Written Answers Nos. 342-66
342. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the facilities in place for receiving discards, as and from January 2016, when some demersal species must be landed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34028/15]
View answerAll fish previously discarded at sea, that must be landed from 1 January 2016 will be dealt with by the operators, who are responsible for the fish they catch and land, utilising available arrangements and, as required, facilities in our ports and harbours. However, only a small number of stocks will be subject to the landing obligation in 2016 and the challenge in 2016 should not be as large as might have been anticipated. Those fish which are under sized may not be sold for direct human consumption and I appreciate fully that there will be challenges in managing such landings. In that context, I have asked BIM to work with industry to support new arrangements for management and support, with grant aid, any new facilities needed in ports and harbours.
Following discussions at the Discards Implementation Group, BIM is organising in the near future, a workshop to examine ways of managing and dealing with under sized fish landed. It intends to bring in experts and interested parties to assist in the work. Grant aid under the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) will be made available to support investments or other actions to identify new management arrangements or permissible economic outlets for previously discarded fish. Grant aid funding will also be made available for enhanced facilities.
343. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an agri-environment options scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34029/15]
View answerThe person named is not a participant in the Agri-Environment Option Scheme. However, he was a participant in REPS. He joined the scheme on 1/2/2008 and his participation ended on 31/12/13 having completed the full term of his contract. All payments due were fully made and there are no further payments due on this contract.
344. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will approve an appeal for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to entitle that person to the national average under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34036/15]
View answerMy Department issued a guide to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements to the person named on 17th February 2015.This guide gave a provisional statement of entitlements from 2015 to 2019 under the new CAP reform. An application for a Review of Entitlements was submitted online on the 27th May 2015 in which the person named requested to have her entitlements topped up to the national average under the ‘force majeure’ category of the National Reserve. Under EU Regulation ‘force majeure’ is defined as:
(a) The death of the beneficiary;
(b) Long-term professional incapacity of beneficiary;
(c) A severe natural disaster gravely affecting the holding;
(d) The accidental destruction of livestock buildings on the holding;
(e) An epizootic or a plant disease affecting part or all of the beneficiary’s livestock or crops respectively;
(f) Expropriation of all or a part of the holding if that expropriation could not have been anticipated on the day of lodging the application.
As the circumstances outlined do not pertain to the person named, she does not qualify under Force Majeure. A further appeal was made under the ‘Specific disadvantage’ category of the National Reserve on the 17th September, 2015. This appeal is currently being processed and the person named will be contacted with the outcome of her appeal shortly.
In 2014, the person named received a total payment including Grassland Sheep Scheme of €2,438.28. Under the convergence model of the new CAP reform the person named will benefit from an increased value to her entitlements. Her total payment including greening will reach approximately €6,166 by 2019. This will result in an increase of approximately 150% from her 2014 Direct Payments.
345. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the area of natural constraint scheme and basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34042/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) application has recently been finalised. Payment under the ANC Scheme is due to issue shortly and will be paid directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.
346. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34048/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 28 April 2015. Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme application has recently been finalised, and payment is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.
347. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34049/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2015. Processing of the application under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.
348. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and the reason for the delay. [34050/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2015. Processing of the application under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.
349. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and the reason for the delay. [34051/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 28 May 2015.
EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing to eligible applicants from 16 October 2015.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
350. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an alleged dual claim under the 2015 single farm payment has been resolved; if so, when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34053/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. During processing of this application an overlap error arose in relation to one of the parcels declared. This matter is currently being resolved in favour of the person named.
In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments will commence in Ireland on 16 October 2015, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment is set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%. The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors from 16 October 2015.
351. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, following a successful appeal to the Ombudsman, will receive a payment under the disadvantaged areas aid scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34066/15]
View answerAn application under the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2014. Following processing of this application a number of issues were identified regarding land eligibility. My officials have engaged directly with the applicant in relation to this matter, and a final determination of eligible land on the holding has been arrived at. Processing of this application has recently been finalised with payment under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme due to issue shortly. Payment will issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
352. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for area aid 2015 will issue a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34073/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 10 April 2015. Processing of the application under the Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
353. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme 2015 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34075/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 28 May 2015.
EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing to eligible applicants from 16 October 2015.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
354. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an area-based payment for 2015 for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34076/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 14 May 2015.
EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing to eligible applicants from 16 October 2015.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
355. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage loss rate of bovine viral diarrhoea tags for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/15]
View answerAll cattle must be tagged on the holding of origin within 20 days of birth with two official ear tags bearing the same number. One of the tags in the set must have a tissue sampling component for the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme, the other being a conventional flag tag.
With regard to the percentage loss rate for the BVD tissue tag, since the Department does not record which tag type requires replacement and the replacement issued is always a conventional tag, it is not possible to provide a loss rate for the tissue sampling tag separately. The average annual replacement rate for all official bovine tags over the entire population for the past 3 calendar years is 4.6%.
In cases where individual keepers are experiencing problems with tissue tags, the approved tag supplier engages directly with the individual to assess the cause of the problem and work towards a resolution.
356. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his view on the reason the genetic testing for the beef genomics scheme is so expensive; his plans to reduce this cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34086/15]
View answerThe cost of the genotyping has been determined following a public tendering process undertaken by the ICBF in relation to laboratory analysis, tissue tags and the DNA chip. The new cost of the genotyping element is €22 per tag which is a 26% reduction on the 2014 cost, and a relatively small proportion of the overall payment to the farmer. By way of example, the payment to a farmer with a 20 cow herd, with 20 hectares, will be €1749.45 with genotyping for such a herd expected to cost approximately €264.
357. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrian Nádúrtha, 2015 le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34088/15]
View answerFuarthas iarratas faoi Scéim na Limistéar Nádúrtha faoi Shrianadh 2015 ón duine a ainmnítear an 12 Bealtaine 2015. Tá próiseáil an iarratais faoin Scéim LNS ar bun faoi láthair. Ar chríochnú an phróisis seo, déanfar athbhreithniú breise ar an iarratas ag féachaint le híocaíocht a eisiúint go díreach do chuntas ainmnithe bainc an duine a ainmnítear ag an dáta is luaithe is féidir.
358. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a €500 penalty recently issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the single farm payment scheme; if his Department officials will work with this person to identify an affordable solution to this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34089/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 22 May 2015. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment Scheme and other area based schemes an applicant, as well as meeting the Scheme criteria, is required to comply with EU regulatory requirements relating to Cross Compliance.
The holding of the person named was the subject of an inspection carried out on 25 March 2015 by my Department on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government . During the course of this inspection breaches were identified relating to the cross compliance requirements under the Nitrates Regulations. The breaches identified related to a lack of facilities to collect roof water, which was allowed flow onto dirty yards and dairy washings being allowed to flow directly to ground water. This resulted in a 20% penalty being applied to payments due under the 2015 Direct Payment Schemes and any other area-based payments, where applicable.
The person named was notified of this outcome on 22 April 2015 and of their right to appeal this decision to the District Inspector. To date no such request has been received by my Department.
Where penalties are applied in advance of payments issuing for a specific scheme year, EU regulations require my Department to deduct the penalty amount from any payments issuing in respect of that scheme year. In the event that a penalty is reduced or removed subsequently on appeal, any monies owing to the applicant will be processed and issued as soon as possible.
359. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 27 March 2015.
EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing to eligible applicants from 16 October 2015.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
360. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for details of the numbers of supernumerary positions in his Department and those agencies, organisations or bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/15]
View answerMy Department avails of workforce planning to determine our current and future staffing needs. Under this process, my Department continuously assesses resource requirements, and where surplus staff is identified, they are redeployed to alternative public sector posts or work is reassigned to ensure all staff are fully employed at all times.
There are currently no supernumerary positions in my Department. The provision of similar information in respect of Agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Agencies themselves.
361. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on an application under the national reserve old young farmer scheme. [34154/15]
View answerThe person named has submitted an application under the 2015 National Reserve. Processing of applications is underway which involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application. These checks are required under EU Regulations. In cases where additional information is required my Department will correspond directly with the applicant concerned.
When all checks have been completed and processing of applications has been finalised, my Department will correspond directly with each applicant to advise them of the outcome of their application.
Payments to successful applicants under the National Reserve will commence early in December 2015.
362. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the area aid entitlement of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for the years 2014; and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34157/15]
View answerThe person named did not submit applications for either the 2014 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes or the 2015 Basic Payment and Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes. Therefore, the herd owner has no entitlement to payment in either year under the aforementioned schemes.
363. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the disadvantaged areas payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34164/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2015. Processing of the application under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
364. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if scanning for microchips is compulsory in all dog pounds. [34172/15]
View answerNeither I nor my Department have any role in relation the administration of dog pounds. These matters come under the aegis of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. However, one of the reasons for introducing microchipping and registration of dogs is to facilitate lost dogs being reunited with their owners. To this end, it is envisaged that dog pound staff would, as a matter of course, scan dogs arriving at the pound.
365. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to the pre-budget submission from the Irish Farmers Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34173/15]
View answerThe Irish Farmers Association pre-budget submission deals with both taxation and expenditure. Taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. However I have on-going contact with Minister Noonan to ensure that taxation policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture, as evidenced by our cooperation on the ‘Agri-taxation Review’, which was published as part of Budget 2015.
The Agri-taxation Review is a comprehensive taxation strategy for the sector and the Government’s commitment to agriculture was evidenced by the immediate implementation of the majority of its recommendations. Of course it was not possible to implement all of the recommendations in one budget. My Department and I have been engaged with the Department of Finance on the outstanding recommendations from the Review and other taxation matters, including those raised by the faming organisations, which are being considered in the context of Budget 2016.
In relation to expenditure, the 2016 Estimate for my Department will be considered within the context of the annual gross expenditure ceilings which will be allocated to all Departments at the time of Budget 2016. My intention is to ensure that all resources available to my Department will be managed to provide the optimum economic benefit to the agri-food sector in terms of realising its future potential.
366. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide co-funding to match the recent additional €13.7 million European Union funding to alleviate farm income losses, especially the volatility in milk prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/15]
View answerIn order to effectively address the existing market disturbance in the dairy sector, the European Commission deemed it appropriate to provide grant aid to Member States in the form of a one-time financial grant as part of its recent announcement on a package . The aim of this is to support farmers in the relevant sectors who are experiencing the most acute price fall and consequences of the prolongation of the Russian import ban.
As the Deputy is aware Ireland has been granted an allocation of €13.7 million from an overall fund of €420M. The most recent Commission proposal, as revised at the request of Member States, including Ireland, provides scope for a national top up of up to 100% to this EU payment. Member States will be given the flexibility to distribute this aid through the most effective channels at their disposal. It is a clear requirement of the provisions regarding this aid that the funds need to be distributed on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria and also needs to ensure that farmers in the relevant sectors are the ultimate beneficiaries of the targeted aid.
I am consulting with stakeholders and considering how best to distribute this funding, and will consider the question of a national top up in consultation with Cabinet colleagues and in light of the availability of funding and other considerations.
