Written Answers Nos. 558 - 576
558. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 142 of 26 March 2015 and 366 of 21 April 2015, his views that an applicant has the right to refuse the inspectors entry; the way this right may be refused if an applicant to the schemes is not informed of the inspectors' presence on the applicant's lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32216/15]
View answerIn submitting an application under the Direct Payment Schemes and other area-based schemes, applicants agree to comply fully with the terms and conditions of the scheme. The terms and conditions for these schemes clearly state that applicants agree to permit officials of the Department to carry-out on-farm inspections with or without prior notice. If an applicant does not wish to abide by or fails to comply with this requirement of terms and conditions for the schemes they put at risk all payments due for the schemes concerned.
559. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his staff may enter lands where one or more land owners, who are not applicants of any scheme, and therefore have not signed up to the terms, have not provided him with permission to enter their lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32217/15]
View answerUnder the Direct Payment Schemes my Department’s staff only enter farmer’s property on foot of an application under one or more of these schemes in accordance with the terms and conditions of that scheme. It is a condition of all such schemes that an applicant who submits lands as part of that scheme, grants permission to the Department to inspect all the lands submitted by that applicant, with or without notice.
560. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the proposals he put forward at the recent EU Agriculture Council in relation to the need to assist dairy farmers due to the very serious drop in milk prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32318/15]
View answer561. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the specific proposals he put forward at the recent EU Agriculture Council in relation to the need to increase the intervention price for dairy products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32319/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 561 together.
Having witnessed dairy market developments affecting milk and dairy commodity prices in Ireland and the EU, I presented a paper offering possible solutions to both the EU Commissioner and my EU ministerial colleagues earlier this month. These were presented on the basis of my belief that they were appropriate for consideration by the Council and as a response to the market issues that had developed. This list was not exhaustive and I sought to reach common ground with other Ministers regarding a suite of appropriate solutions.
Whilst welcoming the steps previously taken by the Commission, including extensions to the dates for Aids to Private Storage and Intervention, I noted that having regard to the acute downturn in global milk prices over the past several months, and the severe impact this is having on farm incomes, that a number of further steps were urgently required including:
i. Utilising the provisions of Article 219 of the CMO Regulation to temporarily increase the threshold prices, with particular reference to skimmed milk powder.
ii. Restoring the scheme providing Aids to Private Storage for cheese which was introduced by the Commission in September 2014 but discontinued shortly after. In addition I called for the existing aid rates in the PSA schemes for butter and SMP to be reviewed immediately.
iii. Increasing the EU budget for market supports in light of the fact that the assigned revenues deriving from super levies will be some €400 million higher than originally foreseen in the draft budget for 2016.
iv. Using exceptional promotion measures to promote the consumption of dairy products on EU, but especially on 3rd country markets.
v. Increasing the advance of the Basic Payment and other elements of Direct Payments Scheme and from 16th October 2015 to 70%, to alleviate cashflow difficulties.
vi. I also called for the reopening of the scheme on Private Storage for Pigmeat which was closed in May of this year.
In the longer term, I also made it clear that from my perspective, it will be necessary to give consideration at EU level to responses to volatility issues in the future such as more price transparency through the EU's Milk Market Observatory, further consideration of the role that might be played by futures markets, and the use of financial instruments specifically designed to take account of the cash flow impact of downward price cycles in commodity markets.
I am pleased to note that of the final decision at Council on the aid package, including the 100% in the case of the PSA scheme for SMP, took account of Ireland's six point plan. Unfortunately a temporary top-up in the intervention price for SMP did not enjoy the support of all Ministers or the Commission. However, the improved PSA scheme for SMP, which will include longer periods for storage as well as the improved aid rates, the re-introduction of PSA for cheese, the provision allowing 70% advance in the single farm payment, the provision of increased funding for promotion and the provision of almost €14m in targeted direct aid for farmers can go some way towards alleviating the worst effects of the current market downturn.
562. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals, he put forward at the recent EU Agriculture Council in relation to the need to provide support for the pigmeat sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32320/15]
View answerThe development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are in the range of €570 million, continuing the growth seen in recent years. Pigmeat prices tend to be cyclical in nature with periods of lower prices and production followed by recovery. My Department carefully monitors developments in the pig sector, both domestically and internationally. I am conscious of the fact that prices have come under pressure over the last year and the difficulties that this is causing for producers. Having said that, Irish prices have been on par with the EU average for 2015. However I would also add that like any other EU Minister I do not have a role in the setting of prices. This is a function of the market.
