Written Answers Nos. 500-527
500. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason specific payment rates are not provided for all Natura areas based on costs and restrictions imposed under the new GLAS proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34673/14]
View answerThe proposed GLAS payment rates for Natura land are based on costs incurred and income foregone. In the case of particular farmland bird species, where additional actions are required for the protection of the species, the relevant costs involved have been calculated and are payable to the GLAS participants who undertake those actions. All GLAS costings have been independently verified by Teagasc and have been submitted to the European Commission for approval as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020.
501. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the list of items eligible for grant aid under TAMS will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34674/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. The following investments have been identified as priority areas which will be targeted in the initial stages:- (i) dairy equipment, (ii) low emission spreading equipment, (iii) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities), (iv) pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers, (v) organic capital investment, and (vi) a young farmer capital investment scheme. TAMS II will subsequently be expanded to cover farm nutrient storage and animal housing. The definitive list of investment items eligible for support under TAMS II will be made available when EU Commission approval for the Programme has been received.
502. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the application process will commence for GLAS 2015; the closing date for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34675/14]
View answerI announced details of the new GLAS (Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme) on the 14th of January 2014 as part of a suite of proposed measures under the new Rural Development Programme. GLAS will provide significant funding to farmers who undertake environmental actions in line with national and EU environmental objectives. It will contribute to the overall public good and will build on the success of previous agri-environment schemes. The Scheme is currently with the European Commission for approval, as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. Once such approval is granted, my Department will move to open the Scheme for applications. I would hope to be able to do so before the end of the year, but this is entirely dependent on approval being secured in time from the EU, as is the closing date for the Scheme. I will announce final decisions in this regard when EU approval is received.
503. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of places that will be available to enable farmers to participate in GLAS 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34676/14]
View answerI am hoping to provide for 25,000 – 30,000 places in the first tranche of GLAS in 2015, subject to available budgets.
504. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of commonage farmers and the number of hectares in each county that have been claimed under Department schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34677/14]
View answerThe following is a breakdown of the number of applicants declaring commonage in 2013 and the total number of hectares of commonage land declared in each county.
|
County |
Number of Herds |
Area Claimed in Hectares |
County |
Number of Herds |
Area Claimed In Hectares |
|
CARLOW |
176 |
2,403 |
LONGFORD |
61 |
345 |
|
CAVAN |
134 |
3,715 |
LOUTH |
166 |
2,250 |
|
CLARE |
375 |
3,214 |
MAYO |
3,300 |
83,237 |
|
CORK |
978 |
17,305 |
MEATH |
12 |
95 |
|
DONEGAL |
2,699 |
51,497 |
MONAGHAN |
3 |
13 |
|
DUBLIN |
46 |
1,601 |
OFFALY |
42 |
421 |
|
GALWAY |
2,677 |
45,202 |
ROSCOMMON |
163 |
1,221 |
|
KERRY |
1,926 |
53,743 |
SLIGO |
487 |
10,178 |
|
KILDARE |
62 |
2,480 |
TIPPERARY |
328 |
11,572 |
|
KILKENNY |
35 |
693 |
WATERFORD |
179 |
8,869 |
|
LAOIS |
105 |
1,180 |
WESTMEATH |
27 |
149 |
|
LEITRIM |
469 |
9,912 |
WEXFORD |
106 |
2,349 |
|
LIMERICK |
59 |
1,409 |
WICKLOW |
321 |
17,641 |
505. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria for the national reserve and young farmer single farm payment top up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34679/14]
View answerTo qualify as a ‘young farmer’ under the Young Farmers Scheme and National Reserve, a farmer must meet all of the following conditions:
- S/he is participating in the Basic Payment Scheme.
- S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme.
- S/he is setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or has set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.
- S/he has successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent.
The setting of objective criteria in relation to the National Reserve is currently under consideration in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the farming organisations and advisory services and will be finalised shortly.
506. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REPS 4 and AEOS payments will issue in respect of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34680/14]
View answerArea-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 REPS 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. It is anticipated that a substantial number of 75% and 25 % payments will issue in the last quarter of 2014 with the remainder issuing in early 2015.
507. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have received their payments under AEOS 3; the amount of money that has been paid out in respect of the 2013 scheme; if the final 25% of eligible payment has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34681/14]
View answerThe following table displays the amount of money issued to date under the AEOS 3 Scheme. A total of 5,520 applicants, or 90% of all AEOS 3 participants, have now been paid 100% of their entitlement for AEOS 3 2013.
