Written Answers Nos. 371-386
371. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the number of green low-carbon agri-environment scheme planners approved and registered with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11781/15]
View answerThe process implemented by my Department to register consultants and advisers to file Plans under the GLAS Scheme for farmers ensures that the persons, who apply for registration, have the appropriate qualifications, have undertaken the required training and have been authorised by the farmer clients to act on their behalf. In order to be registered as GLAS Planner, a person must satisfy the following requirements:
- Must have attended and completed satisfactorily at the FÁS training course.
- Have also attended the GLAS module of the FÁS training.
- If the person was not already on the existing FÁS approved listing, he or she is required to submit educational qualifications.
- The educational qualifications must be such that the persons are eligible for registration as a FÁS adviser.
- The person must submit application forms to be registered as a FÁS adviser and as a GLAS planner.
My Department has processed all of the applications received for registration as a GLAS planner and has authorised 477 advisers/consultants as registered GLAS planners. Any outstanding case either does not meet the eligibility requirements already outlined or is in the process of supplying the required documentation to support the application for registration.
372. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the expenditure to date under each measure or heading of the rural development programme 2007-13; the proposed expenditure under each subhead of the rural development plan 2014-20 lodged with his Department in autumn 2014 and as published at the time by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11782/15]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 is broken down into 5 Axes. The first axis addresses Competitiveness in Agriculture and has spent a total of €362m up to the end of 2014. Axis 2 of the RDP addresses Environment and Land Management objectives. This axis includes measures such as REPS, AEOS, Less Favoured Areas etc. The spend on these measures totals €3,590m until the end of 2014.
Axes 3 and 4 of the RDP fund measures in the Wider Rural Economy (LEADER measures) which come under the responsibility of my colleague Minister Kelly. Spending on these measures amounted to €303m up to the end of 2014.
Finally Axis 5 provides for technical assistance to the RDP. This axis has spent €2.3m up to the end of 2014.
The Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) sets out the breakdown of EU support for rural development for each Member State for the years 2014 – 2020. Ireland's total EAFRD allocation for rural development is some €2.19 billion (or some €313 million per annum), as agreed at the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations in 2013. EU funding amounts are combined with national co-funding to provide for each Member State's RDP.
The MFF is subject to a formal amendment process at EU level for RDPs approved in 2015. However, the average amount of EU support per annum remains the same. It has been agreed that a letter of comfort will issue to Member States who have informally agreed their RDP with the Commission in 2015 but where formal adoption of the RDP will be delayed by amendments to the MFF.
The main headings of expenditure in Ireland's draft RDP are €1.3bn in respect of Areas of Natural Constraint, €1.4bn in respect of Agri-Environment Schemes (including transitional expenditure), €112m in respect of a range of knowledge transfer measures, €295m in respect of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, €395m in respect of support for on farm capital investment, €56m in respect of support for Organic Farming, €3m in support for collaborative farming arrangements, €250m for LEADER funding, and €6m in respect of technical assistance to support the implementation of the RDP.
Detailed discussions and intensive negotiations have been ongoing between my Department and the Commission in recent months in order to secure agreement on the new RDP. Ireland's RDP has now been formally resubmitted to the EU Commission where it has entered the Commission's final round of inter-services consultation. When this process is complete, the schemes and supports contained in Ireland's RDP will be rolled out in line with the annual budgetary process.
373. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the financial allocations in his Department's Estimates for 2015 by total European Union spend and by national spend, under the various elements of the rural development plan 2014-20; the dates it is expected to commence each element of the rural development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11783/15]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) sets out the breakdown of EU support for rural development for each Member State for the years 2014 – 2020. Ireland's total EAFRD allocation for rural development is some €2.19 billion (or some €313 million per annum), as agreed at the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations in 2013. EU funding amounts are combined with national co-funding to provide for each Member State's RDP.
