James Bannon
Question:273. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to encourage foreign companies to set up in Longford and Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2670/15]
View answerForeign Direct Investment
Questions (273)
Written answers
I am informed by IDA Ireland that Mullingar and Longford are marketed by the Agency as part of IDA Ireland’s Midlands Region, which consists of counties Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon.
The Midlands has a strong cluster of Medical Technologies and Life Sciences companies (Abbott, Covidien, Integra, GeneMedix, Freund, Utah, KCI, AMS) and International Business Services companies (Teleflex, AXA, NPD Group and PPD). These international brands are an attraction for additional companies to potentially locate to the Midlands.
There are 35 IDA Ireland client companies based in the Midlands Region, employing in the region of 3,800 across the Region. Of these, 6 are located in Co. Longford and employ 560 people and a further 16 companies are located in Co. Westmeath and employ 2,300 people.
A digital marketing campaign is in place to market the Midlands Region to potential investors and this is used overseas by IDA executives to showcase potential locations within the Midlands Region including Mullingar and Longford.
The Succeed in Ireland initiative, which was launched by the Government as part of the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs, is designed to lead to additional job creation over and above IDA Ireland targets. The scheme is delivered on behalf of IDA Ireland by Connect Ireland to support any potential investors identified to locate here. One such success under the Scheme has been Arc Consulting who are now located in Longford.
I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential. A key element of this process is the Regional Enterprise Forum, which I chaired in Athlone on 19 December last. I hope to publish the framework strategy shortly. The Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Additionally, IDA Ireland is currently finalising its new strategy to cover the 5-year period from 2015. I look forward in the coming weeks to launching this strategy which will detail the goals and the broad direction IDA Ireland will take to accomplish those goals over the next five years.
The following revised reply was received on 29 January 2015
I am informed by IDA Ireland that Mullingar and Longford are marketed by the Agency as part of IDA Ireland’s Midlands Region, which consists of counties Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon.
The Midlands has a strong cluster of Medical Technologies and Life Sciences companies (Abbott, Covidien, Integra, GeneMedix, Freund, Utah, KCI, AMS) and International Business Services companies (Teleflex, AXA, NPD Group and PPD). These international brands are an attraction for additional companies to potentially locate to the Midlands.
There are 43 IDA Ireland client companies based in the Midlands Region, employing in the region of 4,800 across the Region. Of these, 6 are located in Co. Longford and employ 650 people and a further 16 companies are located in Co. Westmeath and employ 2,405 people.
A digital marketing campaign is in place to market the Midlands Region to potential investors and this is used overseas by IDA executives to showcase potential locations within the Midlands Region including Mullingar and Longford.
The Succeed in Ireland initiative, which was launched by the Government as part of the 2012 Action Plan for Jobs is designed to lead to additional job creation over and above IDA Ireland targets. The scheme is delivered on behalf of IDA Ireland by Connect Ireland to support any potential investors identified to locate here. One such success under the Scheme has been Arc Consulting who are now located in Longford.
I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential. A key element of this process is the Regional Enterprise Forum, which I chaired in Athlone on 19th December last. I hope to publish the framework strategy shortly. The Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Additionally, IDA Ireland is currently finalising its new strategy to cover the 5-year period from 2015. I look forward in the coming weeks to launching this strategy which will detail the goals and the broad direction IDA Ireland will take to accomplish those goals over the next five years.
Enterprise Support Schemes
Questions (274)
James Bannon
Question:274. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of small businesses in counties Longford and Westmeath that have availed of the microfinance scheme for small businesses since it was initiated in 2012; the total number of firms approved; the number of jobs envisaged that will be created in total by these firms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2671/15]
View answerWritten answers
As requested by the Deputy, please find below information on Microfinance Ireland (MFI):
Fund to end of September 2014
|
County |
Applications |
Applications approved |
Jobs |
|
Longford |
10 |
2 |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
18 |
10 |
30 |
My Department publishes quarterly progress reports on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie. The progress report detailing the analysis and performance up to the quarterly period ending 30 September 2014 is available on the Department’s website. I intend to publish the report for the period 31 December 2014, once this report has been finalised.
