Written Answers Nos. 202-224
202. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the new areas of natural constraint scheme, the terms and conditions in place with regard to those persons who were precluded from the disadvantaged areas scheme in 2012, 2013 and 2014. because of stocking rate issues in 2011; if they will be accepted into the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17233/15]
View answerThe proposed new Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme introduced under the provisions of Rural Development Regulation (EU 1305/2013), requires applicants to maintain 0.15 Livestock units per forage hectare of the holding calculated over the twelve months of the calendar year 2015. The eligibility requirement under the former Disadvantaged Areas Scheme to meet 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 no longer applies from the 2015 scheme year.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding forestry payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/15]
View answerIt is a condition of payment of grant and premiums under the Afforestation Scheme that the applicant must, inter alia, be the registered owner of the lands the subject of the application. In the case of the person named, a portion of the site the subject of his application is not registered in his name and as a consequence payment of the application cannot be made. A check by my Department of the Property Registration Authority’s records indicates that the portion of land remains registered in the name of a third party. My Department has been liaising with the applicant’s registered forester about the options open to him, including the removal of this portion of land from the application, and is awaiting further instructions from them in the matter.
204. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new national strategic plan for aquaculture will include proposals to support and develop the oyster production industry, in view of the current multifaceted difficulties facing the sector; when he expects this strategy to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17262/15]
View answerMy Department is presently finalising a draft National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture. I expect to publish the draft Plan for public consultation in the coming weeks. The draft Plan will examine all issues affecting the aquaculture industry, including the oyster farming sector, and make policy proposals to address those issues.
Any financial assistance for the development of the aquaculture industry will be provided through the new Seafood Development Programme (SDP), co-funded by the Exchequer and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. A public consultation on a draft SDP closed on 1 May 2015. The draft SDP published for consultation proposed investment of €30 million in a number of measures specifically intended to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. My Department is now working to finalise that SDP, having regard to the issues raised during the course of the consultation, with a view to bringing the SDP to Government for approval as soon as possible. The SDP is likely to be adopted later in 2015 by the European Commission.
205. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will allocate resources to expedite the processing of long-standing aquaculture licence applications within the Waterford Estuary once the appropriate assessment phase is completed as such licences are required to access vital capital grant assistance. [17263/15]
View answerMy Department is working with the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to achieve full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives through a multiannual work programme. This programme requires the gathering of the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of aquaculture sites located within designated Natura areas. This data collection programme, which is substantially complete, together with the setting of Conservation Objectives, will enable all new and renewal aquaculture applications to be assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
An Appropriate Assessment has to be carried out before any aquaculture licensing determination may be made in respect of aquaculture applications for sites in designated Natura areas. The Appropriate Assessment process in respect of the Waterford Estuary, which is located within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), is expected to be completed by the Marine Institute in mid/late summer 2015.
When completed, my Department will examine the outcomes of the Appropriate Assessment with a view to formulating policy recommendations in respect of individual licences held by operators in the Estuary. Such policy recommendations will reflect full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each licence application.
The Appropriate Assessment process represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all aquaculture applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.
206. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he envisages that the IT system will be established, in order to allow processing of the agri-environment options scheme payments that have incurred penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17265/15]
View answerAdditional modifications to the AEOS IT System to allow payments in a number of cases where penalties have been incurred are currently being tested. The procedure in question is required to ensure full compatibility with all EU regulations and to provide an enhanced audit trail. Following successful testing, the processing of remaining payments will be made.
207. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to facilitate a proposal from a community development group (details supplied) in County Donegal to establish a social enterprise project and innovation centre in Killybegs in County Donegal on lands currently in the possession of his Department; his further plans, which would see this land being utilised by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/15]
View answerMy Department has met with the Community Development group on two occasions in relation to this issue, which by and large is a Tourism centred initiative.
I have indicated my support for the overall objective of the proposal, which would, if successful facilitate increased tourism, economic activity and job creation in the South Donegal area.
With regard to the availability of a site for this proposal within Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, I would inform the Deputy that properties located in the Fishery Harbour Centres are, when appropriate, offered for tenancy under lease agreement by means of an open competitive tendering process in accordance with good practice and public procurement guidelines.
My Department is preparing and committed to shortly make sites in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre available by means of a Public Tender Process, including the site of interest to the group. These tenders will be publicly advertised and are open to all interested parties including this community development group to respond once the tender is published.
208. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if delegated sanction can be provided to replace staff in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17370/15]
View answerThe announcement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in Budget 2014 in relation to delegated sanction for staffing arrangements will provide greater discretion to Government Departments and state agencies over staffing levels, but strictly within an overall pay framework. In this regard my Department has submitted a Pay and Staff Numbers Strategy to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration in respect of the non-commercial state bodies that operate under the aegis of the Department including Teagasc. It is expected that the delegated sanction arrangements, if approved, may provide some flexibility to fill critical posts within agreed pay ceilings. The allocation of resources to particular advisory locations is an operational matter for Teagasc management.
209. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a review of the utilisation of felling licences Nos. 15843 and 15842, with specific reference to the loss of growing stock as a result of windblow adjacent to wind turbine felling sites, focusing in particular on felling operations in Doughall Forest, Sliabh Bán, having regard to the Code of Best Forest Practice - Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17387/15]
View answerTwo Limited Felling Licences (FL15842 and FL15843) issued to Coillte on 8 August 2014 for various townlands in Co. Roscommon in connection with Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm. Both licences are valid for 2 years from the date of issue. FL15842 carries an obligation to replant alternative specified sites in counties Limerick, Leitrim, Galway and Mayo, while FL15842 carries an obligation to replant the area felled under that licence. There are 7 other General Felling Licences clearfell licences as listed below. These all carry a compulsory replanting condition. There are 2 thinning licences currently in effect for this property, viz. GFL9544 for 0.42 hectares in respect of a forest road, which expires 30 October 2015; and GFLRN09 which is a 5-year licence for the entire Coillte forest RN09, which expires on 31 December 2015. While GFL9544 will result in minor loss of growing stock, this is part of normal forestry operations. The thinning operations under GFLRN09 are to improve growing stock yield.
In relation to all of these licences, the authorised utilisation of these licences is as specified in the licences, with conditions also specified in relation to replanting of the land felled and planting of alternative land (except for the 2 thinning licences); utilisation is therefore governed and limited by the authority granted in the licence and no felling beyond that authority is allowed. Due to the planting conditions, there will be no net loss of growing stock as it will be replaced at the Doughall Forest site and the alternative planting sites.
210. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the adjustments that are being made to allow the many farmers with joint herd numbers, to complete their applications for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, which have been delayed due to the inability of his Department's software to accommodate same; the way such farmers are to be placed on the scheme's planners' schedules in the quickest possible time frame; the further steps that are required to enable this; the extension that will be made to the deadline for farmers whose applications have thereby been delayed through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/15]
View answerThe GLAS online system is a very powerful computer system which provides advisors with the tools to prepare detailed and accurate farm-plans for their clients. The system has no difficulty in accommodating applications from farmers with joint herd numbers.
However, all farmers intending to join the GLAS scheme, including those with joint herd numbers, must first be linked to a GLAS advisor to allow access to their information on relevant Department databases. To enable linking to take place the joint herd owners must first complete and submit a form (DAFM Auth 1) in which both parties authorise the Department to create the necessary link. Once this link has been established there is no difficulty in preparing a GLAS application on their behalf.
I have already extended the closing date from the 30 April 2015 to the 22 May 2015 and I do not envisage any further extension to that. I have also indicated that the scheme will open for a second Tranche of applications in the Autumn.
211. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive an agri-environment options scheme 3 payment. [17472/15]
View answerA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS, was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Garda. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation.
The application of the person named is one of those being reviewed in the context of this wider investigation.
My Department plans to write to all participants with payments held shortly seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, in the amounts declared. Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed.
212. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes, supports, or strategies that are in place to assist tillage producers, in view of the pressure on margins arising from the sharp reduction in crop prices, rising input costs and land rental values, and compliance with new European Union environmental regulations. [17486/15]
View answerThe tillage sector makes a key contribution to the agri-food industry directly through provision of high quality, native grown ingredients to support the development of the livestock, food and drinks sector. Indigenous production of cereals is of course, an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key source of seed production, grain for the milling and malting industry and feeding stuffs for the livestock sector. The long-term average cereal production in Ireland is in the region of 2.2 million tonnes per annum and it is desirable to sustain this level of production in order to avoid over dependence on imported cereals.
