Written Answers Nos. 100-121
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he continues to attract new investment to this jurisdiction from new locations globally; the degree to which this continues to benefit the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18899/15]
View answerThe US continues to be the largest single investor in Ireland accounting for over 70% of investments won since 2010. Europe is IDA Ireland’s second largest market and accounts for 20% of investments won in the same period. While the market is challenging given uneven recovery from the downturn, significant opportunities remain. India, China, Singapore, the ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam as well as South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Israel and South Africa, referred to as Growth Markets, have become central sources of and destinations for global FDI flows, with Asia in particular becoming a key player. IDA Ireland has put additional resources into this market place over the past five years and has seen good results with ‘New Name’ investments rising from 4% in 2010 to 20% in 2014 and accounting for an average of 10% of total investments.
Earlier this year IDA Ireland launched its new 5 year strategy entitled “Winning” which covers the period 2015 to 2019. The strategy sets out ambitious targets to boost FDI in Ireland by over 40%, creating 80,000 new jobs in the economy over the next five years. This will bring total direct employment by overseas companies in Ireland to 209,000 by 2019. This will be the highest level of employment from overseas firms in the history of the State and will deliver wide-ranging economic benefits for the people of Ireland.
Ireland’s future FDI success will require continued support of existing sectors and exploiting new opportunities in new sectors. In relation to IDA’s global strategy, North America will remain the key source market for FDI. The Agency will also target market share growth in Europe and increasing returns from regions such as Asia-Pacific. IDA Ireland will continue to target high growth companies in all three markets to bring first time investors to Ireland.
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new small or medium-sized enterprises, and the resultant number of jobs created, arising therefrom, in the past three years to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18901/15]
View answerEstablishing the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) as a first stop shop for start-ups, micro-enterprises and small businesses means that entrepreneurs have one central place to go where they can get information and assistance in identifying and accessing all available supports, such as financial supports or “soft” supports, such as training and mentoring.
In 2014, a total of 4,012 extra jobs were created by companies supported by the LEOs. The results, which were compiled by the Enterprise Ireland Centre of Excellence on foot of the Annual Employment Survey of LEO clients, show that at the end of 2014, total direct employment among the 6,058 LEO client companies stood at 31,326. The results also show:
- A total of 7,305 new jobs created during 2014, in gross terms;
- Taking into account losses, a net increase of 4,012, or 14%, in the numbers of people at work in these companies;
- Jobs growth happened during 2014 in every county of the country in companies supported by LEOs.
The Deputy will be aware that the system for delivery of support to micro and small enterprises was reformed last year to make the operating environment for businesses more coherent, responsive and conducive to entrepreneurship at local level. As part of that process, the metrics previously being used by the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) were revised and extended to make them more relevant as a means of reporting on the performance of the LEOs. Accordingly, comparative figures for previous years are not available.
Set out in the following table are Enterprise Ireland (EI) job creation figures for the period 2011 to 2014 taken from the Annual Employment Survey for each year. It should be noted that EI employment figures refer to the agency’s overall client base and include jobs created by SMEs.
Enterprise Ireland job creation figures including SME jobs:
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Permanent Full Time Jobs |
141,228 |
145,460 |
149,718 |
156,202 |
|
Permanent Full Time Gains |
9,076 |
12,861 |
12,532 |
14,873 |
|
Permanent Full Time Losses |
-9,070 |
-9,523 |
8,912 |
-7,659 |
|
Permanent Full Time Net Change |
6 |
3,338 |
3,620 |
7,214 |
|
Part Time Jobs |
21,464 |
23,991 |
26,032 |
23,870 |
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will indicate, arising from work permit applications in each of the past five years to date in 2015, the extent to which such applications were in respect of particular skills. [18902/15]
View answerSince the early 2000s, Ireland has sought to meet labour and skills needs from within the European Economic Area (EEA) as far as possible, while limiting non-EEA labour migration to that of the most highly skilled and hard to find workers.
In times of economic prosperity, the eligible occupation categories are usually broadened to provide for an expanding economy, labour market shortages and skills needs. During a period of economic decline, the eligible occupation categories are narrowed and other restrictions are applied in line with a decline in employment opportunities and an oversupply of labour. However, even during such periods, the need to meet certain skills requirements remains, and during such periods, employment permits will still issue to non-EEA nationals where it can be demonstrated that their expertise is required or would be beneficial.