National Minimum Wage
Questions (275, 277)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:275. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to increase the national minimum wage during the lifetime of this Government. [2683/15]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:277. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will limit the remit of the low pay commission to considering the national minimum wage. [2760/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 277 together.
The Statement of Government Priorities 2014–2016 includes a commitment to establish a Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis as an independent body to make annual recommendations to the Government about the appropriate level of the minimum wage and related matters.
To this end, on 14 January last the Government approved the General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the establishment, composition, functioning and terms of reference of the Low Pay Commission.
With a view to ensuring that the Low Pay Commission is in a position to carry out its functions as soon as possible, Ged Nash TD, the Minister for Business and Employment will, in the coming weeks, establish the Low Pay Commission on an interim administrative basis. It is intended that the interim membership will constitute the Commission when it is established on a statutory basis.
The legislation to provide for the establishment of the Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis will be published as soon as possible with a view to its enactment in early 2015.
The principal function of the Low Pay Commission will be, on an annual basis, to examine and make recommendations to the Minister on the national minimum wage. The Commission will be required to make recommendations that are evidence-based and will be required also to analyse relevant data and to monitor trends. It is proposed that the Minister will act within three months of receipt of a recommendation from the Commission in relation to the National Minimum Wage. I should not pre-empt what the recommendations will be.
Alongside examining the National Minimum Wage, the Low Pay Commission will also be tasked with examining matters related generally to the functions of the Commission under the Act. This work programme will be agreed by Government and presented to the Commission no later than two months after the start of each year.
The Commission will also be required every 3 years to report generally on the operation of the National Minimum Wage Act, including in particular on the impact of orders made under this Act on low pay, income distribution and employment costs.
Trade Agreements
Questions (276)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:276. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in view of the findings of the EU Commission consultation process, if he will reconsider his support for the provision of investor state dispute settlements in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. [2688/15]
View answerWritten answers
The EU Commission published its report on the results of the public consultation on investment protection in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on 13 January, 2015. The report, along with explanatory material, can be found at http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1234
The Commission has indicated that, based on the comments received, there are a number of areas that appear to be particularly important to respondents, which represent four areas of work that should be explored further. These are: the protection of the right to regulate; the establishment and functioning of arbitral tribunals; the relationship between domestic judicial systems and Investor to State Dispute Settlement (ISDS); and the review of ISDS decisions for legal correctness through an appellate mechanism.
The EU Commission has indicated that, in the first quarter of 2015, it will be discussing the report with Member States and the European Parliament, and with different stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, business, trade unions, consumer and environment organisations. The Commission has further indicated that, following these consultations, it will develop specific proposals for the TTIP negotiations.
I very much welcome this approach, and I believe that it is important to take time to have open and constructive discussion following the Commission’s report that will inform the next steps.
At this stage, there are no negotiations taking place with the United States on this aspect of the proposed agreement.
Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 275.
Job Creation Data
Questions (278, 279)
Gabrielle McFadden
Question:278. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of job creation project submissions in counties Westmeath and Longford, respectively, made to date as part of the midlands regional enterprise strategy; the number of these that are or will be actively supported and how; the category of projects submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2806/15]
View answerGabrielle McFadden
Question:279. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has set specific job creation targets in counties Westmeath and Longford, respectively, as part of the midlands regional enterprise strategy; if so, if he will outline those targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2807/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.
The objective of the Regional Enterprise Strategies, which will be developed for all regions of the country on a phased basis, is to build on the strengths and opportunities of each region in order to support entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and job creation.
Achieving this objective can best be achieved through better co-ordination and collaboration by all stakeholders operating within each region, including the enterprise agencies, Local Authorities, education and skills providers, other public bodies, and enterprise itself.