The MFF is subject to a formal amendment process at EU level for RDPs approved in 2015. However, the average amount of EU support per annum remains the same. It has been agreed that a letter of comfort will issue to Member States who have informally agreed their RDP with the Commission in 2015 but where formal adoption of the RDP will be delayed by amendments to the MFF.
Detailed discussions and intensive negotiations have been ongoing between my Department and the Commission in order to secure agreement on the new RDP. Ireland's draft RDP has now been formally resubmitted to the EU Commission where it will undergo the Commission's final inter-services consultation. When this process is complete, the schemes and supports contained in Ireland's RDP will be rolled out in line with the annual budgetary process.
In relation to 2015, the following amounts are included in my Department's estimate for RDP schemes.
|
Scheme |
2015 Estimate allocations (€m) |
|
Areas Of Natural Constraint (ANC) |
195 |
|
Agri- Environmental Schemes (including transitional expenditure on REPS and AEOS) |
149 |
|
Beef Data & Genomics Programme |
52 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Measures (TAMS) |
34 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
8 |
|
Technical assistance |
1 |
|
Total |
439 |
The above figures include allocations for expenditure in relation to The Early Retirement Scheme and TAMS in 2015 which will be funded under the 2007 – 2013 Programme. The standard co-financing rate applied to the measures in the draft RDP is 53%, with higher rates of 56% applied to expenditure under Measure 10 (Agri-Environment and Climate) and 65% applied to Measure 19 (LEADER) which is delivered via the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The actual rate of drawdown over the period may vary as the financial plan is subject to ongoing management and review.
374. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the amount of money being provided for local authority harbour development, marine leisure and storm damage in 2015, by county, compared to 2014; the projects that will be funded this year in each county; if these projects have not yet been decided, when this is likely to happen; if all projects have to be completed within the calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11785/15]
View answerLocal Authorities harbours, piers and slipways are owned by the Local Authorities themselves and responsibility for their repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department, however provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
In 2014 I allocated €3m in funding to the Local Authorities under our regular Capital Programme. Furthermore as part of the overall Governments response to the extreme weather conditions in late 2013 and early 2014, as a once off exceptional measure I allocated an additional €7m for a “Storm Damage Programme”. In total €7.466m was spent by Local Authorities under these programmes.
Table 1 details the total funding allocations and final eligible expenditure levels by the Local Authorities under our 2014 programmes. For 2015 I have allocated €1.5 million for a Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure Programme. I am also providing in the region of €1.4m to facilitate the completion of a number of Local Authority Storm Damage Projects which were approved in 2014 but not completed due to time constraints and other issues. My Department has contacted the Local Authorities regarding these schemes.
The closing date for submission of projects by the Local Authorities for the Harbour Development and Marine Leisure Programme is the 25th March. Decisions on the final make-up of the 2015 Local Authority capital programmes will be made following a detailed evaluation process on the projects proposed by the Local Authorities. The projects approved will have to be completed within the calendar year.
Table 1
|
Local Authority |
2014 Approvals |
2014 Final Expenditure |
|
Clare County Council |
€232,650 |
€232,389 |
|
Cork City Council |
€187,500 |
€0 |
|
Cork County Council |
€915,700 |
€709,454 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€1,267,750 |
€747,793 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€11,250 |
€0 |
|
Galway County Council |
€2,241,000 |
€2,145,846 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€313,290 |
€301,882 |
|
Louth County Council |
€84,750 |
€20,712 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€1,772,100 |
€1,739,622 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€150,300 |
€150,121 |
|
Waterford County Council |
€768,000 |
€511,046 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€1,820,400 |
€710,515 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€198,900 |
€196,766 |
|
Local Authority Programme Total |
€9,963,590 |
€7,466,146 |
375. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the number of occasions since the start of 2014 in which the Secretary General of his Department has been involved in the clearing or approval of material for release under freedom of information legislation. [11792/15]
View answerAs provided for in Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, my Department has delegated decision making functions to civil servants of grades not lower than Higher Executive Officer (and other equivalent grades). Internal review decision making functions are delegated to grades not lower than Assistant Principal Officer (and other equivalent grades). The internal review decision maker is, of course, always a more senior member of the staff than the original decision maker.