Earlier this year I called on the European Commission to monitor the developments on markets and where necessary, to quickly activate safety net provisions such as public interventions and/or private storage aid. This resulted in the introduction of the Aids to Private Storage scheme for the pigmeat sector which opened in early March of this year. However due to the fact that EU pigmeat market prices stabilised somewhat over recent weeks and the uptake of the scheme by operators dropped to minimal volumes, the Commission closed the scheme as of the end of April.
In the run-up to the recent Council of Ministers’ meeting, I put forward specific measures for the pigmeat sector as part of my six-point plan. Key amongst these was the re-introduction of the APS scheme for pigmeat. I am pleased to say that the Commission agreed to introduce such a scheme and will be coming forward with such a proposal in the coming weeks, which will include support for storage of fresh lard for the first time. I am confident that these improved aid rates and conditions can help to bring the markets back into balance. I also called for additional measures to promote the consumption of pigmeat on international markets and the EU Commission package includes enhanced promotion measures for pigmeat.
In relation to the Russian ban on EU pigmeat exports, I am fully aware of the concerns Irish pig farmers have as a result of the closure of this market. My Department has met with the Russian authorities on a number of occasions to impress upon them the importance we attach to the normalisation of trade with Russia. I have also called on the EU Commission to re-engage with Russia with a view to re-opening that market to pigmeat products that are not subject to the Presidential Decree. Last week the EU Commission agreed to resume these discussions with Russia.
Support continues to be provided by my Department for the pig sector in a number of ways. Firstly I have included provision in the Rural Development Programme for an on-farm capital investment scheme, TAMS II, with an overall budget of €395 million across all sectors. Some €37 million has been allocated for 2015. Amongst the areas identified for initial funding are investments on pig farms for energy, water meters and medicine dispensers. Other elements of the RDP, such as a targeted on farm animal health and welfare scheme will also be of benefit to the pig sector.
Other supports for the sector come through Teagasc which, through its Moorepark pig research facility and courses in pig production, plays an important role in improving production at farm level.
I am also conscious of the need to promote the consumption of Irish pigmeat in domestic and overseas markets. Bord Bia provides assistance to the pigmeat sector through its marketing and promotional activities, and the pigmeat quality assurance scheme helps to consolidate the position of Irish pigmeat on the domestic market and to expand its presence on EU and third country markets.
For my part I have undertaken to ensure that as many alternative markets as possible are open to Irish Pigmeat processors since the closure of the Russian market last year. In this regard I was pleased to announce the opening of the markets in Vietnam and the Philippines for Irish pigmeat which will serve as valuable alternative markets to Russia for Irish pigmeat exports. My Department will continue in its efforts to develop access to international markets.
563. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of internal audit across his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees, as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32544/15]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial management and controls and to this end it is the policy of the Department to maintain and support a quality internal audit function. The Department’s Internal Audit Unit derives its authority from the Secretary General, in his capacity as Accounting Officer, to whom the Director of Internal Audit reports directly. The Department has seventeen staff assigned to its Internal Audit Unit. The role of the Unit is to give assurance to the Secretary General, the Audit Committee and senior management as to the adequacy of the Department's risk management, control and governance processes. The Unit also carries out an audit programme in accordance with a number of EU Regulations in respect of EU Funds. The Internal Audit Unit does not engage in line functions in order to preserve its independence, which is essential in its provision of impartial advice to management. In addition the Unit provides all necessary support to the Department’s Audit Committee.
The Department is subject to a significant level of external audit from bodies such as the Comptroller and Auditor General, the EU Commission, the Court of Auditors and, in relation to the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy, the Certifying Body, appointed under the relevant EU Regulations. The Internal Audit Unit co-operates fully with these auditors.
The Audit Committee of the Department has been established to independently advise the Secretary General of the Department and the Minister on internal audit policies and the management of risk, appropriate to the functioning of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Audit Committee’s main roles are to advise on the suitability and robustness of the Department’s internal control systems, to advise on the operation of the internal audit function within the Department, and to examine and monitor the implementation of the Department’s risk management strategy. The Audit Committee is independent of the Department and is objective in its considerations. The Committee has an advisory role and accordingly is not responsible for any executive functions. It meets at least 4 times per year.