In 2012 it was recognised that the growth of Ireland’s economy was dependent on our ability to meet the skills needs of both our indigenous and multi-national enterprises and a key component of that rested on our ability to attract and retain these key skills through the employment permits regime pending the achievement of a sufficient supply of appropriately trained Irish and other EEA nationals via education and reskilling. Thus improvements to the employment permit regime were designed to help us meet our objective of providing a system that could quickly respond to skills gaps, could quickly process applications and could be used by employers with confidence to acquire those skills they are unable to source in Ireland. The changes made included broadening and updating the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and the ineligible occupations list.
The Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014, which commenced in October 2014, provides the flexibility to deal with changing labour market, work patterns and economic development needs which often require rapid response. The Regulations, as provided for in the Act, are being reviewed and adapted on a biannual basis to reflect the exigencies of a changing enterprise environment. They, inter alia, stipulate two types of occupation for the purposes of the employment permits system:
- The HSEOL sets out the lists of eligible occupations deemed to be critically important to growing Ireland’s economy, are highly demanded and highly skilled, and are in significant shortage of supply in our labour market. This list is an integral part of the Critical Skills Employment Permit which is designed to attract highly skilled people into the labour market with the aim of encouraging them to take up permanent residence in the State;
- The Ineligible Categories of Employment List includes those occupations for which there is a clear surplus of adequately skilled Irish and EEA nationals in the wider labour force. It is primarily focused on elementary occupations.
During 2013, my Department devised a process of reviewing and updating the HSEOL and Ineligible Categories of Employment List for employment permits bi-annually. This review is predicated on a formalised and evidence-based process. Such a process involves obtaining and considering advice from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SMLRU - SOLAS). It also involves input from relevant Government Departments, Agencies, and industry as necessary.
The success of the employment permit system in helping to fill key ICT shortages in the Irish labour market is evident:
- Total number of permits issued to end Q1 2015 is up 19% on the same period in 2014;
- In all, 61% of the total permits issued in Q1 2015 were in respect of ICT professionals in critical short supply not only in Ireland but also in the EU and globally.
Detailed statistics are published on my Department's website which give a breakdown of employment permits issued by sector, county, company and nationality. These may be accessed at http://www.djei.ie/labour/workpermits/statistics.htm.
The following revision was received from the Department on 20 May 2015
In all, 34% of the total permits issued in Q1 2015 were in respect of ICT professionals in critical short supply not only in Ireland but also in the EU and globally.
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the level of assistance and opportunities for job creation available to the indigenous sector in each of the past four years to date in 2015; if he continues to be satisfied that adequate opportunities are available to this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18903/15]
View answerThe 2015 Action Plan for Jobs sets out a comprehensive range of measures to support entrepreneurship, SMEs and the self-employed in the areas of education and research, business environment and supports, innovation and access to finance, networks and mentoring; and, access to markets. Increasing entrepreneurial activity is a Disruptive Reform in the Action Plan for Jobs for 2015. Our key priority is driving implementation of the actions in the National Entrepreneurship Statement, which was published in October last year and to achieve the ambitious targets set out for a 25% increase in the number of start-ups and in the scaling and sustainability of new enterprises.
The launch of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) was a major reform delivered in 2014 and the clients of the LEOs increased employment by 4,012 last year to 31,326 jobs throughout the country. In 2015 the LEOs will have ambitious and robust county strategies and targets for start-ups, enterprise engagements and supports to be effective first-stop-shops for enterprise information and supports and launch an Entrepreneur Partnering Programme. My Department through its agencies will build on the 2014 success of the awards programmes such as Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur with a renewed programme for 2015.
Businesses can also access the online search tool for SME business supports that was launched last year. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. The Supporting SMEs Online Tool is available at: www.actionplanforjobs.ie.
When it comes to promoting prosperity through job creation, the role of new entrepreneurs can hardly be overstated, with two-thirds of new jobs created by firms in their first five years. Enterprise Ireland works to increase the number of companies starting-up, succeeding, expanding, exporting and ultimately creating jobs in Ireland. EI’s support system for young companies includes help with business planning, mentoring and development advice, feasibility funding and finance, often in the form of equity investment, as appropriate to the founder’s ambitions and the company’s potential and stage of growth. The number of full-time and part-time jobs created by EI client companies can be seen in the table below.