Totals Paid to Date
|
- |
Net |
No Paid |
|
75% |
9,005,391.42 |
5,706 |
|
25% |
2,967,623.49 |
5,520 |
|
Total |
11,973,014.91 |
|
Under the EU Regulations governing the scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
Outstanding 2013 payments under AEOS 3 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.
508. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will be due a REPS 4 payment in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34682/14]
View answerThe number of farmers who will be eligible to receive a REPS 4 payment in 2015 provided that all checks are in order is 845.
509. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all REPS 4 and AEOS payments due in 2014 will be paid out before the end of 2014; if he proposes to defer payments to 2015; if so, the level of payments to be deferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/14]
View answerArea-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 REPS 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. Following application of the various controls mentioned above, it is anticipated that a substantial number of 75% and 25 % payments will issue before the end of 2014 with the remainder issuing in early 2015.
510. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer can be a member of two knowledge transfer groups, that is, beef and sheep groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34684/14]
View answerThe draft 2014-2020 Rural Development programme proposes the establishment of Knowledge Transfer Groups across a range of sectors, including Beef and Dairy, that will see farmer meetings facilitated by highly qualified advisors and will involve the transfer and exchange of information and best practice. All participating farmers will be required to develop a Farm Improvement Plan in the initial year of participation and to update it in the 2nd and 3rd years. This plan can include a Profit Monitor, Carbon Navigator, Herd Health Plan and Herd Improvement Plan. As many of these elements will be common to Farm Improvement Plans across the sectors and to address concerns of double funding farmers are prohibited from participating in more than one group at the same time.
512. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being undertaken to protect pig farming from the growing threat of emerging disease problems such as African swine fever, ASF, and porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus, PEDv; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34686/14]
View answerEarlier this year, African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected in wild boar in Lithuania and Poland, and since then the disease has spread to pigs in Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia. ASF has never occurred in Ireland. Arising from these outbreaks the European Commission brought forward a number of regulations with a view to contain the spread of ASF.
My Department has advised pig farmers, by the way of press release to the main farming papers, that they should be particularly aware of the risks posed by visitors or staff returning from ASF affected areas, and ensure that strict hygiene precautions are taken. Critically, they have been advised that food waste must not be fed to pigs and should be disposed of safely.
A new strain of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea Virus (PEDv) has caused substantial losses in the pig sector in North America this year. The European Commission have implemented legalisation to deal with PEDv and minimise the spread of the diseases. Safeguard measures on the import of live pigs and on feed ingredients manufactured from pig blood imported from the USA and Canada, agreed at European Community level, has reduced the risk of PEDv to the Irish pig farming sector.
My officials have remained in close contact with the IFA Pigs Committee on the issue.
ASF and PEDv are both notifiable diseases and there is a legal requirement to notify my Department on suspected outbreaks of the diseases.
In conclusion, my Department will continue to work in close collaboration with the EU Commission, and the Irish pig producers to prevent the importation of these diseases into Ireland. The matter has also been discussed with officials from DARD in recent times.
513. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific funding that will be provided under TAMs to modernise piggeries under the new rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34687/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. In the case of the pig sector, it is proposed to provide funding in the initial stages of TAMS II for investments in relation to energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. TAMS II will subsequently be expanded to provide grant-aid for investments in relation to farm nutrient storage and animal housing. It is not possible at this stage to identify the range of investment items which will be included in these schemes, or the specific sectors concerned.
514. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has put forward any specific proposals recently to the EU Trade Commissioner to protect the Irish beef sector in the event of the EU-US trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/14]
View answer520. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he submitted recently to the EU Trade Commissioner regarding the need to protect the Irish beef sector in the event of an EU-US trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34818/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 514 and 520 together.
I would start by saying that Ireland is very supportive of an EU/US trade deal. An agreement between the world’s two major trading blocs has the potential to increase growth and grow jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. In the agri-food sector we have strong offensive interests, both in terms of market access and in eliminating some of the irritants that hinder trade. We are seeking substantial market access for our dairy products and in the prepared foods area. We also want to see action to action to address the question of Grade A equivalence for dairy and the licensing system that applies to dairy imports into the US.
Of course we have sensitivities as well. One of these is our beef sector. While we see some opportunities for establishing a niche market in the US for Irish beef, we have concerns regarding the prospect of increased beef imports into the EU. I have raised these concerns on a number of occasions with the EU Commission. I have proposed that Ireland’s sensitivities are reflected in the size and composition of any quota offered to the US. I have argued that the size of the quota should not exceed European market absorption capacity, which is substantially reduced according to the latest forecasts. I have also proposed that the quota should be designed – via end use conditions – to ensure that imports are not all concentrated on high value cuts and I have argued that an in-quota tariff rate should continue to apply to imports within the quota.
