Written Answers Nos. 178 - 197
178. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a breakdown on the 90,000 jobs created in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19629/15]
View answerThe Action Plan for Jobs (APJ) contains a target to see an additional 100,000 jobs created by 2016, a target assessed via the Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) Quarterly National Household Survey, or QNHS. More specifically, the target is assessed using the seasonally adjusted employment total for the quarter in question. The latest available QNHS data refers to the fourth quarter of 2014, and is available on the CSO’s website, www.cso.ie. A complete breakdown of all QNHS data is available from that source.
In summary, according to the QNHS, the number of people employed in Ireland four years ago, in Q4 2010, was 1,857,300. In Q4 2014, the comparable number was 1,927,600, an increase of 70,300 jobs. In Q1 2012, there were 1,838,400 people employed, indicating that the number of jobs created since the APJ was launched is 89,200. The additional jobs created since the APJ was launched are broken down in the following tables, as of the CSO website on May 18 2015, and questions regarding the data should be directed to the CSO.
|
000 |
000 |
000 |
|||
|
- |
Q1 2012 |
Q4 2014 |
Change |
||
|
- |
Males |
||||
|
- |
In labour force |
1,195.5 |
1,191.3 |
-4.2 |
|
|
- |
In employment |
980.1 |
1,046.0 |
65.9 |
|
|
- |
of which: |
Full-time |
847.2 |
907.3 |
60.1 |
|
- |
Part-time |
131.6 |
138.2 |
6.6 |
|
|
A |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
72.8 |
93.0 |
20.2 |
|
|
B-E |
Industry |
169.3 |
174.6 |
5.3 |
|
|
F |
Construction |
97.9 |
107.6 |
9.7 |
|
|
G |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
138.6 |
140.1 |
1.5 |
|
|
H |
Transportation and storage |
71.9 |
72.1 |
0.2 |
|
|
I |
Accommodation and food service activities |
55.6 |
64.1 |
8.5 |
|
|
J |
Information and communication |
54.6 |
57.3 |
2.7 |
|
|
K-L |
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
46.9 |
51.0 |
4.1 |
|
|
M |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
60.5 |
72.3 |
11.8 |
|
|
N |
Administrative and support service activities |
33.8 |
32.5 |
-1.3 |
|
|
O |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
50.8 |
49.2 |
-1.6 |
|
|
P |
Education |
38.7 |
43.2 |
4.5 |
|
|
Q |
Human health and social work activities |
45.8 |
48.0 |
2.2 |
|
|
R-U |
Other NACE activities |
39.5 |
41.1 |
1.6 |
|
|
Unemployed |
216.8 |
141.5 |
-75.3 |
||
|
Not in labour force |
566.9 |
572.3 |
5.4 |
||
|
Unemployment rate % |
18.1 |
11.9 |
-6.2 |
||
|
Participation rate % |
67.9 |
67.5 |
-0.4 |
||
|
Females |
|||||
|
In labour force |
967.1 |
966.0 |
-1.1 |
||
|
In employment |
857.7 |
882.0 |
24.3 |
||
|
of which: |
Full-time |
557.3 |
575.6 |
18.3 |
|
|
Part-time |
299.8 |
307.4 |
7.6 |
||
|
A |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
9.4 |
11.9 |
2.5 |
|
|
B-E |
Industry |
68.2 |
66.6 |
-1.6 |
|
|
F |
Construction |
6.6 |
8.0 |
1.4 |
|
|
G |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
132.5 |
136.1 |
3.6 |
|
|
H |
Transportation and storage |
17.9 |
17.8 |
-0.1 |
|
|
I |
Accommodation and food service activities |
63.9 |
74.2 |
10.3 |
|
|
J |
Information and communication |
24.8 |
24.9 |
0.1 |
|
|
K-L |
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
55.3 |
50.4 |
-4.9 |
|
|
M |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
37.2 |
44.7 |
7.5 |
|
|
N |
Administrative and support service activities |
30.0 |
32.8 |
2.8 |
|
|
O |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
48.8 |
46.0 |
-2.8 |
|
|
P |
Education |
106.0 |
109.9 |
3.9 |
|
|
Q |
Human health and social work activities |
196.2 |
199.3 |
3.1 |
|
|
R-U |
Other NACE activities |
59.4 |
58.7 |