Enterprise Ireland has set itself an ambitious target of 550 new and early start-ups supported by 2016. In addition, building on the success achieved to date on the Competitive Feasibility Funds, EI will launch four targeted funds during the year in the West, Midlands, MidEast, and one sectoral fund.
The launch of the simplified Startup Refunds for Entrepreneurs Scheme (SURE) in 2015 will provide additional finance for entrepreneurs. Other schemes like the Micro Finance Fund Ireland and the Credit Loan Guarantee Scheme were also established to make available further supports to a wider cohort of Irish companies.
In addition, a range of agricultural related measures are being implemented including steps to maximise available agricultural land with measures to encourage long term leasing. We are also continuing to supporting the tourism sector with retention of 9% VAT rate. More broadly, improvements in personal taxation will benefit the self-employed and entrepreneurs and support growth in demand across the economy.
Enterprise Ireland job creation figures including SME jobs:
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Permanent Full Time Jobs |
141,228 |
145,460 |
149,718 |
156,202 |
|
Permanent Full Time Gains |
9,076 |
12,861 |
12,532 |
14,873 |
|
Permanent Full Time Losses |
-9,070 |
-9,523 |
8,912 |
-7,659 |
|
Permanent Full Time Net Change |
6 |
3,338 |
3,620 |
7,214 |
|
Part Time Jobs |
21,464 |
23,991 |
26,032 |
23,870 |
104. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views that it is appropriate that the Irish Greyhound Board has been deemed suitable for inclusion in a Bord Fáilte campaign, when there are many more deserving organisations and institutions which could benefit from the advertising boost that a Bord Fáilte campaign could offer, and that this organisation is millions of euro in debt, receives substantial Exchequer support and is riddled with drug testing scandals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18804/15]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
I am informed that Bord na gCon’s marketing and commercial team work closely with Tourism Ireland to bring international visitors to greyhound stadia in Ireland. This is a very valuable source of income for BNG specifically and the industry generally and of course is entirely consistent with the policy of improving the contribution of greyhound racing to employment and the wider economy.
Bord na gCon will be devoting increased resources and time working with tour operators because clearly opportunities exist to increase the numbers of foreign visitors to greyhound stadia. A night at the dogs is a unique event for visitors to this country.
A night out in a greyhound stadium showcases the high levels of hospitality that Ireland is famous for, allowing the visitor to experience the best of Irish food produce, thereby supporting the broader indigenous food sector.
The greyhound industry clearly contributes significantly to tourism in Ireland and Bord na gCon is to be complimented for successfully identifying and developing this niche market among continental European visitors, in particular from Germany, France and the Netherlands.
105. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 21 April 2015, if a decision has been made; if so, when the decision was made; and the nature of the decision. [18710/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 14 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection.
The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Under the Terms and Conditions of these schemes, this resulted in the 2014 payments being based on the found area having been reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area declared. The person named was notified of this decision on 8 September 2014.
The person named was contacted by the Department and has appealed this decision and this request is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a penalty applied to an area based payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed. [18735/15]
View answerAs you may be aware my Department is currently examining land parcels declared under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review an ineligible area was identified and removed from a number of parcels declared by the person named. In order to clarify the position regarding the area of ineligible features my Department arranged for a ground verification check to be undertaken. This check confirmed the 2013 area over-declaration as 32.59 % in the case of both the Single Farm Payment and the Disadvantaged Area Schemes. As 32.59 % is greater than 20% of the newly established eligible area in respect of both Schemes, regretfully, no payment is due to the person named under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Are a Schemes. The person named received a payment on 16 October 2013 under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme and also 20 September 2013 under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme, which are deemed overpaid and will be netted-off future payments made by my Department.
The person named was notified of the outcome of this review in writing on 21 May 2014 and informed of his right to submit an appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee. By letter dated 23 June 2014, the person named opted to avail of his right to appeal to the independently chaired LPIS Appeal Committee. Following due consideration, the LPIS Appeal Committee rejected his appeal, and notified him of the decision on 30 October 2014, in which they outlined his right to appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman. Following consultation with the Office of the Ombudsman, my Department arranged for a further verification visit to be carried out, which did not result in a positive outcome for the person named, as the overall area remained unchanged. The person named was notified in writing of the outcome of this review on 30 April 2015.