The first Regional Enterprise Strategy to be published will cover the Midlands region. Over the past number of months, officials from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and my Department have been involved in a series of engagements with the main stakeholder groups in the Midlands to discuss the strengths and opportunities that can be built upon to support enterprise and jobs growth in that region.
As part of the consultation process, a major stakeholder Forum was held in Athlone on 19 December last. The aim of the Forum was to identify practical actions that could be taken by the public sector or the business sector to progress the key issues which were identified by stakeholders as important to support job creation in the Midlands. Feedback from the Forum was captured in a structured way and participants were also invited to submit any additional ideas or proposals to a dedicated mail box in my Department - midlands.strategy@djei.ie.
All proposals received, either through the Stakeholder Forum, or in subsequent submissions, are being examined by my officials who are currently finalising the preparation of the Regional Enterprise Strategy for the Midlands. The process is concentrated on identifying practical actions that can be taken in the short-to-medium term, and broadly within existing resources, to improve the operating environment for businesses.
Last week, the Government set out its ambition to achieve full employment by 2018. Achieving this objective will be supported by each region realising its economic potential. In a similar fashion to the annual Action Plan for Jobs the Regional Enterprise Strategies will identify measures that can be taken to enable the region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs, building on its existing competitive strengths.
IDA Portfolio
Questions (280)
Gabrielle McFadden
Question:280. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will establish with the Industrial Development Agency the number of companies located at the business and technology park in Mullingar, County Westmeath; the efforts the IDA has made in the past 12 months to attract investors to the park, including current active leads; the plans the IDA has to attract investors to the park in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/15]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed by IDA Ireland that there is one IDA client company, Patterson Pumps, located in the Mullingar Business and Technology Park. This park is fully zoned and serviced and having a company located on the park makes it a more attractive proposition to present to other potential investors.
IDA Ireland markets Mullingar as part of IDA Ireland’s Midlands Region, which consists of counties Longford, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon. The Midlands Region has a strong cluster in Medical Technologies and Life Sciences companies (Abbott, Covidien, Integra, GeneMedix, Freund, Utah, KCI, AMS) and a number of International Business Services companies (Teleflex, AXA, NPD Group and PPD). These international brands are an attraction for additional companies to potentially locate to the Midlands.
At the end of 2014, there were 35 IDA Ireland client companies located across the midlands region, employing 3,800 people in full and part time employment, with 16 of those companies employing 2,300 people located in Westmeath.
In order to support its marketing effort, the IDA has invested in specific marketing materials for the region and has launched the digital Invest in Midlands initiative, which is used by the IDA regional and overseas teams to market what the Midlands has to offer a potential investor, and covers all aspects of the region such as the clusters of companies, business parks, infrastructure, talent, lifestyle and the overall business environment offered by the region.
During 2014 IDA Ireland arranged 13 site visits by potential investors to the Midlands Region. The IDA has informed me that although there are no specific current active leads in relation to the Park in Mullingar, it is also important to note that it can take between 3 and 5 years in some cases for a project to come on stream.
I have been working with my Department on the development of a framework for the formulation of Regional Enterprise Strategies that will enable us to identify the sustainable competitive strengths of each region and to better integrate the efforts of the enterprise development agencies and other regional stakeholders in supporting enterprise growth and jobs in areas of potential. A key element of this process is the Regional Enterprise Forum, which I chaired in Athlone on 19 December last. I hope to publish the framework strategy shortly. The Regional strategy will be rolled out firstly in the Midlands before being rolled out in other regions and will include specific actions and targets on the part of my Department, the enterprise development agencies and other public bodies to promote enterprise growth and job creation in the region.
Additionally, IDA Ireland is currently finalising its new strategy to cover the 5-year period from 2015. I look forward in the coming weeks to launching this strategy which will detail the goals and the broad direction IDA Ireland will take to accomplish those goals over the next five years.
Enterprise Ireland
Questions (281)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:281. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Enterprise Ireland jobs in each county in the State for each of the past five years; and the monetary value of EI investment in each county in the State for the past five years. [2811/15]
View answerWritten answers
Enterprise Ireland’s mission is to partner with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland's international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. The ultimate objective is increased employment and prosperity in Ireland.
