Written Answers Nos. 356-372
356. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason full payments under the 2014 suckler cow scheme and the 2014 beef genomics scheme have not issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18446/15]
View answerThe Suckler Welfare Scheme was a five year scheme which concluded with animals born during 2012. The person named submitted a 2014 Beef Data Programme/Beef Genomics Scheme application on 19 March 2014. Payment under the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme issued in full directly to the bank account of the person named on 16 December 2014. Payments under the 2014 Beef Data Programme will commence in June 2015.
Twenty one animals were registered under the 2013 Beef Data Programme and payment issued in respect of fourteen of these animals in June 2014. Payment in respect of five other animals will be issued to the applicant shortly. The sire number for the remaining two animals was not provided and, therefore, these animals are ineligible for payment under the Terms and Conditions of the Programme.
357. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the decision to withhold a payment under the 2014 disadvantaged areas scheme from a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18472/15]
View answerAn application under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 April 2014. The person named did not meet the eligibility requirement of the Scheme as per the Terms and Conditions and the governing EU Regulation 21/2004, where all flock owners are obliged to count all sheep and goats in their flock on a specific date each year and return details of same via the Annual Sheep Census Form to my Department by a specified closing date each year. The person named was informed of this position in writing on 3 March 2015 and advised of his right to seek a review to the Independent Agricultural Office. The person named has since availed of this option and the case is now under review by that Office.
358. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or in which vacancies are anticipated to arise, up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18478/15]
View answerThere are currently twelve state bodies, one committee and one forum under the aegis of my Department. The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the table below.
|
Name |
Number of Current Vacancies as of 12/5/2015 |
Anticipated number of vacancies to arise after 12/05/15 up to 1/1/2016 |
Date(s) when the vacancies arose or will arise |
Vacancies relates to a Chair or Member |
Appointment process |
|
Aqua Licensing Appeals Board |
1 |
0 |
8/11/2014 |
Member |
Minister makes appointments from nominations by prescribed organisations |
|
Bord Bia |
7 |
1 |
1 in June 2013. 1 in November 2013. 5 in November 2014. 1 in December 2015. |
Members |
6 by PAS and 2 by Sector |
|
Bord na gCon |
4 (members remain in situ until vacancies are filled) |
1 |
4 on 1/12/ 2014. 1 on 11/6/2015 |
Members |
PAS |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
1 |
1 |
1 on 14/5/2014 1 on 13/6/2015 |
Member and Chair |
PAS |
|
Coillte |
3 |
0 |
1/1/2014 1/8/2014 1/1/2015 |
Member |
In accordance with the guidelines on State Boards as applicable to New ERA companies. |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
7 (members remain in situ until vacancies are filled) |
0 |
2 on 17/2/2013 1 on 17/12/2013 1 on 9/2/2014 3 on 10/1/2015 |
Member |
I to be filled through PAS, others are nominated by specific bodies. |
|
Irish National Stud |
4 (members remain in situ until vacancies are filled) |
0 |
2 members retired at the INS AGM on 22/4/2015. There are currently 4 retired members on the Board. |
Members |
PAS |
|
Marine Institute |
4 |
1 |
18/4/2012 11/6/2012 1/5/2014 17/2/2015 27/5/2015 |
Members |
PAS |
|
National Milk Agency |
1 |
Elections due in October 2015. 5 members elected and 8 members nominated by interest groups. |
9/3/2015 |
Board member. Replacement nominated. |
Nomination by National Dairies Association. |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency |
Nil |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Teagasc |
Nil |
Nil |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
2 |
4 |
2 on 1/1/2014. 4 on 1/1/2016 |
Members. The Chair of the Council is elected among members. |
The 2 current vacancies will be filled through PAS. The 4 other members will be appointed by the Minister following elections among registered veterinary practitioners as provided under section 18 of the Veterinary Practise Act 2005. |
|
Bookmakers Appeal Committee |
5 |
0 |
4 on 21/1/2014 1 on 17/11/2014 |
Chair and 4 members |
PAS |
|
Racegoers Consultative Forum |
Nil |
0 |
2 members serving at the Minister’s Discretion and may be replaced at any time. |
Members |
PAS |
359. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments for 2013 and 2014 under the agri-environment option scheme . [18485/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 November 2010.