107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers, who have applied for the new green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme, will be notified that they have been accepted or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18737/15]
View answerMy Department will begin validating, ranking and selecting GLAS applications from the first tranche after the closing date for receipt of applications which is 22 May. As set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions, candidates from Tier 1 will receive priority access, followed by Tier 2, followed in turn by Tier 3 candidates (who undergo a separate selection process as required under the terms of the approved Rural Development Programme). However, as Commonage farmers have until end-August to submit their completed Commonage Management Plans, which are a prerequisite for approval into GLAS, notification of approvals from the first tranche will not take place until after that date. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application.
108. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2013 accounts for Bord na gCon will be published; if he will provide details of the way the additional €2.8 million allocated to Bord na gCon in the last budget will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/15]
View answerThe 2013 audited annual report and accounts of Bord na gCon are at present with my Department for consideration and will shortly be presented to Government for noting. The annual report and accounts will then be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas prior to their publication by Bord na gCon. In 2015 the allocation to Bord na gCon was increased by €2.8m to €13.6m, to restore funding to an important sector that makes a significant contribution to the economy in terms of employment, exports and tourism. This increase in funding is linked to the extension of the betting tax in 2015 to online betting and betting exchanges which is scheduled to take effect later this year.
The extra allocation to Bord na gCon may be expended on prizemoney, operational grants to private tracks, regulatory and administrative functions, and also to address its pension liability.
109. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the former internal auditor of the Irish Greyhound Board was made redundant in 2013; if he will provide details of the circumstances and arrangements surrounding the redundancy; if he will confirm that his redundancy was in line with Government guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/15]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Accordingly, the matter raised by the Deputy is the responsibility of Bord na gCon. It is an operational matter between Bord na gCon and the individual concerned and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it.
110. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the equipment for the detection of prohibited substances in racing greyhounds, located in the National Greyhound Laboratory in County Limerick, is up to date and adequate in preventing doping; if he will provide details of when the latest drug testing equipment was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/15]
View answerBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted.
I understand that Bord na gCon has recently conducted a review of their integrity and regulatory systems under the guidance of Professor Tim Morris (School of Veterinary Medicine & Science, University of Nottingham) with particular emphasis on sampling and analysis for the presence of prohibited substances and medication control issues.
Bord na gCon are considering the recommendations contained in Professor Morris’ report with a view to identifying any amendments that require to be made to legislation, practices and policies to ensure both the advancement of the Boards commitment to greyhound welfare, and to underpin the integrity of the Irish greyhound industry.
The scope of this report encompasses the capacity of the National Greyhound Testing Laboratory in Limerick, the general adequacy of the equipment used and the levels of testing for prohibited substances. The objective is to ensure that Bord na gCon will conform with the best international practice.
I understand from BNG that in addition to testing samples at the National Greyhound Testing Laboratory in Limerick, they also send samples for analysis to an appropriate laboratory in the UK as required from time to time.
The purchasing of laboratory equipment is an operational matter for BNG.
111. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the skills gap identified by the Indecon Report 2014, in relation to the Irish Greyhound Board, has been filled; the measures he has taken, or is taking, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18752/15]
View answerFollowing on from the publication of the Indecon Report in July 2014, Bord na gCon submitted an action plan with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendation in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. This action plan has been published on the Bord na gCon website. Bord na gCon has informed me that they are continuing to address the skills gap referred to in the Indecon Report. In this regard, Bord na gCon has expanded its risk management committee to include the Chief Executive Officer and all of the senior executive management team. This executive risk management team is supported by a risk facilitator who is tasked with maintaining a risk register as identified by the risk management committee.
A new executive position of Director of Racing, Governance and Compliance was filled in June 2014. The function of the executive concerned is to ensure effective compliance by all stakeholders in the Irish greyhound industry with the current regulatory system and to further develop and implement a world class regulatory code to ensure the highest standard of integrity of greyhound racing in Ireland.
Furthermore, a Director of Tote and Wagering was appointed in November 2013 and a Director of Commercial Operations appointed in April 2013.
Also in May 2014 a person with veterinary and legal expertise was appointed to the Board.
Indecon’s recommendation to further strengthen the skill set of the Board will be addressed as part of the new procedures for appointments to State Boards to be carried out by the Public Appointments Service when vacancies at Board level are filled.
112. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the legal status of greyhounds registered and racing, whose registration was in breach of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations 2005, in view of the fact that they were conceived by frozen sperm more than two years after the death of the stud sire, and before the 2014 amendment to these regulations, which removes the two year time limit for the use of the frozen sperm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18753/15]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26 (2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
Detailed rules governing the practice of the artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005, (S.I. No. 561 of 2005), which were made by BNG under Section 39 of the Act.
The Regulations included a two year limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog, thereafter any unused semen had to be destroyed.
My Department was informed by Bord na gCon in early 2013 that procedural issues had arisen in relation to the registration of greyhounds conceived following artificial insemination which were at variance with the provisions set down in the 2005 regulations referred to above.
Having discussed the situation at a meeting on 18th September 2014, the Board of BNG after consultation with the ICC, decided to remove the two-year time limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog.
Following that consultation and with my consent, as is required under section 39 of the 1958 Act, the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds (Amendment) Regulations 2014 were introduced by BNG and came into effect on the 1st of November 2014, thus removing the two-year time limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog.
I understand that the Board decided to commission a scientific study in order to inform any decision as to what time limit, if any, should be applied in the future to the use of semen in AI after the death of a stud sire. In this regard, BNG and the ICC have recently carried out preliminary research and discussions have taken place with various experts in quantitative genetics, animal & bioscience research and canine genetic on specific areas of interest for the proposed AI study.
I am informed by BNG that the scientific study referred to above will provide relevant information to assist the Board with regard to further development of policy in this area.
113. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the decision-making process regarding the loan of €250,000 that Bord na gCon provided to the Davis Road Greyhound Stadium; if Bord na gCon had an internal auditor at work at the time this loan was agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18754/15]
View answerBord na gCon has statutory responsibility under the Greyhound Industry Acts 1958 and 1993 for the control, development and improvement of the greyhound racing industry. The issue to which the Deputy refers is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. That organisation is specifically empowered under Section 16(1) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, to provide loans for the “improvement of greyhound race tracks, authorised coursing grounds and the amenities thereof” and for “any other purpose conducive to the improvement and development of the industry”.
I am informed by BNG that financial support in the form of a trading facility in the amount of €250,000, was made available by it to the company referred to by the Deputy. This facility was provided to assist the company concerned with the completion of a project with the objective of furthering the development and promotion of greyhound racing.
I am advised that the proposal to provide this facility was submitted to the Board of Bord na gCon, and that following due consideration, it was approved by the Board, in the best interests of greyhound racing.
I understand that BNG had already appointed an audit firm to fulfil the role of internal audit, on an interim basis, when the decision referred to above was made by the Board.
114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the process of appointments to the Control Committee of Born na gCon; the measures in place to avoid any conflict of interest in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18755/15]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. The Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee of BNG are established under legislation (Greyhound Industry, Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee Regulations 2007, S.I. Number 301 of 2007).
The Control Committee consists of five members who are appointed by the Board of Bord na gCon. Under article 5 of the legislation establishing the Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee, at least one practicing solicitor or practicing barrister and at least one veterinarian shall be appointed to the Control Committee from time to time and the term of office of members of the Control Committee shall be three years but retiring members shall be eligible for reappointment.
The existing Control Committee was appointed by the Board on the 29th August, 2013, in accordance with Article 5 of the same legislation.
Article 9 of the above legislation provides for situations where a member of the Control Committee has (other than in that capacity) a pecuniary interest or other beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter to be considered by the Control Committee.
115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the enforcement of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, and in particular the provisions limiting the number of litters that may be registered from any one greyhound bitch; if he is aware of breaches of these particular provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/15]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. The Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 specifies standards for greyhound welfare, establishes a register of Greyhound Breeding Establishments and regulates their operation. A Code of Practice in the care and welfare of the greyhound has been established and published by Bord na gCon as per the requirements of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. The primary objective of the Code of Practice is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds.