The companies that Enterprise Ireland works with are a vital source of employment in every county and region across Ireland.
In 2014, EI assisted companies generated 19,705 new jobs. This resulted in a net increase of 8,476 in the total number of people employed by Enterprise Ireland supported companies, the highest net gain in the history of the Agency.
At the end of 2014, total direct employment (full and part time) in Enterprise Ireland client companies stood at 180,072 in 2014. Of these, 156,202 are full-time jobs, while 23,870 are part-time. These full-time employment and total employment levels are the highest recorded in the history of the agency.
This continuation of employment growth demonstrates clearly the direct impact that increasing exports has on jobs in Ireland. Enterprise Ireland supported companies now, directly and indirectly, account for more than 300,000 jobs in the Irish economy - 16% of total workforce.
Employment data for Enterprise Ireland is collected annually as part of the Annual Employment Survey which measures the number of jobs in Agency assisted clients.
Table 1 identifies the breakdown of employment by county for the past five years.
Table 2 outlines a breakdown of payments by Enterprise Ireland between 2010 and 2014, broken down by county.
Table 1: Permanent Full Time Employment by County 2010-2014.
|
County |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
2,154 |
2,250 |
2,137 |
2,227 |
2,472 |
|
Cavan |
5,438 |
5,310 |
4,151 |
3,794 |
4,048 |
|
Clare |
1,547 |
1,493 |
1,580 |
2,501 |
2,789 |
|
Cork |
15,513 |
17,245 |
18,629 |
19,775 |
20,266 |
|
Donegal |
2,678 |
2,796 |
2,655 |
2,624 |
2,582 |
|
Dublin |
45,592 |
47,281 |
50,159 |
51,224 |
51,147 |
|
Galway |
5,440 |
5,782 |
6,063 |
5,896 |
5,930 |
|
Kerry |
3,085 |
3,123 |
3,318 |
3,329 |
3,627 |
|
Kildare |
4,512 |
4,772 |
5,450 |
5,869 |
7,086 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,834 |
2,848 |
3,089 |
3,001 |
3,314 |
|
Laois |
1,041 |
973 |
929 |
954 |
1,036 |
|
Leitrim |
542 |
539 |
574 |
567 |
689 |
|
Limerick |
6,175 |
6,033 |
6,279 |
6,134 |
6,321 |
|
Longford |
1,577 |
1,529 |
1,557 |
1,632 |
1,984 |
|
Louth |
4,218 |
4,482 |
4,328 |
4,379 |
4,797 |
|
Mayo |
2,884 |
3,056 |
3,054 |
3,236 |
3,286 |
|
Meath |
4,109 |
4,329 |
4,771 |
5,179 |
5,686 |
|
Monaghan |
3,199 |
3,260 |
3,463 |
3,572 |
4,170 |
|
Offaly |
2,778 |
2,825 |
2,699 |
2,837 |
3,145 |
|
Roscommon |
1,177 |
1,160 |
1,119 |
1,353 |
1,436 |
|
Sligo |
1,318 |
1,314 |
1,508 |
1,568 |
1,612 |
|
Tipperary North Riding |
2,284 |
2,243 |
2,162 |
2,121 |
2,142 |
|
Tipperary South Riding |
2,661 |
2,304 |
2,151 |
2,098 |
1,997 |
|
Waterford |
4,982 |
5,004 |
4,063 |
4,176 |
4,635 |
|
Westmeath |
2,119 |
2,180 |
2,352 |
2,610 |
3,047 |
|
Wexford |
4,138 |
4,018 |
3,881 |
4,040 |
4,008 |
|
Wicklow |
3,246 |
3,079 |
3,339 |
3,022 |
2,950 |
|
TOTAL |
137,241 |
141,228 |
145,460 |
149,718 |
156,202 |
Source: Annual Employment Survey Results 2010,2011,2012,2013 & 2014
Table 2 : Breakdown of payments by Enterprise Ireland between 2010 and 2014 by county.