-0.7 |
|
|
Unemployed |
109.9 |
83.7 |
-26.2 |
||
|
Not in labour force |
862.3 |
871.2 |
8.9 |
||
|
Unemployment rate % |
11.4 |
8.7 |
-2.7 |
||
|
Participation rate % |
52.9 |
52.6 |
-0.3 |
||
|
All persons |
|||||
|
In labour force |
2,161.6 |
2,158.2 |
-3.4 |
||
|
In employment |
1,838.4 |
1,927.6 |
89.2 |
||
|
of which: |
Full-time |
1,405.9 |
1,482.7 |
76.8 |
|
|
Part-time |
430.2 |
445.3 |
15.1 |
||
|
A |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
82.3 |
105.9 |
23.6 |
|
|
B-E |
Industry |
237.3 |
241.2 |
3.9 |
|
|
F |
Construction |
104.2 |
115.8 |
11.6 |
|
|
G |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
271.7 |
275.9 |
4.2 |
|
|
H |
Transportation and storage |
89.9 |
90.1 |
0.2 |
|
|
I |
Accommodation and food service activities |
119.6 |
138.4 |
18.8 |
|
|
J |
Information and communication |
79.3 |
82.3 |
3.0 |
|
|
K-L |
Financial, insurance and real estate activities |
102.0 |
101.7 |
-0.3 |
|
|
M |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
97.9 |
116.9 |
19.0 |
|
|
N |
Administrative and support service activities |
63.7 |
65.7 |
2.0 |
|
|
O |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
100.0 |
95.2 |
-4.8 |
|
|
P |
Education |
144.8 |
153.0 |
8.2 |
|
|
Q |
Human health and social work activities |
241.7 |
247.9 |
6.2 |
|
|
R-U |
Other NACE activities |
98.7 |
99.6 |
0.9 |
|
|
Unemployed |
326.7 |
225.4 |
-101.3 |
||
|
Not in labour force |
1,428.6 |
1,442.8 |
14.2 |
||
|
Unemployment rate % |
15.1 |
10.4 |
-4.7 |
||
|
Participation rate % |
60.2 |
59.9 |
-0.3 |
Source: Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
See StatBank Table QNQ03 and QNQ20
See QNHS Release Background Notes for further detail. The not stated group presented in Table 2a has not been separately seasonally adjusted.
ILO Economic Status/NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector.
179. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland has the remit and role to secure jobs with companies that are at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland is the Agency under my aegis which helps companies throughout Ireland to start and scale, to innovate and remain competitive on international markets. The manufacturing and internationally traded services companies that Enterprise Ireland (EI) works with are a vital source of employment in every county in Ireland and are spread across a wide range of sectors.
In January, EI reported that its client companies created 19,705 new jobs in 2014, and when job losses in these companies are taken into account, they created 8,476 net new jobs - the highest net gain in the history of the Agency. EI supported companies now directly provide employment for 180,072 people, comprising 156,202 full-time and 23,870 part-time workers.
EI uses a developmental approach across all aspects of clients’ needs, including business development, sales and marketing capabilities, innovation and R&D activity, technology development, continuous competitiveness and lean improvements, leadership and management development, and access to finance.
Recognising the diversity of the EI client base, its supports are tailored to reflect each company’s stage of development. This ensures that all of its new and existing clients, from Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups, to exporting SMEs and scaling companies, can access the appropriate supports to help them to create and sustain jobs.
EI works very closely with its client companies, seeking to proactively address development challenges or to engage before serious financial or other difficulties arise.
EI engages closely with those client companies reporting difficulties or potential job loses to determine the appropriate action and proactive measures that can be put in place.