Greyhound welfare at Bord na gCon is managed by the Welfare Manager who can call upon three area stipendiary stewards and thirteen control stewards to conduct investigations of stray or mistreated greyhounds, conduct kennel inspections and investigate other welfare related incidents which have been reported to Bord na gCon. The Welfare Manager, all area stipendiary stewards and all control stewards have been appointed by Bord na gCon as Welfare Officers under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has responsibility for the registration of greyhounds in the Stud Book. The limit on the number of litters a brood bitch may whelp is governed by Article 11 (3) of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. These provisions are enforced in the following manner: when a brood bitch is mated to produce a sixth litter, the breeder is informed at that time that they may only have a further two litters provided the brood is certified by a veterinary surgeon as being fit to be mated. Breeders are further advised when they have reached the seventh litter stage. The ICC does not register the result of a ninth mating and they have assured me they are in compliance with the provisions of the Act.
116. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the closing date for receipt of completed applications for the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme by at least one month, in view of the fact that he has imposed new terms and conditions from 5 May 2015, just 12 days prior to the current closing date, which involves a change in the ranking system for tier 3 farmers, as a result of which farm planners will be obliged to recheck applications submitted previously, in addition to ongoing attempts to submit new applications into the system on time; if he will recognise that he has imposed additional work on both farmers and farm planners at the eleventh hour; if he will make allowance for this extra work by extending the application deadline appropriately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18758/15]
View answerMy Department has not issued new Terms and Conditions, it has amended the existing document, as it has done previously, to provide clarity to certain issues where this has been sought or where this was deemed necessary in the light of queries received.
The use of ranking for selection has always been a requirement of the GLAS Scheme and the basic ranking system has not changed – it remains the case that Tier 1 receives priority over Tier 2 and Tier 2 over Tier 3. The Terms and Conditions of the Scheme have always made specific reference to the use of selection criteria in the ranking process and the most recent communications, which were included in a circular to all advisors, simply makes it clear that their use will be confined to Tier 3 applications only. This is the minimum required under the terms of the agreed Rural Development Programme. The selection criteria in question are included in the RDP and were discussed with the RDP Monitoring Committee some weeks ago, which includes representatives of the various stakeholder interests.
My Department has also prepared a ‘ready-reckoner’ which has been provided to all advisors and this will allow them to predict the scores for the various applications they have prepared very quickly. This means that advisors now have a simple way of checking that each application exceeds the required pass-mark, while at the same time they can consider whether they should make any changes before submission. For example, the selection of key actions that guarantee promotion from Tier 3 to Tier 2 is an established and well-recognised feature of GLAS, and one which I have consistently encouraged as a means of significantly increasing the probability of selection in this Tranche.
In the circumstances, I have no intention of extending the closing date for GLAS any further. As we approach that closing date, it is important that farmers and their advisors critically review their applications to ensure that the best possible projects are presented to the Department.
117. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare was not informed of a clawback from a payment under the rural environment protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18783/15]
View answerThe person named was notified of an SPS debt by letter from the Department on 20th April 2015, outlining a total debt of €8,699.85 on his 2014 Single Farm Payment. In that letter, he was advised that the debt mentioned, along with any interest charged, if not recouped from him directly, would be debited from any future payments that would fall due to him from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. A further statement issued to him on 1st May 2015 advising him that the outstanding balance on his payment at that stage was €4,337.61. The full entitlement of the person named for 2014 REPS 4 payment is €8,883.30. REPS 4 payments are made in two instalments, 75% and 25%. His 75% instalment of €6,662.48 had penalties of €1,385.52 deducted in respect of non-compliance with the REPS Scheme. The person named was notified by way of Farmers Statement of this debt on 27th April 2015. This instalment was also subject to deductions amounting to €914.76 in respect of REPS clawbacks. This related to payments made to him in previous years for REPS, and was notified to him on 21st April 2015 by way of a letter from the Department’s Local Office
After these deductions were applied, he was left with an outstanding balance on his 75% REPS4 payment of €4,362.24. However this full amount was consumed by the SPS debt of €8,699.85 and allowing for the payment of the 75% REPS4 amount, there is still a remaining debt of €4,337.61 to the Department by the person named.
The person named is still entitled to his 2014 REPS4 25% payment of €2,220.82 but as his remaining SPS debt is still €4,337.61, he will not receive this payment, as it will be used to offset his remaining debt to the Department.
I appreciate that the process of payment and deduction in this case may be quite difficult to follow, and so I am arranging for an officer of my Department to contact the person named to answer any further questions.
118. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the agreement to export beef to the United States of America was signed; if he will provide details, and the amount of beef that has been exported to the United States of America under this agreement to date. [18846/15]
View answerThe re- opening of the US market to Irish beef which was announced in January 2015 was achieved following a step-by step process that involved considerable efforts at political, diplomatic and technical level over several years. A significant milestone was reached in June 2014 when the US side sent a team of inspectors to Ireland in order to carry out an equivalence re-instatement audit including visits to 2 Irish beef processing establishments which had applied for approval to export to the US. The final report of this audit was received at the end of December 2014. Since then, three plants have been approved by my Department to produce beef for export to the U.S. I am delighted to say that trade has commenced and Irish beef is available in restaurants and supermarkets there. Obviously it takes time to scale up in such a large market but we have significant first-mover advantage by virtue of being the first and only EU member state to have achieved access.
As part of the approval, a veterinary health certificate has been agreed with the U.S. authorities in respect of “beef meat, beef meat products and beef meat by-products”. At present Irish processors have access to the U.S market for “intact beef”, i.e. beef which is not subject to grinding or certain other types of processing which involve breaking the surface area of the meat after importation, before being marketed in the U.S. Such access allows Irish beef processors to target the high value retail and food service end of the US steak market.
Any beef which is subject to grinding or certain other types of processing in the U.S. before being marketed must be treated under the USDA rules applying to “non-intact beef” in the country of origin. My Department is currently engaged in a detailed technical discussion with the U.S authorities in order to extend access to the US to include “non-intact beef” also. It is also working closely with the Irish beef plants as part of this process.
I am satisfied that we are making significant progress and am hopeful that access can be extended to these additional lower value beef products in the near future.
119. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a charter for farm inspections was introduced; if he proposes any amendments to this; and if so, when. [18847/15]
View answerThere is no specific charter for farm inspections as farms inspections come under the umbrella of the Farmers’ Charter. The Farmers’ Charter is comprised of agreed standards and delivery targets for the schemes and services, including on-farm inspections, provided by my Department to all its clients including farmers. The relevant EU Regulations are the legal instruments governing farm inspections. The Charter is effectively an agreement drawn up between my Department and the main farming organizations, which must fully respect and operate within these legal requirements.
EU legislation governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures requires my Department to carry out on-the-spot checks covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, including the eligibility of the land being declared, and compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). The legislation sets down the minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually. The legislation also prescribes, for example, the process for selecting cases for inspection, rules on the advance notification of inspections and the reductions/penalties to be applied in the event of non-compliances with scheme requirements being determined at inspections. In undertaking these inspections my Department must ensure that the legislative requirements are being met in full, to ensure that applicants under the schemes are being treated in a fair and equitable manner and that the EU funding being provided for the schemes is protected.
The current Farmers’ Charter was introduced in 2009. Negotiations on a new Farmers’ Charter are ongoing at present. My Department is endeavouring to achieve consensus with representatives of the main farmer representative organisations on some outstanding issues and will immediately move to publish the new Farmers’ Charter upon the achievement of consensus.
120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application under the 2012 suckler welfare scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18884/15]
View answerThe person named registered seventeen animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment issued in respect of two of these animals. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, data relating to the animals were to be submitted by the participant within twelve months of date of birth of the calves but data in respect of fifteen of the animals were not received until October 2014. Therefore, these animals are not eligible for payment under the Scheme.
121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding payments will issue under the 2014 single payment, the disadvantaged areas scheme and the rural environment protection scheme, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if there are any appeals lodged in this person's name, with either his Department or the Agriculture Appeals Office, awaiting a decision; the current status of these appeals; when it is likely a decision will be made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 10 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases ground eligibility inspections, to be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of these schemes this resulted in no payment in respect of the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments. The person named was notified of this decision on 10 November 2014.
The person named sought a review of this decision, the outcome of which was to uphold the original inspection decision. The person named was notified of this decision by letter dated 17 February 2015. The person named was also notified of their right to appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has advised that the person named has lodged an appeal with that office in relation to an over-declaration of land on the 2014 Single Payment/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer. Following consideration of all of the facts of the case, a comprehensive decision letter will issue to the appellant.
The processing of the application for the 2014 REPS payment, based on the area farmed as determined by SPS, will be completed shortly and my Department’s REPS Section will be in direct contact with the person named regarding this issue.