Internal audit work is carried out in accordance with the standards and guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and best practice of organisations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.
564. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide services, such as consultancy work, recruitment services and other outsourced services, for example cleaning, catering and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32709/15]
View answerIt is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
565. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the long delays in the convening of the Army Medical Board in relation to medical pension applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30694/15]
View answerThe Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Acts 1923 -1980 (as amended). Its principal function is to investigate applications for disability pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Army Pensions Acts and to report its findings to the Minister for Defence. The Board consists of a chairman and two ordinary members (both medical doctors). One of the doctors must be a Medical Officer of the Permanent Defence Force.
The Board met on 25 occasions in 2014 and has met on 12 occasions to date in 2015. The most recent meeting of the Board was on 3 September 2015 and the next meeting is scheduled for 24 September 2015. The convening of the Board is subject to the availability of the members.
566. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence in view of his power to do so, if he will waive or amend the four-year rule contained in Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series), Dress and Medals and agree to bestow Distinguished Service medals on persons (details supplied) in recognition of their heroic actions in relation to a fire on board the LE Cliona in 1962. [31000/15]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the provisions for the award of military medals are incorporated in Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) - 'Dress and Medals'. The Regulations provide that a recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal must be made and forwarded to the Chief of Staff not later than four years after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made.
I have been advised by the military authorities that there is no record of such a recommendation having been made, at the time of the event or at any time since, in respect of the individuals referred to by the Deputy. While acknowledging that these two men, along with the rest of the ship’s company, performed effectively in extinguishing the fire on the LE Clíona in 1962, there is no scope within the context of the provisions of Defence Force Regulations for further action with regard to the possible award of the Distinguished Service Medal. Furthermore, I have no plans to amend the Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) in this regard.
567. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the deployment of Military Police in the monitoring of traffic speed limits; if Military Police were used in the detection of speeding for civilian vehicles; his views on the matter of Military Police supporting An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31186/15]
View answerThe Military Police are responsible for ensuring good order and discipline within the Defence Forces and this role includes monitoring the speed of military service vehicles and the speed of all traffic within military installations.
Speed checks are conducted outside of military installations on a regular basis by the Military Police but this is to detect the speed of military service vehicles only. Typically such speed checks occur on the main supply routes between military installations. The Military Police do not have any role in monitoring the speed of civilian vehicles but, through local liaison, An Garda Síochána are informed if Military Police are planning to conduct speed checks in the Garda area of responsibility.
568. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Defence the costs to his Department or any agencies under his Department that were incurred due to the filming by a company (details supplied) at the UNESCO world heritage site Sceilig Mhichíl. [31352/15]
View answerOne of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid to the civil power, which in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
Pursuant to a request made by An Garda Síochána for the support of a Naval vessel, LE Ciara was deployed in the waters around Sceilig Mhichíl last week.
No additional costs were incurred as a consequence of this deployment as such support to An Garda Síochána is part of the normal activities of the Naval Service.
569. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Defence if all Naval vessels are equipped with defibrillators; if appropriate training has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31407/15]
View answerI am advised by the Military Authorities that all ships in the fleet carry defibrillators.
Training in the operation of this equipment is provided by approved in house instructors and all training is in accordance with PHECC (Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council) guidelines.
570. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of annual pension payments made by his Department that exceed €60,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32002/15]
View answerTaking account of the impact of the Public Service Pension Reduction under the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts, there are currently twenty Permanent Defence Force (PDF) pensioners whose gross pensions before tax and USC are in excess of €60,000 a year.
The requested information in respect of retired civil servants of the Department of Defence or retired civilian employees formerly employed with the PDF is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
571. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the work being done by the Irish Naval Service saving refugees in the Mediterranean Sea. [32329/15]
View answerFollowing a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. During her deployment from mid-May to mid-July 2015, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants from the waters between Libya and Sicily.
L.É. Niamh replaced L.É. Eithne on the humanitarian search and rescue operation, and on 18 July, commenced rescue operations in the Mediterranean. To date, L.É. Niamh has been involved in the rescue of 4,020 migrants. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh since her deployment.
On 2nd September 2015, the Government noted my decision to extend the period of the deployment of an Irish Naval Vessel to the Mediterranean, assisting the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations, for a further period up to end of November 2015. This deployment is subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis and the operational need to continue to provide such assistance. L.É. Samuel Beckett will replace L.É. Niamh in the mission and is scheduled to depart from Naval Services Headquarters on Thursday 24 September 2015.