The most recent report of the European Parliament on the trade implications of the EU US trade bears out these Irish concerns in relation to the suckler cow herd in Europe which it finds will be adversely affected by the trade deal. In my meetings with the new Agriculture Commissioner I will continue to outline our concerns and seek mitigating measures in relation to the beef sector.
I would make one final point about suggestions made in some quarters that the EU might grant access to hormone treated beef from the US as part of these negotiations. It is true that the US has said it is seeking access for its hormone treated meat to the EU. However, a decision was taken many years ago to ban the use of hormones in animals in the EU destined for the human food chain. The decision arose from a long series of upsetting reports linking hormone treated meat to birth deformities. The ban forms part of the EU positive but precautionary principle to limit the use of medical treatments to disease prevention and cure and it is impossible in the current climate to see a reversal of the EU decision.
516. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a land parcel identification system review has been carried out on a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if so, the over-claim that has been applied in the case and the scheme years this over-claim applies to; if a penalty has been applied; if so, the scheme years the penalties apply to; the percentage penalty involved; if any payment under the 2013 single payment scheme has issued to the person in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34714/14]
View answerThe land declared by the person named was subject to the comprehensive review of all land parcel data maintained on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System. The review, which took place in 2012, revealed that two of the land parcels declared by the person named had been over-claimed, involving an a total over-claim of 1.92 hectares, which represented in excess of 20% of the area declared by the person named in each of the years 2009 to 2012, inclusive. As the person named had reduced the area claimed under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, no penalty was applicable, the ineligible area for 2013 being found to be within the allowable tolerance. Payment, both advance and balance, issued to the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, on 16 October 2013 and 2 December 2013, respectively.
517. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he attended a meeting earlier this year with a group (details supplied) in regard to fish farms; if he will make available the minutes and records of this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34715/14]
View answerOn 30th January I met with representatives of the company referred to by the Deputy. The meeting was chaired by an Taoiseach. Officials from the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department were also in attendance. The meeting was held at the request of the company to discuss licensing and industry development issues associated with the company’s operations in Ireland. As is appropriate, it was explained from the outset that specific applications which the company submitted to my Department for consideration could not be discussed in detail in view of the statutory basis of the assessment process.
There is always a strict separation between 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 always strictly observed.
I will be glad to forward my Department’s report of the meeting to the Deputy as soon as possible.
I had a separate meeting in March of this year with the Chief Executive of Marine Harvest Ireland en marge of the North Atlantic Seafood Forum, in Bergen, Norway. I will also forward the record of that meeting to the Deputy.
518. Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the manner whereby farmers can qualify for assistance under the scheme known as the Scottish Derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34735/14]
View answerEU Regulations governing the Scottish Derogation measure of the new Basic Payment scheme provide for an allocation of payment entitlements in 2015 to persons who never held entitlements, either owned or leased, under the Single Payment Scheme. Such farmers must provide verifiable evidence that they produced, reared or grew an agricultural product in the beef, dairying, sheep or arable sectors in 2013. Clarifications required to finalise details in relation to the Scottish Derogation are currently under consideration with the EU Commission.
519. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options available to persons (details supplied) in County Wexford to obtain entitlements for their farm and a future for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34805/14]
View answerThe persons named did not receive a direct payment in 2013 and consequently do not hold an automatic right to receive an allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. EU Regulations governing the new schemes which will be introduced in 2015 provides for an allocation of entitlements to ‘new entrants’ and ‘young farmers’. If the son of the persons named is a new entrant to farming, he may be eligible for an allocation of new Basic Payment Scheme entitlements in 2015 from the National Reserve. To qualify as a new entrant he must:
- Have commenced his farming activity in 2013 or a later year.
- Submit an application under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015.
- Have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award art FETAC level 6.
To qualify as a ‘young farmer’ under the Young Farmers Scheme, he must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be participating in the Basic Payment Scheme.
- be aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme.
- be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.
- have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent.
Teagasc provides a programme at Level 6 entitled the Special Agricultural Award for students with learning difficulties. The persons named should make contact with their local Teagasc Education Officer to discuss this matter further.
The setting of objective criteria in relation to the National Reserve is currently under consideration in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the farming organisations and advisory services and will be finalised shortly.
521. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to provide grant aid for the pigmeat sector under TAMS II taking into account the very high costs in providing appropriate on-farm facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34819/14]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. I have already identified the area of investment in relation to energy, water meters and medicine dispensers in existing pig units as a priority area under TAMS II. The dates of introduction of any new investment schemes will be dependent on a number of factors, including the requirement to obtain EU Commission approval for the Programme concerned.
522. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of new appointments made in his Department and those under his remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35114/14]
View answerThe total number of new hires, broken down by grade, for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine between March 2011 and August 2014 is outlined in the following table.
|
Description |
Staff Number |
|
Administrative Officer |
3 |
|
Asst Agricultural Inspector |
12 |
|
Civilian Driver |
6 |
|
Clerical Officer |
7 |
|
Craftsman |
3 |
|
Harbour Master |
3 |
|
Industrial Foreman |
1 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
7 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Forestry Inspector G3 |
3 |
|
Laboratory Attendant |
1 |
|
Research Officer |
2 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
7 |
|
Principal |
1 |
|
General Operative |
4 |
|
Special Advisor |
2 |
|
Grand Total |
64.00 |
' Does not include the hiring of temporary clerical officers.
523. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of public sector employees under his remit who are subject to a freeze on their increment payment in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35128/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
524. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of civil servants, public servants and semi-State employees in his Department on career break at the time of the Haddington Road agreement who lost their right to return to their old positions; of these, the number who have since been offered redeployment opportunities; the number who availed of suitable redeployment opportunities; the number who terminated their employment; the number who have been accommodated with supernumerary positions after being on redeployment lists of over one year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35139/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy in respect of civil servants in my Department is as follows. An officer wishing to resume duty following a career break will be assigned to the next appropriate vacancy to be filled following the expiry of the career break, with a guarantee of re-employment in a relevant grade, not necessarily in his/her existing Department, within twelve months of expiry of the career break. In accordance with this requirement all officers were offered a position within twelve months of expiry of their career break. Five officers were offered redeployment of which four availed of the redeployment offer and one officer resigned their position. One officer was returned on a supernumerary basis having been on a redeployment list for over one year. The information in relation to public servants is an operational matter for the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
525. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of money owed to the State by the United Nations for the provision of each of the peace keeping operations conducted by the Defence Forces overseas, including both ongoing missions and those that have concluded but where money is still owed to the State by the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33953/14]
View answerThe UN reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owned Equipment costs in respect of contributions of personnel to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The only missions, for which Ireland is currently entitled to reimbursement of some troop and equipment costs, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Since 1 January 2014, approximately €3.1m has been received from the United Nations in respect of reimbursement of troop and other costs associated with the participation of Defence Forces personnel in UNIFIL and UNDOF. The amount currently owing to the Department of Defence by the United Nations is approximately €9.1 million. This amount relates to the current UNIFIL (€0.9m) and UNDOF (€1.8m) missions. It also includes €6.4 million in respect of repatriation costs of equipment from the MINURCAT mission in Chad. The amount owing in relation to the MINURCAT mission is the subject of an ongoing review by the United Nations. Full details of all reimbursements owed by the United Nations are listed in the following tabular statement.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the United Nations is also being finalised in respect of Defence Forces participation in the UNDOF mission. While troop costs for the UNDOF mission have been reimbursed by the United Nations, equipment costs will be reimbursed following signature of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Ireland is not entitled to any reimbursement in respect of Defence Forces participation in EU and NATO-led missions as all troop contributors to such missions are responsible for their own costs.
UN Reimbursements
|
- |
Troop payments outstanding (to 30/06/14) |
Equipment payments outstanding (* to 31/07/14 ** to 30/06/14) |
Other |
Total per mission |
|
UNIFIL Mission |
€490,000.00 |
€450,000.00* |
- |
€940,000.00 |
|
UNDOF mission |
€300,000.00 |
€1,521,498.00** |
- |
€1,821,498.00 |
|
MINURCAT mission |
- |
- |
€6,400,000.00 |
€6,400,000.00 |
|
Total |
€9,161,498.00 |
526. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork, formerly of the Defence Forces, does not have discharge papers. [32985/14]
View answerThe military advise that this person was discharged from the Defence Forces on the 22nd of June 1989 at his own request after 12 years service. The discharge documents (LA89) were issued to him at this time. The LA 89 is an original document and cannot be replaced. However, the military authorities have agreed to issue a Certificate of Service and a copy of the testimonial that was contained in the LA89 to him.
527. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence his proposals or if he will consider any arrangements whereby persons who served in the FCA over the years and have very long service may be considered for some pension as a recognition of their service and time provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33029/14]
View answerThe Army Reserve (previously known as An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil) and the Naval Service Reserve are the component parts of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). It is essentially a part-time force in which service is given on an entirely voluntary basis. Service in the RDF is therefore fundamentally different in nature from service and employment in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), in particular as regards the respective terms and conditions of service involved. Thus, the concept of pensionability which applies to service in the PDF would be inappropriate in relation to the RDF. This policy position is of longstanding and there are no proposals to change it.