Since the onset of the economic crisis, EI has invested in thousands of client companies with the objective of sustaining and growing their employment. In addition, EI works in close concert with partner development Agencies to respond to incidences with larger companies where a significant number of jobs are at risk. The objective in these circumstances is to identify all opportunities to maximise the number of jobs maintained, for example, through support for spin-out start-ups, Management Buy Outs, or commercial partnering. Taskforces comprising relevant personnel from the Development Agencies and other key stakeholders are used in these cases.
It is also important that in the event that a company in serious financial difficulty downsizes or closes, a range of interventions in other government policy areas can be brought to bear e.g. Redundancy Payments Scheme, Labour Activation/Training etc. which seek to ameliorate the impact of job losses.
180. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to introduce a grant system, through the local enterprise offices, for small and medium-sized companies affected by IS EN 1090, in order to offset the costs of achieving CE marking of steel certification to a European standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19668/15]
View answerThe Construction Products Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 225 of 2013) were signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in June 2013, to facilitate the application of the Construction Products Regulation (or CPR) in Ireland and providing for inspection of products on the Irish market by Local Authorities. Since July 2014 structural steelwork and aluminium now fall under the CPR and therefore must carry CE marking to demonstrate that they comply with the European Commission’s harmonised standard EN 1090-1:2009 which relates to the Execution of Steel Structures and Aluminium Structures.
Under EN standard 1090, there are requirements for conformity assessment of structural components, which requires certification by a third party, known as a 'notified inspection body'. In Ireland, the certification role is performed by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
In view of the NSAI’s final certification role, and given the roles and responsibilities of other Departments and agencies, my Department has discussed the requirements of the CPR with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DCELG), the Department of Education and Skills, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO’s) network and the NSAI.
Any difficulty facing the small business sector is of course a concern. While there is no direct funding available from this Department for companies to upskill or update their processes in order to meet the CE marking requirements, there is information and guidance available through the DCELG website, the LEO’s and the NSAI.
With regard to the role of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in providing training support for companies affected by the CPR, the LEOs were established as a first-stop-shop for the provision of advice and supports to the micro and small enterprise sector.
Five information workshops about the requirements under the CPR have been hosted over recent months by the LEO’s in conjunction with the NSAI at various locations throughout the country. Steel fabricator companies affected by the CPR requirements were advised that they could explore training provision with SOLAS, Education and Training Boards (ETB) or Institutes of Technology (IT) for welding courses, and ultimately, CE marking certification which can be organised through the NSAI for companies who have successfully implemented the requirements of the CPR.
The provision of the specialist technical training required to achieve certification to an International or European Standard, such as that required by steel fabricators in this instance, is outside of the remit of the LEO services. However, I understand that the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Shannon, Tralee and Waterford provide metal fabrication apprenticeship training, which incorporates elements of certification training.
181. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has availed of the opportunity to access the confidential reading rooms in the US Embassy in Dublin, in order to assess the content of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; if so, if he has had the opportunity to read US input papers and draft partnership chapters, consolidated texts, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19669/15]
View answerI very much welcome Commissioner Malmström’s efforts to improve transparency since she took office. As the Deputy will be aware the EUs negotiating documents and concept papers are now available publically on the EU’s Trade website. Together with other member states we have encouraged the Commissioner in her discussion with the US side to improve access to the US negotiating documents and in this context the opening of reading rooms is a welcome first step. I have not had the opportunity to read US input papers as they are not available. However, I look forward to the availability of consolidated texts in due course and to having access to these documents in Dublin.
182. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by his Department in legal fees in 2012, 2013 and 2014 in appealing decisions taken by the High Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/15]
View answerThe amount spent by my Department in legal fees in appealing decisions taken by the High Court for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 is as follows:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2012 |
€109,697.05 |
|
2013 |
€28,817.35 |
|
2014 |
€45,725.00 |
183. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position in regard to public money and animal welfare (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19738/15]
View answerMy Department has had extended correspondence with the person referred to by the deputy in relation to this matter and has explained the position to him on many occasions. In addition, HRI and the Turf Club have confirmed to my Department that they have fully examined all matters under their remit in respect of this issue, and that they have apprised the person concerned of the outcome. My Department has advised the person concerned that the matters raised were outside its remit but that he was at liberty to refer the matter to An Garda Síochána for further investigation if he wished.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was commenced on the 6th March 2014 and, arising from its commencement, all animal welfare matters now come within the remit of my Department. However, the position is that the Act does not have retrospective effect, and therefore matters which took place prior to the 6th March 2014 and were not part of the remit of my Department at that time remain outside my Department’s competence.