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 (LPIS), must be completed before any payment can issue.
Arising from the LPIS Review in 2013, a 100% penalty was imposed in respect of an area of Species Rich Grassland. However, the reduced area was later reinstated and a full refund of the penalty deducted in respect of the 2013 scheme year issued on 8 May 2015.
The first instalment of the 2014 payment issued on 9 December 2014 and the balance issued on 30 January 2015. However, because these payments were based on the reduced area of the Species Rich Grassland parcel, a supplementary payment in respect of 2014 will now be made by my Department. This additional payment will issue shortly.
360. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18506/15]
View answerAn application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment was received from the person named on 25 March 2014.
During processing of his application a dual claim error arose on one of the parcels declared and following investigation confirmation was received that the person named did not have the right to declare this parcel. Processing of the application was finalised with payment in respect of the eligible area declared issuing on 16 December 2014. In finalising this application consideration was given to the particular circumstances of the case. So while the dual claimed parcel was not paid on (as the person named was not entitled to claim it) a penalty was not applied as would usually be the case where a dual claim is established.
361. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an area-based payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [18507/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 8 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined, resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 20%. Based on the terms and conditions of these schemes this resulted in no payment in respect of the 2014 Single Payment and Disadvantaged areas’ Schemes. The person named was notified of this decision by letter issued 29 November 2014.
The person named sought a review of this decision. As part of the review process a field visit was arranged to verify the position on the ground. The results of this field visit are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. The person named will be informed of the outcome of the review once finalised. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
362. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18518/15]
View answerThe closing date for receipt of applications under Phase 1 of the National Reserve which included ‘young farmers’ and ‘new entrants’ was 31 March 2015 and some 6,000 applications were received by my Department. The closing date for receipt of applications under the Young Farmers Scheme and Phase 2 of the National Reserve is 29 May 2015. Processing of applications has commenced and my Department is currently corresponding directly with individual applicants to request further information in support of their applications. Applications under the National Reserve and/or Young Farmer Scheme cannot be fully processed until a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application has been received and processed for each farmer concerned and land details verified.
The person named submitted an application under the ‘new entrant’ category of the National Reserve. Also, Department records indicate that the person named has never held Single Payment entitlements. In this regard she may be eligible to apply for an allocation of entitlements under the Scottish Derogation. Detailed Terms and Conditions for the Scottish Derogation are available on my Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie. The closing date is 29 May 2015. My Department can be contacted directly at lo call 0761 064447 if any further information is required.
363. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not been facilitated under the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18531/15]
View answerThe closing date for receipt of applications under the Young Farmers Scheme is 29 May 2015. My Department has no record of having received an application under the Young Farmers Scheme from the person named. My Department will contact the person named directly in the coming days to discuss his particular circumstances and potential eligibility for an application under the Young Farmers Scheme.
364. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive payments. [18543/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from 1 September 2011.
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. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection, during which non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Water Trough and Species Rich Grassland actions, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named was notified of this on 30 January 2015.
Officials are currently processing the application on the basis of the inspection findings and payment in respect of the 2014 scheme year, less the penalty, will issue shortly.
365. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an agri-environment options scheme 1 payment in respect of a person (details supplied), who has complied with all regulations of the scheme, remains outstanding; and if the payment will be investigated and expedited. [18570/15]
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 Gardaí. 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 wrote to the person named on 28 January 2015 to explain the situation.
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.
366. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the work of the seal depredation focus group, which a Bord Iascaigh Mhara report in 2013 stated had been set up to promote discussion on issues surrounding the seal, conflict among stakeholders regarding the future of the seal and fisheries management policy. [18586/15]
View answer367. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will indicate the way in which the seal depredation focus group has conducted its business; its representation; and the findings to date. [18587/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 367 together.