The 2014 harvest was estimated in the region of 2.5 million tonnes, well above the long-term average production of 2.2 million tonnes. Since Ireland is a deficit market for cereals, prices here are greatly affected by world prices and supplies. Cereal prices are highly sensitive to global supply and demand, and volatility in prices is likely to become a constant feature of Irish cereal prices in future and grain producers should factor such fluctuations into their planning and marketing strategies.
Fertilisers may constitute up to 50% of input costs for tillage farms, and despite the decrease in the cost of fuel, prices are expected to remain high due to tight world supplies and the falling fertiliser manufacturing capacity in Europe over the past 10 years. World fertiliser supply is tightly matched to demand for 2015 and for the foreseeable future and it is anticipated that world demand will continue to increase into the future, maintaining upward pressure on prices to the final consumer in Ireland.
The fall in the value of the euro against the dollar is also exerting upward pressure on prices. Teagasc estimates that fertiliser costs for Irish farmers will be similar for 2015 to 2014.
Food Harvest 2020 outlined a number of challenges facing the cereal sector in the coming years including price volatility, climatic and disease issues, high input prices, small and fragmented holdings and the cost of rented land. However, the report also pointed to positive projections for cereal prices as markets are relatively well-balanced and world cereal prices are projected to be higher than in the last decade. It is known that global grain production is struggling to meet the increasing demand for food, feed and industrial uses. In addition to a rising global population creating a bigger demand for cereals, an increasing demand for meat is disproportionately increasing grain demand even further.
The primary growth in requirement for Irish cereals in the years ahead is likely to be for animal feed, given the targets for increased livestock output proposed in Food Harvest 2020 and the recent lifting of milk quotas which is expected to give rise to a considerable expansion in the dairy herd, as well as an increased level of feeding and production per livestock unit. However, considerable potential also exists in grains for the drink industry such as malting barley and recent significant investments by the large brewing and distilling companies here in Ireland are proof of such potential. Further, it is envisaged that there will be increased demand for Irish oats milled for human food for the home and export markets and in this context, the success of the Agribusiness sector in securing, long-term contracts with US-based Foods companies to supply milled Irish oats to a premium Irish oatmeal brand in the US market, is particularly welcome.
A consistent supply of protein, grown in Ireland, would give Irish livestock farmers the opportunity to use more natively produced protein feed and to access higher valued markets. Accordingly, I am pleased to confirm that from this year I have introduced a protein coupled aid scheme to expand production of protein crops. The rate of payment per hectare will be €250 /ha with a ceiling of €3 million for any scheme year. The protein crops eligible for aid are peas, beans and sweet lupins. Protein crops will also qualify under the Cap Reform Agreement as Ecological Focus Areas to meet environmental sustainability requirements.
Further support for tillage farmers will be available through the provision of a Knowledge Transfer measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020. I anticipate that the formation and administration of knowledge transfer groups a cross the Beef, Dairy and Equine sectors in 2015 will extend to cover the Poultry, Sheep and Tillage sectors in 2016. The innovative scheme design of this measure will focus on key issues that affect profitability and sustainability of the farm enterprise. Other important issues such as farm safety and farm progression will also be covered by the measure.
My Department also operates a range of services aimed at improving the level of production, quality and viability of the Irish cereal sector. These services include seed certification, seed testing, variety testing and the publication of recommended lists of varieties, research funding through the ‘Stimulus’ competitive research programme and funding for the quality assurance scheme. In addition, Teagasc provides research, training and advisory services for cereal producers.
213. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist barley growers to develop their production, as a local raw material source for existing and future micro-breweries and distilleries within Ireland; and if he will provide an overview of the current size and potential of this segment. [17487/15]
View answerMalting barley production is a valuable and important sector within the agri-food industry. Current production of malt in Ireland is in the region of 120,000 tonnes from 160,000 tonnes plus of contracted malting barley. Future prospects are very positive, primarily due to the growth of Irish Whiskey exports and interest in craft beers which is driving growth in micro-breweries. The Tillage Sector Development Plan published in 2012 identified the potential for growth of the malting sector and an opportunity to expand production of native malting barley by upwards of 100,000 tonnes over time. The extent of any increase will depend on the sustainability of the supply chain and on building strong relationships with customers and markets.
Work is underway on developing an industry-led agri-food development strategy to succeed Food Harvest 2020 and this includes assessing the prospects for individual sectors and which measures would best promote sustained growth and a strong supply chain.
214. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied Teagasc is and will be sufficiently resourced to deliver adequate research and advisory services for the tillage sector, considering the demands placed on it by the new European Union greening requirements; and if he will provide details of the number of Teagasc's staff currently dedicated to tillage farming, by advisory region. [17488/15]
View answerWhilst the moratorium impacted on staff levels, Teagasc retain a complement of over 1,150 staff who deliver research, advisory and education services to the agriculture and food sectors. The distribution of staff is an operational matter for Teagasc.
In light of the constraints on recruitment, Teagasc is re-configuring the way in which it delivers services to farmers through greater use of discussion groups and by leveraging more external resources through sub contracting certain activities to private providers. For example, they recently engaged an external strategic partner (FRS) to deliver GLAS planning services to Teagasc clients.
My Department continues to work closely with Teagasc to evaluate requests for mission critical appointments. Over 50 permanent appointments were authorised outside the moratorium since 2009. A further exception to the moratorium permits Teagasc to recruit ‘non grant in aid’ funded contractors. They currently employ 190 contractors working predominately in research and advisory services. Priority has also been accorded to the recruitment of 20 temporary teachers to meet the exceptional demand for Green Cert courses from young farmers.
It is anticipated that the new Delegated Sanction arrangements may provide greater discretion to Government Departments and state agencies over staffing levels, but strictly within an overall pay framework. Those arrangements are currently being considered in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Within the parameters of that over arching policy, the question of where posts are filled remains an operational matter for Teagasc.
215. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department has taken to deal with the very serious outbreak of sea lice on salmon farms identified in the latest report issued by the Marine Institute. [17611/15]
View answerThe Spring testing period by the Marine Institute, in accordance with the Control Protocols for the management of sea lice, indicated elevated lice levels at salmon cultivation sites in Mannin Bay, Inver Bay, Kilkieran Bay and Killary Harbour.
In all instances appropriate action has been taken by the operators on foot of Management Cell interventions as provided for by the Control Protocols.
These actions include:
- Full or partial accelerated harvests
- Enhanced treatment strategies with due regard for animal health and fish welfare
The site in Mannin Bay is now fallow and lice levels on other affected sites are currently below trigger levels.
Control Protocols for the management of sea lice in Ireland are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry
- data obtained as a result of inspections is published
- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level
My Department keeps the Control Protocols under continuous review to ensure their continued effectiveness.
216. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 15 April 2015, if he will indicate the unexpected health challenge to the stocks in 2012, and the technologies and techniques he stated the salmon industry has developed to deal with the health challenges. [17612/15]
View answerThe unexpected health challenge to the stock in 2012 was caused by a bloom of a naturally occurring single celled marine amoeba organism. This organism which is not a pathogen as such caused severe irritation to the gills of the farmed fish concerned. There were severe stock losses of the smaller sized fish as a result. This phenomenon had been observed previously in 1999 in Ireland but had not been seen in the interim.
This phenomenon has also been evident in other jurisdictions and, in Australia, a treatment technique was developed which involved immersing the affected stock in freshwater for a short period. The fresh water kills and removes the amoeba by osmoregulatory stress on the organism but the salmon remain unaffected and are effectively ‘cured’ by the treatment.
This treatment is now being used by Irish operators to deal successfully with the problem. It should be noted that this condition, known as Amoebic Gill Disease or AGD has no implications whatsoever for human health or for the health status of any wild stocks of fish.
217. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 15 April 2015, the way he can legitimately claim that the fishing industry alone will be directly impacted by the implementation of the landing obligation, when the impact on the environment is clear and urgent, and if therefore he will include environment non-governmental organisations in the discard implementation group, in recognition of this fact. [17613/15]
View answerI agree with the Deputy that the implementation of the landing obligation will have an impact on the environment through the ending of the wasteful practice of discarding carried out by all EU fleets fishing on stocks of interest to the Irish fishing industry. The new landing obligation will greatly help over time to underpin the sustainability of the Irish fishing industry and the coastal communities’ dependent upon it and lead to greater conservation of fish stocks to the benefit of all.
However, it is the fishing industry alone which will have to adapt its behaviour and practices in response to the implementation of the discard ban. It is the individual vessel operators who will have to abide by the new rules as they are phased in and who will ensure that the landing obligation is operated successfully. It is for that reason that the Discards Implementation Group, chaired by Dr Noel Cawley, is made up of fishing industry representatives and those who can provide expert advice such as the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
The key policy decisions with regard to the landing obligation e.g. what species are covered and when - have been and will continue to be made in the Regional Groups of Member States. Under the new Common Fisheries Policy the Regional Group must consult with the Advisory Councils (which include environmental NGO’s). I fully support this and Ireland, as current Chair of the North Western Waters Regional Group has ensured that representatives of the Advisory Council have attended every meeting of the Group and their views have been fully considered.