184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a sheep technology adoption programme subsidy in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19163/15]
View answerThe person named, although a participant in the 2014 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme was not included in a return (Form STAP3) by his discussion group facilitator indicating compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme. Accordingly, he was not considered for payment.
To date no appeal has been received in this matter. Furthermore the medical evidence mentioned has not been received by my Department. An official from my Department will make contact with the person named with a view to carrying out a review of the case and concluding the matter.
185. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2013 single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19180/15]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 18 April 2013. Payment has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme's minimum stocking density requirements. The person named was informed of this decision in writing on 30 January 2014 and advised of the option to appeal the decision should he so wish. To date no appeal has been received by my Department.
186. 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 Mayo; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19191/15]
View answerThe person named was one of a number of applicants under the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases are impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 and who applied for and was refused for derogation in this regard. The person named was notified of the outcome in writing and advised of the option to appeal to the Agricultural Appeals Committee should she so wish.
187. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single payment overpayment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19212/15]
View answerOfficials in my Department have examined the case of 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named. As the parcel in question was afforested in 2014 and has been deemed eligible for aid under the Afforestation Scheme it can be considered as eligible land under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme. My Department is now arranging to update the 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named to reflect this position. On completion of this process arrangements will be made to cancel the previously notified debt.
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a penalty applied to a single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19388/15]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013 and payments issued on 16 October 2013, 2 December 2013 and 30 September 2014 respectively under the Single Farm Payment Scheme and a payment issued on 27 September 2013 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features and the person named was notified. In order to clarify the position regarding the area of any ineligible features my Department arranged for a ground verification check to be undertaken.
My Department is currently carrying out a full assessment of this case and will make direct contact with the person named when this assessment is completed.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason commonage in respect of farmers (details supplied) in County Kerry has been declared abandoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19390/15]
View answerMy Department is carrying out a review of the findings of the inspection of the commonage parcel in question. On completion of this review, direct contact will be made with all of the claimants involved advising them of the outcome of this review.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm inspection report is void without the signature of the landowner; if an inspection report is available to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/15]
View answerEU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and other area-based schemes requires my Department to carry out on-the-spot checks on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the schemes and compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). These inspections are mandatory and there are certain numbers and types that must take place annually. The governing regulations prescribe that for eligibility inspections a control report must be completed for every inspection. The regulations also state that the farmer shall be given the opportunity to sign the report during the check to attest his presence at the check and to add observations. A farmer does not have to sign the report and the lack of a signature does not diminish the report. Where irregularities are identified at the inspection the farmer must receive a copy of the control report.
In the case of Cross Compliance inspections, the regulations state that a control report must be completed for every inspection. In addition, the regulations prescribe that the farmer must be informed of any non-compliance determined at the inspection. It is not a regulatory requirement, for Cross Compliance inspections, that the farmer be given the opportunity to sign the control report.
191. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the outstanding charge levied in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if it relates to the use of fresh water and waste facilities not used by the named person; if this fact has been taken into account; if this is a standard charge to all boat owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19420/15]
View answerPursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs. Charges for the use of facilities and services at each of the Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 214 of 2012) which came into effect on 1 July 2012. Different rates apply according to the type and nature of the vessel, the different use made of the facilities by the vessel, the size of the vessel and the quantity and species of fish landed (where applicable). For ease of reference the relevant charges under S.I. No. 214 of 2012 being applied to the person concerned are set out in the following table.
Charge 9 of Schedule 1 provides inter alia that the use of fresh water is “...mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not they use fresh water...” other than vessels paying under charge no. 5 and charge no. 10 in Schedule 1 and charge no. 17 in Schedule 2. In this regard, please note the following:
- Charge no. 5 of Schedule 1 relates to landing of whitefish. It is generally only larger fishing vessels that opt to be invoiced under this charge.
