full payment has issued to the person named - 75% payment issued on the 21st May 2014 and the balancing 25% payment issued on the 8th September 2014.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (457)

Michael Ring

Question:

457. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive their agri-environment option scheme 2 balancing payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33848/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.

The checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year has been completed and 75% payment issued to the person named on the 10th March 2014. During these checks an issue was identified regarding the Natura action which Department officials are working to resolve. A review of the land declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme is currently being processed. Once these issues have been finalised, the application will be further processed with the intention of issuing the balancing payment for 2013 at the earliest opportunity.

Animal Welfare

Questions (458)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

458. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to a query from a person (details supplied). [33932/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, the Oireachtas has given Local Authorities extensive powers, including powers for the enactment of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area and, by extension, protection of persons and property. My Department provides financial support to local authorities to assist their work in implementing the Act. In the case in question, Louth County Council has made bye-laws declaring the Cooley commonage a "control area" where all horses are required to be micro-chipped and licensed, with the objective of assisting with control of horses, particularly with regard to horses that are straying and or abandoned, so as to prevent injury or nuisance to persons, particularly hill walkers or damage to property.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (459)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

459. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33967/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to comply with EU requirements, the named person’s 2013 Single Farm Payment /Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application was initially selected for a cross-compliance inspection. This inspection identified breaches in relation to sheep identification and registration requirements and also Good Agricultural & Environmental Conditions requirements. This resulted in a 5% penalty being applied against the 2013 payments. The person named was notified of this decision on 2 September 2014 and of the right to seek a review of the decision. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office. A 2013 ground eligibility inspection was subsequently carried out on the holding of the person named in July 2014. The outcome of the inspection is currently being processed and once completed the person named will be notified of any issues that may arise. This process will be finalised shortly and any 2013 scheme payments due will issue as soon as possible thereafter.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (460)

Seán Fleming

Question:

460. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of administrative arrangements, as opposed to contracts for service, to which his Department is a party; if he will provide in tabular form the party or parties to the administrative arrangement; the duration of these administrative arrangements; the cost recovery value of these administrative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33996/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is not party to any such administrative arrangements.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (461)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

461. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application under the single farm payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34070/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter, the results of which are now being finalised. In the event of a successful outcome to this appeal a re-calculation of the application of the person will take place and if applicable, payment will subsequently issue. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this verification check, the decision can be appealed to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.

Land Parcel Identification System

Questions (462)

Michael Lowry

Question:

462. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the number of overclaim cases currently with the land parcel identification section; the average processing time in resolving these cases; the number of County Tipperary farmers awaiting a decision in their cases; his views that these delays are acceptable; if he will take steps to tackle these backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34153/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The data sought by the Deputy are currently being compiled and will be furnished directly to the Deputy immediately it becomes available. Under the Terms & Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the Single Payment Scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications, are to exclude ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. These claims are then recorded on the Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Given the importance of the LPIS database in underpinning direct aid payments worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually, my Department is obliged under EU Regulations to ensure its accuracy.

Following consultation with the EU Commission, as part of the normal Accounting process, my Department was requested to undertake a complete review of the LPIS database. This has resulted in the necessity to adjust parcels of a significant number of applicants, where it was established that some ineligible features had been included. In certain circumstances these adjustments are giving rise to penalties.

A comprehensive review and appeals process has been implemented to ensure that the cases of individual farmers are fully scrutinised. In the first instance, a farmer, who finds himself or herself in this position, can seek a review of the original decision by Department officials. If they are not happy with the outcome of the review, they can submit an appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.

The LPIS Review process initiated by my Department consisted on a review of all of the eligible land parcels in the LPIS database, as declared by farmers under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes. In total, the Review covered in excess of 132,000 applicants and the land parcels declared by them as eligible for payment under one of more of the above-mentioned Schemes.

It is important to note that there are some positive outcomes of the current Review from a farmer’s point of view. In the first instance, as I already announced, the number of payment entitlements which farmers will be granted under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 will be based on the 2013 eligible land or in 2015 if it is lower. This means that farmers, who have ineligible land deducted in 2013 as part of this Review, will be protected under the new Regime as their entitlements will be based on the actual eligible land in 2013. In addition, it also means that farmers, who are contributing to the convergence process by having reductions applied to their entitlements, will not see part of the funds used to make payments on ineligible lands.