The purpose of the Discards Implementation Group is fundamentally different to that of the Regional Group of Member States. Primarily, it is to consider the potential impact of the decisions already made at the Regional level and to consider what practical changes will be required to fully implement them.
Consequently, I do not consider it necessary that environmental non-governmental organisations, which will not have any direct role in implementing the landing obligation, become part of the DIG. As I have said previously, I have ensured that such organisations are kept updated on the Group’s deliberations and this will remain the case.
218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is appropriate for his Department to control the operating and staffing resources of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Marine Institute, when both the authority and the institute have responsibility for the regulatory functions that conflict with his Department's development role for the wild fishing and aquaculture industries. [17614/15]
View answerThe financial resources to cover the operating expenses of the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority are made available to those agencies by the Oireachtas through my Department’s Vote. The function of my Department in relation to this matter is to ensure funds voted by the Oireachtas are used for the intended purpose and in accordance with the functions of those agencies set down in statute.
Overall staffing resources for the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and human resources policies for the public sector generally are determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The function of my Department is to ensure that those agencies manage their staffing resources within the limits and in accordance with the policies set by Minister Howlin.
In relation to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, section 42 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions. Section 46 of the Act provides that I may give such general policy directions in writing to the Authority in relation to its functions as I consider appropriate, but that I may not exercise any power or control in relation to individual cases, or groups of cases, with which the Authority is concerned, or in relation to the performance in particular circumstances by the Authority of its functions.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2014 disadvantaged areas scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/15]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2014. Payment has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. The person named was informed of this decision in writing on 4 February 2015 and advised of the option to appeal the decision to the Agricultural Appeals Office should she so wish.
220. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 15 April 2015 and his recent statement on RTE radio that he was cautious about the salmon farming industry, if he will acknowledge the public's legitimate concerns regarding salmon farming and commission an independent review of all aspects of this industry; that this review should include the ongoing contracts between his Department and the industry representatives despite his Department's role as licensing authority; the inadequacy of his Department's sea lice control measures, as evidenced by the latest Marine Institute reports; the continued allocations of public funds to an industry that, based on his own Department's figures, has failed to develop in comparison with our tourist and angling industries and is an environmental threat to these industries. [17677/15]
View answerAs the Deputy has been advised previously my officials and I, in the normal course of official business meet with representatives of the aquaculture industry and individual companies on an ongoing basis to discuss licensing and industry development issues. There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed. These interactions with industry do not conflict with my role or the role of my Department in relation to licensing, which is set out in legislation.
The control protocols for the management of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- the inspection regime is totally independent of the industry
- data obtained as a result of inspections is published
- treatment trigger levels are set at a low level
These control protocols have been the subject of detailed investigation and testing by the EU Commission which has confirmed that it regards the sea lice protocols operated in Ireland as representing best practice internationally.
The potential for growth and job creation in the aquaculture sector has been widely recognised internationally over a number of years. On 27 March 2015, I announced plans for a new €241 million development programme for the seafood sector for the period up to 2020, co-funded by the EU through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The draft Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 proposes investment of €30 million in a number of measures specifically intended to support the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector. Those investment plans will be supported by a new National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture, which I will publish for public consultation shortly. Through that National Strategic Plan and targeted investment under the Seafood Development Programme I will be seeking to identify all of the issues affecting the sustainable growth of the sector and the policy actions and supporting investment needed to address those issues.
221. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the submit facility will be activated on the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17715/15]
View answerFollowing successful negotiations with the European Commission, I opened the GLAS online application system on 23 February, 2015 for the preparation of applications, with the intention of activating the submit-facility once formal approval of the Rural Development Programme as a whole was notified. This has now been received, in the form of a ‘letter of comfort’ from the EU Commission. As additional functionality requested by users was being built into the online system, I decided not to activate the submit facility immediately, in order to give applicants and advisers as much time as possible to familiarise themselves with the scheme before finalising their applications. In addition, I also secured approval to extend the closing date for applications to 22 May, 2015.