The Secretary General of my Department has no involvement in the decision making process.
376. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will issue all outstanding payments in respect of a person (details supplied); the reasons for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11808/15]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and has received payments for the entire six years of their contract. The REPS 4 contract is now complete and there are no further payments to be made.
377. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 3 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1st May 2013 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
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 are currently being finalised in respect of the 2014 scheme year and I expect 75% payment to issue shortly. The balancing 25% payment will follow thereafter.
378. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his views on the broadening of the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme to allow more farmers avail of it (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11832/15]
View answerGLAS is an agri-environment climate measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Its aim is to deliver environmental benefits which will protect and enhance our biodiversity and water quality and which will raise awareness of and encourage actions which mitigate the effects of climate change. The scheme as now presented contains actions which will deliver the expected environmental dividends and is the result of widespread consultation with stakeholders and of protracted negotiations with the Commission.
GLAS offers a wide range of actions to farmers, some of which require reduced inputs such as Low Input Permanent Pasture. Farmers taking these actions are paid on the basis of income foregone as a result of complying with the specification. In the case of Low Input Permanent Pasture, for instance, this payment is €314 per hectare and if the specification was to be reduced to allow more fertiliser to be applied, that payment would also now have to be reduced.
However, there is a wide range of actions to choose from in GLAS, most of which do not require reduced fertiliser application. I have provided for 50,000 farmers to join the Scheme and there is scope within that number for participants from all types of farming systems, including those with small holdings.
379. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive payment under the Agri Environment Options Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1st September 2011.
A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation is now underway into this matter and the application of the person named is included in this investigation.
Further payments to AEOS participants included in this review are being withheld for the time being. My Department wrote to each of the applicants concerned on 28 January to explain the situation. Decisions on any future payment cannot be taken until the findings of the investigation are to hand.
380. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out his plans to run an awareness campaign with regard to the necessity of cleaning out water troughs in fields (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11852/15]
View answerOn-farm routine hygiene protocols such as regular cleaning of water troughs is only one element of farm bio security that merits attention by every livestock farmer in the country and, in this regard, my Department provides information on its website regarding Tuberculosis disease eradication policy which outlines the importance of providing drinking water for cattle from a clean source. This can be accessed at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrols/tuberculosistbandbrucellosis/diseaseeradicationpolicy/TBLeaflet2014Final250314.pdf.
Animal Health Ireland also has a role in promoting bio-security on farms and I would in particular draw attention to the following leaflets:
- Purchasing Stock: Reducing Disease Risks
- Bio exclusion
- Understanding Infectious Diseases
These are available on the Animal Health Ireland website at - www.Animalhealthireland.ie. Teagasc also address the issue in its publication on Animal Welfare Guidelines for Beef Cattle Farms which can be accessed at http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2008/20081022/animalwelfareguidelines.asp.
381. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if organic farmers will receive a grant for a fodder growing system. [11890/15]
View answerUnder the Rural Development Programme I have proposed the introduction of a new Organic Farming Scheme to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food. The principal support will be an annual area-based payment per hectare over a 5 year contract period. This rate is comprised of a higher payment for farmers converting land to organic farming for the first time, payable for the initial two year conversion period, with a greatly increased maintenance payment thereafter.
In recognition of the high cost of feed in the organic sector I have proposed the inclusion of an additional top-up payment of €30/ha to incentivise the growing of red clover as a source of high-protein, high dry-matter organic fodder and for its environmental benefits as a natural nitrogen-fixer.