|
Payments by County |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Carlow |
2,109,613 |
1,772,399 |
1,552,601 |
1,746,741 |
1,071,782 |
|
Cavan |
7,360,019 |
3,297,902 |
1,711,863 |
1,471,741 |
2,158,493 |
|
Clare |
3,000,096 |
1,233,199 |
745,426 |
415,896 |
1,770,661 |
|
Cork City |
4,798,160 |
4,549,672 |
5,045,815 |
2,946,924 |
2,613,325 |
|
Cork County |
12,446,728 |
7,513,210 |
14,288,169 |
11,028,142 |
7,643,338 |
|
Donegal |
2,832,444 |
2,458,832 |
1,580,614 |
2,972,771 |
1,050,675 |
|
Dublin City |
27,351,010 |
21,989,995 |
17,328,795 |
19,897,598 |
21,609,024 |
|
Dublin Fingal |
4,198,672 |
4,485,511 |
3,808,797 |
2,913,345 |
3,102,663 |
|
Dublin South County |
7,662,775 |
3,688,305 |
3,741,118 |
3,557,111 |
3,223,865 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
9,177,414 |
9,813,736 |
7,974,585 |
5,627,424 |
5,293,535 |
|
Galway |
7,751,711 |
4,773,425 |
4,968,252 |
4,694,128 |
4,212,483 |
|
Kerry |
1,321,740 |
2,519,140 |
696,369 |
1,676,994 |
2,474,797 |
|
Kildare |
5,562,439 |
1,963,843 |
1,505,393 |
2,765,917 |
2,676,734 |
|
Kilkenny |
4,364,075 |
2,160,992 |
2,521,221 |
1,327,152 |
6,210,826 |
|
Laois |
1,301,282 |
790,168 |
333,399 |
423,476 |
442,835 |
|
Leitrim |
314,242 |
53,869 |
314,386 |
102,679 |
651,154 |
|
Limerick |
5,586,446 |
3,751,621 |
3,527,878 |
2,817,733 |
2,948,828 |
|
Longford |
463,178 |
2,774,239 |
1,336,632 |
1,065,363 |
714,642 |
|
Louth |
3,900,699 |
2,233,946 |
2,558,167 |
2,217,070 |
1,607,138 |
|
Mayo |
2,202,585 |
1,735,009 |
1,661,413 |
1,480,439 |
1,803,580 |
|
Meath |
2,504,106 |
1,743,648 |
1,092,749 |
1,203,727 |
2,673,731 |
|
Monaghan |
4,864,538 |
2,499,302 |
4,062,338 |
2,251,418 |
2,407,444 |
|
Offaly |
1,430,447 |
1,275,569 |
1,067,722 |
832,053 |
544,907 |
|
Roscommon |
1,666,124 |
1,182,743 |
451,456 |
560,539 |
406,412 |
|
Sligo |
2,105,365 |
1,257,628 |
1,198,697 |
850,974 |
614,265 |
|
Tipperary North |
1,810,435 |
1,040,906 |
2,519,962 |
547,557 |
1,685,403 |
|
Tipperary South |
3,266,552 |
3,348,270 |
2,697,177 |
2,630,851 |
2,361,302 |
|
Waterford |
3,877,616 |
2,886,155 |
5,817,742 |
2,452,166 |
2,938,540 |
|
Westmeath |
1,562,432 |
1,330,944 |
1,028,296 |
1,476,781 |
1,073,098 |
|
Wexford |
4,773,675 |
3,816,160 |
3,794,257 |
3,276,414 |
1,279,447 |
|
Wicklow |
2,306,538 |
1,617,132 |
1,850,807 |
2,070,183 |
1,509,129 |
|
Grand Total |
143,873,157 |
105,557,468 |
102,782,095 |
89,301,304 |
90,774,053 |
Source : Enterprise Ireland Cognos System - January 2015.