At this point in time, I believe the facility to formally submit applications can be activated, and it is my intention to do so this week. However, once an application has been submitted it cannot be recalled and no further changes can be made to it. Farmers and advisors should therefore satisfy themselves fully that applications are ready and complete before submitting same.
222. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the funding model assessing credit from the European Investment Bank for rural businesses will be initiated; if he will utilise the expertise of the local development partnership companies to administer the scheme; the type of projects that will be acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17723/15]
View answerThe recent announcement by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank refers to financial instruments programmed through rural development programmes and funded accordingly through programme budgets. Our draft Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 states, ‘Ireland will keep the possible use of financial instruments under review during the programming period’.
My Department and I have been active in exploring new and more competitive sources of funding and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. The recent announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland of a new product, ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’, is a welcome addition to the sources of funding currently in the market. This credit is available, subject to qualifying criteria, at favourable terms (i.e. longer term and lower interest rate) for investments by agricultural SMEs involved in primary agricultural production, the processing of agricultural products or the marketing of agricultural products.
In relation to accessing finance and credit terms generally, I have recently been in contact with the main banks. I emphasised that this is a critical phase in Ireland’s dairy expansion and that the increased investment and output from production and processing will have significant downstream benefits across the economy generally, including for the banking sector. In order to support the on-going development of the dairy sector and to mitigate the current difficulties caused by milk price volatility, I asked them to explore the full range of potential measures that could serve to alleviate the loan repayment burden facing farmers and offer maximum flexibility for dairy farmers in what will be a difficult year ahead. I believe that it is essential that short term cash flow difficulties are not allowed to undermine prudent investment plans or the longer term competitiveness of their operations. I will continue to communicate with the main banks on issues affecting the sector.
223. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, for counties Cavan and Monaghan, over the period 2010 to 2014, the total number of participants in the rural environment protection scheme and in the agri-environment options scheme; the total grant payments made in each county on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17724/15]
View answerThe details of REPS and AEOS payments for 2010 – 2014 in Cavan and Monaghan are set out in the following tables.
AEOS Payments
|
Year |
- |
Cavan |
- |
Monaghan |
|
Number of Participants |
Amount |
Number of Participants |
Amount |
|
|
2010 |
239 |
221,323.14 |
238 |
231,273.17 |
|
2011 |
410 |
922,492.94 |
334 |
763,140.04 |
|
2012 |
395 |
1,243,821.32 |
325 |
917,605.66 |
|
2013 |
519 |
1,501,668.99 |
386 |
1,021,798.48 |
|
2014 |
461 |
1,458,451.88 |
349 |
957,074.33 |
REPS Payments
|
Year |
Number of Participants |
County |
REPS3 Amount |
REPS4 Amount |
|
2010 |
2,354 |
Cavan |
€6,689,456.76 |
€5,849,072.06 |
|
1,957 |
Monaghan |
€4,935,011.64 |
€4,330,672.63 |
|
|
2011 |
1,947 |
Cavan |
€4,400,821.56 |
€5,999,351.12 |
|
1,592 |
Monaghan |
€3,125,473.40 |
€4,380,828.33 |
|
|
2012 |
1,118 |
Cavan |
€33,090.22 |
€5,501,914.76 |
|
921 |
Monaghan |
€28,407.83 |
€3,978,425.56 |
|
|
2013 |
1,066 |
Cavan |
€0.00 |
€5,287,265.52 |
|
880 |
Monaghan |
€0.00 |
€3,828,581.26 |
|
|
2014 |
673 |
Cavan |
€0.00 |
€3,433,597.59 |
|
523 |
Monaghan |
€0.00 |
€2,336,855.08 |
224. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of works carried out on piers, harbours and coastal infrastructure, for which his Department is responsible, following the storms and high tides in 2013 and 2014; the number of works carried out in each county; the cost of each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17729/15]
View answerMy Department owns, manages and maintains the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros An Mhil and Killybegs. It also has responsibility for North Harbour Cape Clear, and a limited number of piers, lights and beacons in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.
No significant damage was caused to the six fishery harbour centres during the course of the extreme weather in late 2013 and early months of 2014. Table 1 outlines the storm damage spending in 2014 on other pieces of infrastructure owned by the Dept. A further €900,000 has been allocated for 2015, to complete the works to repair the storm damage on Cape Clear.