The increased payment rates which are proposed for the different organic sectors are designed to compensate for additional costs incurred and income foregone by organic farmers. In addition to the Organic Farming Scheme, I am proposing a dedicated Capital Grant Scheme specifically for organic farmers. This will be based on the model developed under the last Programme which proved very effective in enabling organic farmers to purchase the specialist equipment they required. My Department has no plans to incorporate a fodder production system into the proposed list of grant aided equipment under this new scheme at this time.
382. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding agricultural advice and planning and the timeframe for the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/15]
View answerAt the outset, I wish to acknowledge the importance of the role of Agricultural advisers in terms of GLAS. Their professional expertise and experience are vital to the preparation of reliable GLAS applications that fully comply with regulatory and scheme requirements. That is why I have made it mandatory for all GLAS applications to be submitted by an approved GLAS adviser.
The negotiations with the European Commission in relation to the details of the Scheme were long and protracted, which is why the earliest date I could open it was 23rd February, 2015. I appreciate that the deadline of 30th April for submission of applications under GLAS is tight but there was no real opportunity to extend this without impinging upon the regulatory deadline for direct payment applications generally, which has been fixed for many years now as 15 May. With this in mind, I have been working closely with colleagues in Europe to see can this regulatory deadline be extended and I am delighted to say that we have achieved some flexibility on this front, with the European Commission extending the overall deadline up until 15th June, 2015. In deciding whether to now extend the GLAS deadline, I will take account of the feedback from farmers and advisers, the need for the efficient management of the different Departmental on-line systems and the effect, if any, on commencement dates in GLAS.
As regards the question of the training of advisers for GLAS, training days were held in several locations throughout the country in November and February and were very well attended. In terms of the GLAS on-line system, this system has been custom-built to allow advisers to access their clients' lands, with pre-determined assets and characteristics on those farms identified in order to aid the adviser in choosing the correct actions. The system is designed to streamline the application process, with built-in validations to assist in the preparation of the application. From the feedback received the system is relatively easy to navigate, once the user follows the user manual provided. In addition there is a dedicated GLAS e-mail address and Lo Call phone number which deals with any queries farmers or advisers may have in relation to the Scheme or in relation to the on-line application system. My officials are dealing with these queries promptly and any issues arising are examined and acted upon if necessary. Furthermore, information sessions on GLAS and the BPS Scheme which commenced on 16th February, 2015 are being rolled out across the country and are open to all to attend and my officials are available for question and answer sessions at these meetings.
The issue of Commonage Management Plans is one which my officials have dealt with at Commonage Information meetings held at various regional locations in September and October of last year. A dedicated and separate session was held for advisers in most locations, at which it was outlined that in order for these plans to realise an environmental return on these hills, one cohesive plan for all participating GLAS shareholders was needed. This, of necessity, means one Master Commonage adviser, who has responsibility for deciding, along with shareholders, the activities and stocking densities suitable to the entire commonage. It is not feasible for all GLAS advisers to draw up an individual Commonage Management Plan for their clients and it would not be acceptable on environmental grounds.
My officials will be in direct contact with the adviser who raised these issues to answer the specific technical questions addressed directly to them in relation to the operation of GLAS.
383. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments for the 2013 and 2014 under the single payment scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry following a successful review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11917/15]
View answerA 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 on 25 September 2014 and advised of the right of appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee. The results of the verification visit were processed and any additional amounts due under the 2013 and 2014 Single Payment Scheme will issue to the person named shortly.
384. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the spend as proposed by him to the European Commission in the rural development plan application on each measure of the new plan 2014-20, broken down between national and European spend; the annual forecast for spend on each measure for the years 2014-23; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11925/15]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) sets out the breakdown of EU support for rural development for each Member State for the years 2014 – 2020. Ireland's total EAFRD allocation for rural development is some €2.19 billion (or some €313 million per annum), as agreed at the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations in 2013. EU funding amounts are combined with national co-funding to provide for each Member State's RDP.