- Charge no. 10 of Schedule 1 relates to use of harbour by passenger boats/vessels and cruise vessels.
- Charge no. 17 of Schedule 2 relates to berthing of yachts and pleasure crafts.
Waste charges are mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not waste is disposed of, as set out in Charge 10 of Schedule 2. The Deputy should be aware that the mandatory nature of the charge is designed to reduce any incentive to discharge waste at sea.
My Department is satisfied that the amount(s) that the person concerned has been invoiced for under the above Order to date are correct having regard to the provisions of the three charges as set out as follows.
|
Charge No/ Schedule No |
Description of Facility or Service |
Rate or Charge |
|
Charge 4/Schedule 1 |
Use of harbour in connection with discharging of fish- (a) value: 0 — €500 per tonne |
€4 per tonne/€0.20 per 50kg |
|
(b) value: €501 — €10,000 per tonne |
€10 per tonne/€0.50 per 50kg |
|
|
(c) value: €10,001 or more per tonne |
€40 per tonne/€2 per 50 kg |
|
|
(d) landings of mackerel and horse mackerel, over 2 tonnes |
€14 per tonne/€0.70 per 50 kg |
|
|
Fish Values to be based on the average price in the relevant harbour in the previous calendar year as determined by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. Previous calendar year values will come into effect on 1 June each year. Note: Where average price values for the previous calendar year are not available either current values or values for the most recent calendar year available, whichever is the higher, will be substituted. |
||
|
(e) fish for reduction to fishmeal |
€2 per tonne/€0.10 per 50 kg |
|
|
Charge 9/Schedule 1 |
Use of fresh water (mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not they use fresh water) other than vessels paying under charge no. 5 and charge no. 10 in this Schedule and charge no. 17 in Schedule 2: (a) fishing vessels (6 metres or more in length overall — Loa) |
€30 per month per vessel or €2.50 per cubic metre metered |
|
(b) pelagic vessels |
€90 per month per vessel or €2.50 per cubic metre metered |
|
|
(c) all other vessels *Note: If a charge for fresh water is levied at one Fishery Harbour Centre this charge will not be levied in another Fishery Harbour Centre used within that month. |
€2.50 per cubic metre metered |
|
|
Charge 10/Schedule 2 |
Disposal of ship generated waste*. A vessel of — (a) less than 10 gross tons |
€20 per month |
|
(b) 10 or more gross tons |
€40 per month |
|
|
(c) 20 or more gross tons |
€60 per month |
|
|
(d) 30 or more gross tons |
€80 per month |
|
|
(e) 100 or more gross tons |
€100 per month |
*Note:
1. This charge is mandatory on all vessels using a Fishery Harbour Centre whether or not waste is disposed of.
2. If a charge for disposal of waste is levied at one Fishery Harbour Centre in a month this charge will not be levied in another Fishery Harbour Centre used within that month.
192. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue in respect of professional fees for attendance at a court (details supplied); if he will ensure that there is no further delay in having this payment issued, as the court took place in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19449/15]
View answerIn line with normal practice, the person concerned was asked in December 2014, through the local State Solicitor to whom he had submitted his initial claim, to provide a breakdown of the fees claimed along with supporting documentation.
My Department has not received the requested material to date. On receipt of this, the matter can be progressed.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a herd number in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19481/15]
View answerAn application for a herd number from the person concerned was received on 25 March. The application is currently being processed by the Regional Veterinary Office of my Department and will be finalised as soon as possible.
I should clarify that, where an applicant under the National Reserve priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ had not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 31 March 2015, their application under the National Reserve will be accepted once they had applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 31st March 2015. Similarly, applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme who have not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 29 May 2015 will have their applications under the Scheme accepted once they have applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 29 May.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a herd number in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/15]
View answerAn application in respect of the person concerned was received on 4 March. The application is currently being processed by the Regional Veterinary Office of my Department and will be finalised as quickly as possible.