As part of the Government’s overall response to the damage caused by the storms of 2013 and 2014 my Department funded coastal Local Authorities in 2014 to the tune of €5.316m to repair piers and harbours and eligible marine infrastructure, owned by them which were damaged by the storms. Table 2 provides details.
I have also allocated €1.4m in 2015 to enable Local Authorities complete storm damage projects approved in 2014, which were unfinished in 2014, due to time and other constraints.
Table 1.
|
Storm Damage Programme –Non Fishery Harbour Centres |
Expenditure 2014 |
|
Cape Clear North Harbour |
€97,682 |
|
SD Dooagh Pier Replace Seawall and Repair Rd |
€115,000 |
|
Westcove Beacon,Co. Kerry |
€81,703 |
|
Gun Rock,Co. Galway |
€6,947 |
|
Department owned programme |
€301,332 |
Table 2.
|
Storm Damage Programme –Local Authorities |
Expenditure 2014 |
|
Clare County Council |
|
|
Seafield Repairs to Wall, Ladders, Dredging |
€18,000 |
|
Ballyvaughan Repairs to Pier & Side Walls, Deck |
€65,700 |
|
Kilbaha Repairs to Pier Wall & Wave Wall |
€17,810 |
|
Liscannor Repair to Seawall, Harbour Wall, Deck |
€130,880 |
|
Cork County Council |
|
|
Baltimore Pier replace Cush Buoy |
€29,590 |
|
Cleanderry Repairs to Slipway |
€20,777 |
|
Courtmacsherry Hbr AtoN Installation |
€4,096 |
|
Deelish Access Improvements, Construct Slip |
€27,000 |
|
Dursey Repair and Reconstruct Pier Wall |
€7,233 |
|
Glandore Refurbish Pier, Repairs & Grouting |
€180,000 |
|
Letter Repairs to Pier |
€27,000 |
|
McDonald's Quay Repair Works |
€46,666 |
|
Pallas Reconstruction of sea/quayside wall |
€34,300 |
|
Barleycove Beach Pontoon Replacement |
€31,638 |
|
Travarra Pier Repairs to Access |
€12,131 |
|
Donegal County Council |
|
|
Bundoran Pier Handrail Repairs |
€5,798 |
|
Arranmore Stackamore Slipway |
€6,750 |
|
Bunaniver Repairs to Pier & Slipway |
€28,107 |
|
Bunagee Pier Point and Grout Wall & Rock Armour |
€3,556 |
|
Ballysaggart Pier widening of slipway |
€13,500 |
|
Buncrana Harbour Dredging |
€45,000 |
|
Ballyshannon Harbour Markings |
€29,674 |
|
Bruckless Pier Replacement of Decking |
€9,019 |
|
Arranmore - Rannagh Damaged Slipway |
€26,926 |
|
Cladnageeragh Pier Pile Driving |
€22,500 |
|
Doonalt Pier Replacement of Decking |
€6,457 |
|
Leabgarrow Harbour Arranmore |
€45,000 |
|
Donegal Town Pier Railing Repairs |
€2,098 |
|
Cassan Sound Pier New Deck |
€8,287 |
|
Inis Caoriagh Slipway |
€18,000 |
|
Cruit Island Slipway |
€5,549 |
|
Curransport Slipway Repairs |
€6,661 |
|
Rathmullen Pier Repairs to Upstand & Steps |
€12,246 |
|
Owey Island Redeck Pier and Construct steps |
€27,000 |
|
Port Salon underpinning of Pier & Sea Wall |
€22,500 |
|
Magheroarty Harbour Dredging |
€42,200 |
|
Port Inver Repairs to Concrete Wall |
€13,987 |
|
Malinbeg Ballyederlan Gortalia Tawney Repairs |
€10,251 |
|
Wyon Point and Rinnalea Replace Navigation Lights |
€9,000 |
|
Malimore Pier Construction old Decking |
€3,174 |
|
Galway County Council |
|
|
Annaghavann Realign existing slipway |
€180,000 |
|
Cora Point Repair slip and replace safety railing |
€134,429 |
|
Inis Óirr reconstruct slipway |
€107,983 |
|
An Mace reconstruct wave wall & new deck slap |
€90,000 |
|
Seán Céibh breakwater and quay walls repair |
€135,000 |
|
Sruthan Pier Construct quay walls and decks |
€216,000 |
|
Trá Ban Reconstruct Breakwater and construct ladders |
