Written Answers Nos. 211-222
211. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment of their 2014 disadvantaged area scheme and single payment scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46762/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 13 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible . In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
212. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single payment scheme and disadvantaged area scheme payments for the years 2010 and 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied); the amount due to be paid for each year; and when payment will issue. [46802/14]
View answerThe person named did not in 2010 have any entitlements under the Single payment Scheme. However, he submitted a 2010 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes application on 14 April 2010. Payment amounting to €3,400.86 under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 16 September 2014 to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The person named submitted a 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes application on 13 May 2011. Payment amounting to € 3,400.86 under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas scheme issued on 6 May 2014 to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The 2011 Single Payment Scheme application has now been cleared for payment and will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
213. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their direct payments for 2014. [46893/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. My Department is now finalising this inspection with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
214. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme and single payment scheme for 2014. [46894/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection.
The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of over 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the scheme s this resulted in no payment being due in respect of the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments.
The person named was notified of this decision by letter dated 1 9 November 2014. The person named has requested a review of this decision and this request will be examined as soon as possible. The person named will be notified of the outcome of the review once completed.
215. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme and single payment scheme for 2014. [46895/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. My Department is now finalising this inspection with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
216. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persons who have attended Mountbellew Agriculture College in County Galway and are qualified in agriculture and environmental management level 7 and have an add-on course qualification in rural enterprise and environmental management will be recognised as having the necessary qualifications to act as a planner under the new GLAS; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46903/14]
View answerIn order to be approved as a GLAS Advisor, an advisor must also be approved as an advisor under the Farm Advisory System (FAS) operated by my Department. The Farm Advisory System is governed by EU Regulations, which requires that advisors are suitably qualified and regularly trained.
In determining the level of educational qualifications required to be a FAS/GLAS advisor, my Department must ensure that such qualifications are of an appropriate standard to meet the objectives and the requirements of the various schemes, and the associated governing legislation, on which advice is being provided. Advisors must be qualified to interpret soil tests, understand the requirements of all schemes and understand constraints of land management imposed by various land designations. Furthermore, advisors must be in a position to translate this knowledge into detailed management plans and also advice for farmers not only on the schemes requirements but also on their farm operations.
In order to ensure that advisors meet the requirements outlined above, my Department requires that all advisors must have attained a FETAC Level 8 Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science/Land Management in Agriculture and must have taken soil science and an animal or crop production subject to a level 8 degree standard.
My Department undertook a detailed examination of the course content of the level 7 BSc in Agriculture and Environment Management with the add-on level 8 BSc in Rural Enterprise in Rural Enterprise and Environment Management provided by Mountbellew Agricultural College and determined that this course does not meet the level 8 educational qualification standard required to be approved as a FAS/GLAS advisor.
My Department has received a request to review this decision and this request is currently being examined. A decision on this review will be notified to Mountbellew Agricultural College as soon as possible.
217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2014 single farm payment scheme and disadvantaged area scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; when the person may receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46904/14]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 30 April 2014. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payments will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008, SI No. 399 of 2004 and SI No. 530 of 2007 which states that it is illegal for international bloodstock sales companies in Ireland to release a horse from the sales ground without providing the horse passport and identification document, if his attention has been drawn to some of the international bloodstock sales companies in Ireland who have not complied with the regulation and are retaining the horse passports and identification documents as security for periods of up to and in excess of two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46918/14]
View answerRegulation 504/2008, which came into effect on 1 July 2009, requires three elements of identification to be fulfilled in respect of each equine – i.e. a single lifetime passport, a method to ensure the unequivocal link between the animal and the passport (transponder) and recording in a central database.
I strengthened equine identification legislation earlier this year with the signing of S.I. 207 of 2014 - European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2014 - which consolidates previous secondary legislation in this area and which further reinforces my powers in relation to the seizure and detention of documents and equine animals.
While I am not aware of international blood stock companies retaining passports as security, I have introduced a provision in S.I. No. 207 of 2014 - European Union (Identification of Equidae) Regulations 2014 prohibiting the retention of an equine identification document by a person other than the keeper of the equine.
219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, will have their single farm payment inspection carried out; the reasons for the delay in carrying out the inspection; if he will expedite the inspection in view of the delay experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46920/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 12 March 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. My Department is now finalising this inspection with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
220. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 92 of 27 November 2014, if he will instruct officials in his Department to issue a query letter in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that the person has not received a written query regarding their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46923/14]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named in my Department on 24 April 2014. Following processing, an error was identified in respect of one land parcel declared on the application. A query letter recently issued dated 25 November 2014 notifying the person named of the error and outlining what is required in order to finalise the application for payment.
I have arranged for the query letter to be reissued. Upon receipt of a satisfactory reply any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
221. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that he has engaged the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the provision of long-term leases to farmers on national park lands to allow them qualify for the new GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46930/14]
View answerOfficials from my Department have had initial discussions with colleagues in the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding this matter and further discussions will take place over the coming weeks with a view to reaching a workable and satisfactory resolution of this issue.
222. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46931/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas scheme application on 7 April 2014. Processing of this application has recently been finalised and payment due will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