The MFF is subject to a formal amendment process at EU level for RDPs approved in 2015. However, the average amount of EU support per annum remains the same. It has been agreed that a letter of comfort will issue to Member States who have informally agreed their RDP with the Commission in 2015 but where formal adoption of the RDP will be delayed by amendments to the MFF.
The main headings of expenditure in Ireland's draft RDP are €1.3bn in respect of Areas of Natural Constraint, €1.4bn in respect of Agri-Environment Schemes (including transitional expenditure), €112m in respect of a range of knowledge transfer measures, €295m in respect of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, €395m in respect of support for on farm capital investment, €56m in respect of support for organic farming, €3m in support for collaborative farming arrangements, €250m for LEADER funding, and €6m in respect of technical assistance to support the implementation of the RDP. The standard co-financing rate applied to these measures in the draft RDP is 53%, with higher rates of 56% applied to expenditure under Measure 10 (Agri-Environment and Climate) and 65% applied to Measure 19 (LEADER). The actual rate of drawdown over the period may vary as the financial plan is subject to ongoing management and review.
Detailed discussions and intensive negotiations have been ongoing between my Department and the Commission in recent months in order to secure agreement on the new RDP. Ireland's RDP has now been formally resubmitted to the EU Commission where it has entered the Commission's final round of inter-services consultation. When this process is complete, the schemes and supports contained in Ireland's RDP will be rolled out in line with the annual budgetary process.
385. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the total number of farmers who received a financial penalty on their 2014 disadvantaged areas scheme or single payment scheme application; the estimated value of these penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/15]
View answerThe following tabular statement outlines the number of farmers, whose payments under the 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Area Scheme, were subjected to deductions and sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the governing EU Regulations and the total value of the deductions.
|
County |
2014 Single Payment Scheme |
Amount Deducted € |
2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme |
Amount Deducted € |
|
CARLOW |
51 |
54,732 |
48 |
6,098 |
|
CAVAN |
140 |
66,458 |
251 |
49,387 |
|
CLARE |
225 |
220,056 |
335 |
64,090 |
|
CORK |
455 |
475,259 |
477 |
97,874 |
|
DONEGAL |
221 |
117,095 |
510 |
115,092 |
|
DUBLIN |
27 |
17,273 |
15 |
1,761 |
|
GALWAY |
381 |
230,406 |
739 |
163,442 |
|
KERRY |
234 |
220,903 |
404 |
104,620 |
|
KILDARE |
57 |
26,691 |
24 |
2,241 |
|
KILKENNY |
126 |
169,586 |
117 |
18,913 |
|
LAOIS |
79 |
59,632 |
122 |
21,542 |
|
LEITRIM |
83 |
41,876 |
256 |
46,610 |
|
LIMERICK |
141 |
148,987 |
137 |
28,088 |
|
LONGFORD |
50 |
41,054 |
141 |
16,400 |
|
LOUTH |
36 |
54,505 |
34 |
9,382 |
|
MAYO |
330 |
192,422 |
704 |
142,968 |
|
MEATH |
120 |
137,244 |
63 |
10,736 |
|
MONAGHAN |
125 |
72,825 |
269 |
38,012 |
|
OFFALY |
77 |
73,734 |
132 |
25,897 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
144 |
96,108 |
278 |
48,429 |
|
SLIGO |
102 |
54,431 |
251 |
49,420 |
|
TIPPERARY |
260 |
273,626 |
269 |
36,342 |
|
WATERFORD |
96 |
179,276 |
61 |
7,604 |
|
WESTMEATH |
81 |
62,974 |
134 |
14,977 |
|
WEXFORD |
130 |
154,470 |
88 |
16,345 |
|
WICKLOW |
96 |
74,439 |
115 |
23,619 |
386. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11946/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1st May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
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 full payment has issued to the person named – 75% payment issued on the 20th March 2015 and the balancing 25% payment issued on the 23rd March 2015.