€198,000 |
|
Cé Caladh Thaidh repair hardstand area |
€108,000 |
|
Cé Finnis safety improvement works |
€108,000 |
|
Cé Pointe repair slipway and pier |
€180,000 |
|
Cé Rossadilisk safety and maintenance works |
€108,000 |
|
Cé Sruthan Bui repair to existing stone pier |
€135,000 |
|
Inis Oírr repair deck and replace railing and light |
€22,473 |
|
Spideál Na Strengthening existing breakwater |
€89,962 |
|
Dolan repair existing stone pier |
€108,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
|
|
Fenit Pier Surface Repairs |
€7,740 |
|
Local Aids to Navigation KY |
€17,395 |
|
Cuan Pier pier wall repairs |
€2,700 |
|
Brandon Pier - pier wall repairs |
€2,796 |
|
Dunquin Pier - Repairs to pier wall and Steps |
€27,000 |
|
Bunnavalla Pier - slip access repairs |
€4,430 |
|
Tahilla Pier - Wall Repairs |
€5,412 |
|
Blackwater Pier - pier wall repairs |
€613 |
|
Coonanna Pier - seawall and handrail repairs |
€1,125 |
|
Knightstown Pier - seawall repairs |
€6,750 |
|
Kilmakilogue Pier and slip repairs |
€18,675 |
|
Cooscrome Pier - seawall repairs |
€7,606 |
|
Dromatoor Pier - basin dredging |
€7,650 |
|
Louth County Council |
|
|
Carlingford Harbour Repairs to Revetment |
€4,500 |
|
Mayo County Council |
|
|
Old Head Pier repairs |
€12,600 |
|
Carramore Pier repairs |
€47,700 |
|
Blacksod Repair Work |
€72,000 |
|
Faulmore Repair Slipway and Access Rd |
€44,999 |
|
Roonagh Repairs |
€18,000 |
|
Rathlacken Pier Repairs to Pier Slip and Rd |
€134,918 |
|
Killerduff Harbour Repairs |
€134,167 |
|
Lecanvey Revetment to Pier and Remove Shingles |
€10,800 |
|
Frenchport Pier Repair Pier and Surrounding Area |
€18,000 |
|
Inishkea Island Pier Repair Pier |
€45,000 |
|
Belderrigh Pier Repair to Pier Wall, ladders etc |
€90,000 |
|
Bunlough Repair to slipway and seawall |
€9,000 |
|
Saleen Repairs to Pier Slip and Surrounding Area |
€90,000 |
|
Mulranny Pier Repairs to Pier Wall & Deck |
€67,500 |
|
Islandmore Pontoon |
€13,608 |
|
Clare Island Piers and Slipway Repairs |
€76,500 |
|
Inishbiggle Pontoon |
€27,000 |
|
Killala Repair Access and Harbour Deck |
€63,000 |
|
Kilcummin Repairs and Remove Stone Pier & Slip |
€63,000 |
|
Purtoon Replace Slipway and Seawall |
€27,000 |
|
Porturlin Repair Pier Wall, Deck and Lights |
€135,000 |
|
Sligo County Council |
|
|
Enniscrone Pier Storm Damage Repairs |
€61,021 |
|
Mullaghmore Hbr Storm Damage Repairs |
€89,100 |
|
Wexford County Council |
|
|
Ballyhack pier repairs, HandS and Access works |
€45,000 |
|
Courtown 1 Pier Assessment and Repairs |
€7,526 |
|
Fethard Hbr Pier Repair, HandS and Access Works |
€9,000 |
|
Slade Hbr Rock Armour Replacement, HandS works |
€54,000 |
|
Cahore Pier, Mooring and Rock Armour Repair |
€49,500 |
|
Courtown 2 Repairs to North and South Pier |
€306 |
|
Wexford Harbour Repair damaged harbour buoyage |
€9,000 |
|
St Helen Hbr repairs, Health and Safety and Access Works |
€45,900 |
|
Carne Repairs, HandS and Access Works |
€13,500 |
|
Kilmore Quay Retrapod Enhancement to East Pier |
€180,000 |
|
Waterford County Council |
|
|
Dunmore East Sormwall Repair |
€6,333 |
|
Tramore Seawall Repairs |
€134,420 |
|
Boatstrand Repair West Slip and Seawall |
€295,293 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
|
|
Arklow - South Pier Navigation Lights |
€5,078 |
|
Total Local Authority Storm Damage Programme Subtotal |
€5,316,065 |