I understand from the Marine Institute that a Seal Fisheries Focus Group was set up to bring together industry, science and NGOs. Membership of the Group has included scientists from the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Coastal and Marine Research Centre of UCC together with representatives from the Irish Seal Sanctuary and from the Irish sea-fishing industry. I am advised that the Group meets on an ad hoc basis. The Group is anticipated to reconvene in the near future to discuss research studies currently awaiting publication.
It is important to note that the Irish Fisheries Science Research Partnership (IFSRP) was set up on an official basis to enhance collaboration and mutual understanding on fisheries science priorities, which are beneficial to the long-term future of the Irish fishing industry. The IFSRP includes industry representatives and scientists from both Marine Institute and BIM and meets on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss scientific work programmes and priorities, including in relation to interactions between seals and sea-fisheries.
368. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the increase in milk production levels, if he will review the resources available for marketing agencies to ensure they will be in a position to pursue developing markets in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18591/15]
View answerPlanning in overall terms, and specifically in terms of marketing activities for the post quota period in relation to efforts to increase exports has been ongoing for a number of years. Developing a unique selling point for Irish dairy produce is a critically important element of the national strategy for the development of the sector, particularly in the context of the need to maximise market returns for significantly increased production in competitive markets world-wide. It remains clearly evident, from engagement with potential customers for Irish dairy products that the sustainability message inherent to the sector in Ireland has a strong resonance.
Irish dairy co-operatives and PLCs export their produce to some 130 countries and of course, some 60% of Irish dairy output is marketed through a joint co-operative venture “The Irish Dairy Board” which has recently rebranded itself as “Ornua”. These companies have already proven their capability on international markets and I am confident they will continue to do so in the quota free environment.
As a support to this effort, in 2012 I announced a proposal for a new national sustainability programme for the dairy sector. This programme, the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) was launched in December 2013 and is a key element in Ireland’s strategy for marketing and promotion of dairy products on international markets, particularly in the context of expanded milk output following the abolition of milk quotas in April of this year.
The Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme was developed in cooperation with milk producers, processors and regulatory authorities. It has been designed to assist in securing new and existing markets for Irish dairy produce as farmers look to increase milk production in a post quota era.
This SDAS programme is independently verified and establishes a point of differentiation that sets our dairy products apart in world markets. The carbon footprint element is pivotal in demonstrating the strong climate change credentials of Ireland’s dairy sector, and indeed it has already been established that Ireland’s GHG emissions from the dairy sector are the joint lowest in the EU. To date there have been 6,405 audits completed with 5,667 farms certified. Another 684 farms are currently pending audit.
The scheme facilitates Bord Bia in conjunction with the dairy industry in positioning the Irish dairy sector globally as a source of verifiably sustainable dairy production. The SDAS programme, including audits, are funded directly by industry and managed by Bord Bia. To promote the SDAS to customers of Irish dairy, the industry provides a promotional fund to Bord Bia and this will be focussed across 3 primary target regions, namely Europe, China and the Middle East at a business to business level.
Bord Bia also has a central budget from Government which is used, inter alia, for the promotional activities in relation to dairy through attendance at trade fairs, market research in developing markets and consumer research. This funding is set to increase by 14% in 2015, which includes funding for Bord Bia to assist in the marketing of Irish food and drink including dairy at this year’s Expo in Milan. Taken together, I am satisfied that the foregoing measures as outlined reflect the strong ongoing commitment to making resources available to ensure developing and exciting markets in the dairy sector can be appropriately pursued.
369. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's strategy for tackling the high level of imports of food products that can be produced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18594/15]
View answerMy view is that the best way of reducing imports of food products that can be produced here is by producing safe and high-quality produce domestically that consumers trust and want. That is why this Government has invested heavily in the development of a rigorous programme of food safety and traceability measures allowing us to trace from farm to fork. Not only do we implement EU legislative measures, but we go further with national food quality and controls systems to ensure that we are world leaders in food safety assurance.
Moreover, we are the only country in the world to have a national sustainability programme in place for our food and drink industry, which includes additional food safety checks; and measurable and audited sustainability targets for each farm and food business.