Note: The preceding payments exclude payments to infrastructural clients, Shannon Free Zone Transfer Clients, Incubation Centres and Employment Subsidy Scheme recipients.
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (282)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:282. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when the Companies Bill 2012 will be enacted. [2838/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Companies Act, 2014 was signed into law by the President on 23 December, 2014. While my officials are presently examining the commencement aspects in detail, it is intended that the Act will be commenced with effect from 1 June, 2015.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (283)
Brendan Griffin
Question:283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the remaining 25% of a 2014 agri-environment option scheme 1 payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2220/15]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 September 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
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 2014 Scheme year and 75% payment issued to the person named on 9 December 2014. The balancing 25% payment will follow in early February.
Agriculture Scheme Eligibility
Questions (284)
Seán Kyne
Question:284. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who turned 40 years of age on 27 September 2014 will be eligible to apply for entitlements from the national reserve; or if they are prohibited due to age. [2236/15]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with relevant EU Regulations, priority under the National Reserve will be given to farmers meeting the definition of Young Farmer and New Entrant. In order to be eligible under the Young Farmer category of the National Reserve a farmer must be aged no more than 40 in the first year of submitting an application under the Basic Payment Scheme. The farmer described by the Deputy in this case will turn 41 in the first year of submitting an application under the Basic Payment Scheme, deeming him ineligible as a Young Farmer.
The second National Reserve priority category of New Entrant has no such age restriction. A full list of eligibility criteria for both categories can be found in the Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve on my Department’s website at - http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/nationalreserveandyfs/.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (285)
Paul Connaughton
Question:285. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway had a 50% deduction on their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2267/15]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2014. I can confirm that following the processing of outstanding issues in respect of a commonage parcel declared by the person named, the processing of the application has been completed with payment due to issue shortly directly to his nominated bank account.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Questions (286)
Paul Connaughton
Question:286. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to recruit graduates to his Department in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2268/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently engaged in a workforce planning process in which the future staffing needs of the Department will be forecast for 2015-2017. The workforce Plan will take into account any potential changes in the nature of work carried out by my Department in the coming years which is likely to impact on the level of staffing required and the relevant skills and competences applicable to each post. Until the Workforce Planning process has been completed it is difficult to assess the full level of recruitment which will be necessary in 2015 to fill critical vacancies. I can confirm that 9 graduates have been recruited to date in 2015 by my Department following a competitive process conducted by the Public Appointment Service.
GLAS Establishment
Questions (287)
Brendan Griffin
Question:287. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2283/15]
View answerWritten answers
A database of all commonages is currently being compiled in my Department and is nearing completion. Among the objectives of this process is to bring clarity to the configuration of all commonages in terms of their constituent LPIS parcels, their area and the recorded rights at herdowner level in preparation for the opening of the GLAS programme. It is intended to publish the results of this process very shortly in the form of a comprehensive database which will provide all the key information required for the preparation of GLAS applications, including the items mentioned above. This database will be publicly available on the Department’s website and accessible by all.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (288)
Michael Ring
Question:288. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri-environment options scheme 1 payment as the delay in receiving same is causing undue hardship. [2287/15]
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The person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 November 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
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 2014 Scheme year and 75% payment issued to the person named on 16 January 2015. The balancing 25% payment will follow in due course.
Agriculture Scheme Administration
Questions (289)
Seán Kyne
Question:289. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under the single payment scheme 2015, there will be an appropriate box to indicate lands being grazed by a farmer, including commonage, for which there is no ownership title in the farmer's name, but on which the farmer has grazing rights, as the current forms indicate to declare lands as owned, rented or leased only. [2294/15]
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Applicants should declare the land parcels being grazed as owned/rented/leased in column 8 of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application form. It is not necessary to change the current provisions. If an applicant wishes to submit details relating to grazing rights where he/she does not own, rent or lease the land he/she should do so when applying on-line or by submitting a cover letter with his/her 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application form.