A deliberate decision was taken late last year not to delay payments to those farmers whose payments were due to be subject to reduction following the outcome of the Review; rather, the payments issued with the sums in question deducted, the farmers concerned being then advised of the reductions and the appeals process. This course of action was specifically designed to ensure that there was no undue delay in issuing payments, while also ensuring that farmers were aware of the appeals process.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (463)

Pat Breen

Question:

463. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the balance of 25% payments of the agri-environment option scheme will issue to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Area-based schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13, are subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including cross checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, to be completed before payments can issue. These rigorous procedures, together with on-farm inspections, apply to a number of scheme payments including the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS), and are necessary to ensure that applications meet the scheme conditions and cross-compliance requirements. In line with the governing Regulations, payments issue in two tranches, 75% payment and 25% payment. Payments have been made under both tranches for 2013 and continue to issue on an ongoing basis. Any outstanding payments are largely due to unresolved queries associated with applications and in most instances officials in my Department will have contacted the applicants concerned with the intention of issuing payment as soon as possible.

Coillte Teoranta Lands

Questions (464)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

464. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of land at Kilcooley Estate, County Tipperary that Coillte owns or has owned in the past ten years; and the details of leasing or sales arrangements on any Coillte lands at that address. [34165/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. The company has, however, advised that Coillte disposed of its leasehold of 402.92 hectares of land and trees at Kilcooley Estate, County Tipperary. Coillte further advised that contracts were issued in March 2011 and the transaction completed on 16th December 2013.

Coillte Teoranta Staff Remuneration

Questions (465)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

465. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the property advisers used by Coillte; the measures in place to prevent a conflict of interest in their roles as auctioneers, solicitors and so on and in their role as Coillte advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34166/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the engagement of advisors as outlined in the question, are the responsibility of the company. The company has, however, advised that Coillte uses a panel of property advisors across its business to ensure that the company secures the best return on any transaction in which it is involved. The company also advised that the roles and remit of such advisors are clearly defined and described in the commercial arrangements Coillte make with them to advise and support Coillte in its business.

Forestry Sector

Questions (466)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

466. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans regarding the expansion of the forestry industry for the development of a domestic biomass supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34167/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Domestic forest-based biomass makes a significant contribution to renewable energy provision. My Department has estimated that in 2013, 1.2 million cubic metres, or 34% of the annual harvest was used for energy purposes, an increase of 14% on the 2012 figure. Our projections are that by 2020 the forest-based biomass contribution will rise to 1.5 million cubic metres per annum. There are a number of measures in place to support the expansion of the biomass supply chain, including grant aid for forest road construction to support early thinning and biomass mobilisation, as well as funding for the forest energy research programme based at Waterford Institute of Technology. My Department also provides grant aid to support the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, which aims to provide consumers with quality assured wood fuels. On the demand side the REFIT tariff for biomass CHP and the carbon tax provide incentives for the use of wood fuels. We are also working in close collaboration with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding plans to expand forest-based biomass use. The recently published Draft forestry programme also includes a proposed grant aid measure called forestry for fibre, which is aimed at the establishment and maintenance of forests geared towards forest-based biomass production. At the wider level, the continuation of grant aid support for afforestation, and for thinning of broadleaves will also contribute to the development of domestic biomass supply chains.

Bovine Disease Controls

Questions (467)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

467. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding compensation for calves diagnosed with bovine viral diarrhoea, BVD, (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34227/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department provides support measures for farmers under the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) programme. In view of the limited financial resources available and the early payback in dairy herds it was decided in 2013 to focus the support measures on second and subsequent persistently infected (PI) calves removed from suckler herds. In the case of the farmer (details supplied) an application was received in August, 2013 seeking compensation for removal of P.I. calves from his herd. The application was processed and as the dams of the animals in question were from dairy breeds no compensation was payable.

Beef Industry

Questions (468)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

468. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in view of the serious income crises in the beef sector, he will consider bringing forward payment of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34228/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The timing of the Single Farm Payment is of critical importance to farmers and the wider rural economy, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.6 billion that is paid out annually in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of farmers in Ireland, in many cases it is used to subsidise the running costs of the farming enterprise and is, therefore, greater than the net farm income in those cases. I am particularly conscious of the need to improve the cash flow on these farms. In the case of the Single Farm Payment, I can confirm that advance payments valued at over €500,000 million will commence on 16th October. My Department will make every effort to maximise the number of applicants cleared for payment on that date and will continue regular payment runs for cases as they are fully processed for payment thereafter. As in previous years the balancing payment will commence on 1st December.