Of course there are sectors where imports comprise a greater proportion than we would like. One of these is the fruit and vegetables sector but the reality is that a high proportion of these imports occur at times when it would not be economically feasible to produce in Ireland, mainly during the winter months. To address this issue, my Department continues to provide grant aid for the sector to encourage innovation and to assist growers to compete with imports and to meet the high demands of the retail sector. In March of this year, approvals issued to 158 applicants involving grant aid of €5.7 million, and when fully drawn down, this will support grower investments to the value of over €14 million.
The Department also continues to support two Producer Organisations in the sector both Teagasc and Bord Bia work closely with the industry to provide technical advice and marketing expertise.
370. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated value of the total poultry sector from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18597/15]
View answerThe poultry sector plays an important role within the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 2% of gross agricultural output. The poultry sector supports around 5,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. The value of primary output for the total poultry sector, including eggs, has remained relatively static over the last five years. Output stood at €177 million in 2011, €189 million in 2012, €183 million in 2013 and approximately €186 million in 2014. Given that the forecast for consumer demand remains somewhat stable, estimates for 2015 stand at €186 million.
Export values however have increased steadily over the same period from €210m in 2011 to c. €310m in 2014, growing by 20% alone in the last year as the value of trade was driven by increased shipments of processed products. Strong fundamentals supported demand in almost all regions of the world in 2014 and this is expected to continue in 2015, although some easing in global poultry prices is expected. Irish production is forecast to remain stable during 2015 as EU and international production is estimated to increase marginally. However, the impact of cereal price changes will influence output decisions by producers as the year progresses.
The new Rural Development programme 2014 – 2020 (RDP) will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector going forward, and will be of particular relevance to a number of key areas within agriculture, including the poultry sector. The main areas for support in the RDP for the poultry sector will include:
- significant support for on-farm capital investment under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme II (TAMS II) scheme;
- knowledge transfer and innovation measures, aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions.
371. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has had a cut in payment under the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18647/15]
View answerMy Department is carrying out a full examination of this case and will make direct contact with all of the claimants involved in relation to the outcome of this examination.
372. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet representatives of the Forgotten Farmers Group, who have requested a meeting with him; if he is willing to grant preferential access to entitlements to these farmers, particularly those who did not receive installation aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18669/15]
View answerThe group of young farmers who established their holdings prior to 2008 and who are not eligible under the ‘young farmer’ priority category of phase 1 of the National Reserve or the ‘old young farmer’ specific disadvantage category of phase 2 of the National Reserve are referred to as the Forgotten Farmer Group. In response to a request for a meeting with representatives of the Forgotten Farmers Group, officials from my Department met with a delegation from the group on 1 April 2015.
At this meeting the main request of the group was to increase the value of entitlements for farmers who are under 40 years to the National Average value of entitlements in 2015. It was estimated that this group would comprise of no more than 300 farmers. Following the meeting my Department carried out analysis of the group of farmers involved. It has been established that 3,900 farmers fulfil this criteria. An estimation of the cost of increasing the value of existing entitlements to the National Average for these 3,900 farmers stands at €12.288m.
EU Regulations governing the National Reserve stipulate that young farmers and new entrants must be given priority status in allocating funding from the National Reserve. Under these Regulations a ‘young farmer’ is defined as a farmer less than 40 years of age who commenced their farming activity during the previous five years. Given the number of applications under phase 1 of the National Reserve, it is not envisaged that there will be available resources to cater for this large additional group of farmers who did not commence their farming activity during the previous five years.
Many of the farmers in this group will benefit from an increase in the value of their entitlements under the convergence process between 2015 and 2019. Farmers who hold entitlements that have an Initial Unit Value that is below 90% of the Basic Payment Scheme national average will see the value of their entitlements increase gradually over the five years of the scheme. By 2019, all entitlements for all farmers in Ireland will be at least 60% of the National Average value.
With regard to access under Pillar 2 to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) for young farmers who established their holdings prior to 2008, I intend to prioritise their applications under TAMS, with grant-aid payable at 40%.