As the Deputy is aware, there has been a considerable increase in activity in this area and, to date this year, my Department’s Regional Offices have processed over 3,000 new herd number applications and over 3,200 amendments to existing herd numbers.
I should clarify that, where an applicant under the National Reserve priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ had not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 31 March 2015, their application under the National Reserve will be accepted once they had applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 31 March 2015. Similarly, applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme who have not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by the closing date of 29 May 2015 will have their applications under the Scheme accepted once they have applied for a herd number or to be added to a herd number prior to 29 May.
195. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to publish details of the single payments received by farmers; if so, the date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/15]
View answerIn accordance with EU legislation (Regulation EU No: 1306/13) the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is obliged to ensure annual ex-post publication of all of the beneficiaries of CAP funding - both legal and non-legal persons. In accordance with the regulation the Department must, by the 31 May 2015, publish:
- The name of the beneficiary (unless the amount of payment under CAP funds is less than €1,250 in which case the individual will be identified by a code).
- The municipality where the beneficiary is resident.
- The amount of payment corresponding to each measure received by a beneficiary, and
- The nature and description of each measure.
The requirements imposed by an EU Regulation are directly applicable and binding in their entirety on a Member State and the Department does not have any discretion in the matter.
Work on developing the CAP beneficiaries’ database is ongoing in my Department and it is intended that all appropriate information will be published in the required format by the 31 May deadline.
196. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting processing in his Department; the number waiting for more than 12 months; the number of licences granted by his Department in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19502/15]
View answerAt present there are 625 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination, of which 530 have been waiting for a period of over 12 months.
The number of licences issued in each of the past four years is as follows:
|
Year |
No. |
|
2011 |
6 |
|
2012 |
16 |
|
2013 |
108 |
|
2014 |
94 |
The majority of areas in which aquaculture licence determinations are pending are designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive (Natura sites). My Department is constrained by law from issuing or renewing aquaculture licences for sites located within these areas until such time as Appropriate Assessments have been conducted for the purpose of environmental compliance with these Directives.
My Department is working with the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the National Parks and Wildlife Service through a multi-annual work programme for aquaculture sites located within Natura areas. All of the baseline data on habitats and species for ‘natura’ areas has been acquired allowing for the Conservation Objectives to be set. This will enable all new and renewal aquaculture applications to be assessed in accordance with EU legislative requirements. A key factor of this work programme is the identification of prioritised bays based on the number of aquaculture sites and also the ready availability of scientific data and other factors. The prioritised list of bays is kept under continuous review by my Department in order to facilitate the optimum use of scientific and other resources.
The Appropriate Assessment process has now been completed in respect of twelve bays – Castlemaine Harbour, Roaringwater Bay, Dundalk Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal Bay, Dungarvan Harbour, Ballycotton Bay, Kenmare Bay, Valentia Harbour/Portmagee Channel, Galway Bay, Clew Bay and Drumcliff Bay. While these Appropriate Assessments are carried out on a bay by bay basis, each licence application within a bay must be assessed individually. Factors to be considered include location of the sites within a bay, species, scale and intensity of production, potential visual impact etc.
A significant number of aquaculture licence determinations have been made in respect of three Natura sites, Castlemaine, Roaringwater and Donegal Bay. My Department is currently examining the outcome of the remaining Appropriate Assessments which have been received to date, with a view to formulating policy recommendations in respect of individual licences held by operators in those bays. Such policy recommendations will take account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each licence application. Work is ongoing in this area and it is anticipated that a significant number of licence determinations will be achieved this year.
In addition to the Natura requirements, under the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, all licence applications must undergo an Environmental Impact Screening Assessment. This requires significant input from my Department’s scientific and technical advisers.
197. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange an urgent field verification visit to a herdowner (details supplied) in County Mayo, as this matter is delaying the transfer of the herd number and an application that must be submitted by 29 May 2015. [19550/15]
View answerI have arranged for my Department to carry out a field verification check on the land in question to establish its eligibility for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes. The person named will be informed of the findings of the verification check immediately following the completion of the visit.