It is intended that the deployment of the L.É. Samuel Beckett will complete the Naval Services current mission to the Mediterranean. The question of a further deployment at some stage in the future may be considered again in the context of the ongoing situation in the Mediterranean and the overall EU response thereto and the overall demands on the Defence Forces, our overseas commitments and available resources.
572. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the status of internal audit across his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees, as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32548/15]
View answerThe Department of Defence has a long-established Internal Audit Unit which operates in accordance with the Internal Audit Standards published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in November 2012. These Standards apply the Institute of Internal Auditors’ International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing across all Departments and other Vote Holders. Under these Standards, the head of Internal Audit Unit reports to the Accounting Officer.
The Department also has a long-standing Audit Committee which operates in accordance with the Guidance on Audit Committees issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in September 2014. The Audit Committee meets at least four times per year, in accordance with its charter, and the head of the Internal Audit Unit attends all Audit Committee meetings. The Audit Committee reviews the annual work-plan of the Internal Audit Unit before it is approved by the Accounting Officer and the Internal Audit Unit makes an annual written report to the Committee.
The Comptroller and Auditor General provides the external audit service in respect of Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) and the Internal Audit Unit has an ongoing constructive relationship with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. All internal audit reports are sent to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. In accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee meets with staff from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General on an annual basis to discuss relevant audit matters.
573. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide services, such as consultancy work, recruitment services and other outsourced services, for example cleaning, catering and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/15]
View answerI am advised that the total fees paid to private for-profit companies by my Department for outsourced services in the period September 2014 to August 2015 was €1.318 million.
574. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide public services, for example, waste collection, motorway toll operators, public transport such as Veolia-Luas and private bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32721/15]
View answerMy Department is not responsible for the provision of any public services which have been outsourced.
575. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will clarify the current parental leave policy; if she will consider a review of the situation, with particular reference to a move towards one year of paid parental leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30605/15]
View answerUnder the Maternity Protection Acts, a mother of a newborn child is entitled to 26 weeks maternity leave, and a benefit is payable under the Social Welfare Acts in respect of that period of leave. A further, optional, period of unpaid leave is also available. Similar arrangements apply in the case of adoption. Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) both parents are entitled to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave on the birth or adoption of a child. Such leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed in the case of adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness.
The Government has approved the drafting of a new Family Leave Bill to consolidate with amendments all existing family leave legislation such as carer’s leave, parental leave, maternity leave, and adoptive leave into one piece of legislation. While the introduction of paid parental leave is not a part of that exercise, active consideration is being given to the introduction of two weeks paid paternity leave - as announced previously by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
576. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will support a matter (details supplied) regarding disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30613/15]
View answerThe existing Disability Strategy Implementation Plan covers the period up to end-2015 and we have commenced a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders with a view to putting a revised National Disability Inclusion Strategy in place as from early 2016. This is a 3 phase consultation process. Phase 1 - which focussed on identification of key themes - has recently been completed and the submissions received are currently being analysed with the assistance of the National Disability Authority. Phase 2 will build on this analysis and focus on high-level objectives under each theme. The Department will shortly commence formal consultations with stakeholders with a view to identifying and agreeing these high-level objectives for the years 2016 to 2019. As well as seminars and meetings with organisations at national level, the consultation process at Phase 2 will include a series of regional public meetings to allow maximum participation by anyone interested in contributing to the development of a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
Phase 3 will follow on with a focus on agreeing specific actions and timelines in relation to each objective. In very brief summary, my objective is to ensure a rigorous focus on identifying the key themes that impact on the lives of people with disabilities, on identifying agreed objectives within each theme and on developing specific actions to be undertaken to achieve each of the agreed objectives, together with timelines and key performance indicators so that the new Strategy will make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities. When I launched the overall consultation process in May last, I made the point that we have an opportunity for the first time in many years now to address the issues of concern to people with disabilities in a sustained way. The submission concerned is a welcome contribution to this review of disability strategy and I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders in that process.
I might also mention that the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, which I chair, and which comprises representatives from across Government Departments, representatives from the City and County Managers Association, the National Disability Authority, a broad range of disability organisations and a number of individuals appointed in their personal capacity to bring their lived experience to the table, will have a central role in shaping the new National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