Land Parcel Identification System

Questions (469)

Pat Deering

Question:

469. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the land parcel identification system; the number of appeals made; the number of cases completed as at 1 September 2014; the number of cases currently been examined and the number of cases still waiting for their review to commence on a county basis; the principal reasons for the delay and the timescale for completion of all outstanding reviews and payments; the amount of money being withheld from applicants on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34233/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The data sought by the Deputy are currently being compiled and will be furnished directly to the Deputy immediately they become available. Under the Terms & Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the Single Payment Scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications, are to exclude ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. These claims are then recorded on the Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Given the importance of the LPIS database in underpinning direct aid payments worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually, my Department is obliged under EU Regulations to ensure its accuracy.

Following consultation with the EU Commission, as part of the normal Accounting process, my Department was requested to undertake a complete review of the LPIS database. This has resulted in the necessity to adjust parcels of a significant number of applicants, where it was established that some ineligible features had been included. In certain circumstances these adjustments are giving rise to penalties.

A comprehensive review and appeals process has been implemented to ensure that the cases of individual farmers are fully scrutinised. In the first instance, a farmer, who finds himself or herself in this position, can seek a review of the original decision by Department officials. If they are not happy with the outcome of the review, they can submit an appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.

The LPIS Review process initiated by my Department consisted on a review of all of the eligible land parcels in the LPIS database, as declared by farmers under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes. In total, the Review covered in excess of 132,000 applicants and the land parcels declared by them as eligible for payment under one of more of the above-mentioned Schemes.

It is important to note that there are some positive outcomes of the current Review from a farmer’s point of view. In the first instance, as I already announced, the number of payment entitlements which farmers will be granted under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 will be based on the 2013 eligible land or in 2015 if it is lower. This means that farmers, who have ineligible land deducted in 2013 as part of this Review, will be protected under the new Regime as their entitlements will be based on the actual eligible land in 2013. In addition, it also means that farmers, who are contributing to the convergence process by having reductions applied to their entitlements, will not see part of the funds used to make payments on ineligible lands.

A deliberate decision was taken late last year not to delay payments to those farmers whose payments were due to be subject to reduction following the outcome of the Review; rather, the payments issued with the sums in question deducted, the farmers concerned being then advised of the reductions and the appeals process. This course of action was specifically designed to ensure that there was no undue delay in issuing payments, while also ensuring that farmers were aware of the appeals process.

Employment Data

Questions (470)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

470. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the increase that has taken place in employment in agriculture, forestry and marine in the two years to the second quarter of 2014 broken down by NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 regions; the sectors in which this increase has occurred; the causes of this increase; the steps taken to sustain this increase in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34473/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The CSO’s Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) shows that there was an annual increase in employment of 1.7%, or 31,600, in the year to the second quarter of 2014, bringing total employment to 1,901,600. Employment increased in ten of the fourteen economic sectors over the year and fell in four. The published annual increase recorded in Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing was +6.2%, or 6,400, giving a total of 109,800. However, the CSO has advised that due to necessary changes in the sampling framework introduced incrementally to reflect the 2011 Census of Population, the first fully valid year-on-year comparisons for the agriculture sector will only be available from Q4 2014.

The table below sets out the employment figures for the total agri-food sector (including primary agriculture, forestry and fishing, as well as food, beverage and wood processing) and calculates its share of total employment by NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 region for Q2 2014. This shows, for example, that while the agri-food sector accounted for 9% of total employment in the State, it accounted for 14% of employment in the BMW region.

These figures underline the importance of the sector at a regional level, as well as the opportunities for further development which the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 will bring.

QNHS data, Q2 2014

-	All Employment	Agri-Food Sector*	% of Total
Border	185	27.2	15%
Midland	114	16.5	15%
West	178	22.1	12%
Border, Midlands & Western	477	65.8	14%
Dublin	576	9.7	2%
Mid-East	229	16.2	7%
Mid-West	148	16.5	11%
South-East	199	28.7	14%
South-West	273	31.2	11%
Southern & Eastern	1,425	102.4	7%
State	1,902	168.2	9%

* NACE 01, 02, 03, 10, 11, 16