Written Answers Nos. 80-88
80. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will outline the discussions he or his departmental officials have had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department, or to agencies of his Department, to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34903/15]
View answerThe introduction of the Living Wage Campaign is a voluntary initiative which I am championing. Over 120 employers, trade union representatives and civil society organisations gathered at Dublin Castle on 30 September to discuss the issues involved with both myself and the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton T.D. participating.
The Living Wage Campaign has been designed as a voluntary initiative, centred on the social, business and economic case and is not one based on legislation. It is different to the National Minimum Wage which is a statutory pay floor.
As the economy recovers, it is an opportune time to review issues around wage levels, employment opportunities and competitiveness. In this context, I have brought together a significant number of individuals and organisations to discuss how best to progress the issue of a Living Wage on a voluntary basis. This is very much in keeping with my agenda that work should always pay.
Currently, my Department’s suppliers and service contractors are required to confirm that they have taken account of their statutory and legal obligations relating to the employment protection and working conditions of their employees, in the provision of goods and services sought for my Department through the eTenders website.
81. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the total number of staff under the remit of his Department who have applied to be transferred to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35297/15]
View answerThe number of my Department’s staff who have applied for a transfer to offices outside Dublin is set out in the following table. This includes staff seeking to move from one of my Department’s regional locations to another.
|
Current Location |
Staff requesting transfer to location outside Dublin |
|
Carlow |
6 |
|
Cork City |
1 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
7 |
|
Total Staff |
16 |
I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide me with corresponding information in relation to their own staff and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
82. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received a payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34752/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payments / Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of the application under the ANC Scheme is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the ANC 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.
83. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Dexter cattle were not included in the 2014 green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34759/15]
View answerThere is no change to the list of rare breeds eligible for support under GLAS, and this list includes Dexter cattle. Priority entry to GLAS is available to those who were registered with the relevant breed society and had stock in 2012 and/or 2013. In the case of the Kerry Bog Pony and the Galway Sheep, which are of particular conservation concern, those acquiring stock in 2014 and registering with the relevant breed society will also be eligible under the next tranche of GLAS.
84. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on the plans for Ros an Mhíl Harbour in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34765/15]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Killybegs, Dingle, Castletownbere, and Ros an Mhíl. This Department is also responsible for North Harbour at Cape Clear Island and for maintaining a range of piers, lights and beacons around the coast in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board Piers, Lights and Beacons Act. The Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme which the Department administers on an annual basis provides funding for capital works at the above locations. The suite of projects for inclusion in the 2016 programme are being finalised as are commitments to possible longer term projects. I will make an announcement on these issues in due course.
86. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which a system may be devised to protect producers and consumers against peaks and troughs in the food production sector, which alternately affect food producers and consumers; if he has studied means whereby the more serious fluctuations may be ameliorated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34840/15]
View answerFood Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July this year, builds on the successful vision of Food Harvest 2020. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the agrifood sector and provides an enabling strategy with more than 380 specific recommendations, which will allow the sector to grow and prosper. As a small open economy which exports the vast bulk of its main agricultural commodities, Ireland will always feel the effects of volatility on world markets. However, there are measures in place to help Irish farmers through these periods:
- Direct payments estimated by Teagasc at an average of over €19,000 per farm in 2014 provide a valuable source of farm income support and act as a hedge against price volatility.
- The measures in the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme will provide vital support through farm investment, agri-environment and knowledge transfer schemes.
- The package introduced by the EU Commission recently to address difficulties in the dairy and pig meat sectors reflects the majority of the demands I presented to them, particularly
- The increase of more than 100% in the rate of private storage aid for skimmed milk powder.
- The award of almost €14 million in direct aid to Ireland.
- The concession made by the Commission to allow advance payments of 70% under the direct payments scheme and 85% for rural development schemes before completion of controls, which will be of major benefit in easing the cash flow of farmers.
I believe that an important insulation against volatility is moving up the value chain where possible, in terms of the type of products sold and how they are produced.
I have regular meetings with the CEOs of the main banks, and I know that they are all aware of the difficulties in dairy prices this year, and are planning accordingly in terms of managing dairy loans. Lower costs of production mean lower exposure to price and input volatility. In Ireland our grass based system gives us a natural advantage in this regard, and my Department is doing a lot to improve efficiency on farms, with the assistance of discussions groups and Teagasc advisory, education and research work, and in the processing sector, with initiatives like Origin Green.
The European Commission decided in June to establish a new High level Forum for a Better Functioning of the Food Chain comprising Member States and representatives of parties in the food supply chain and will assist the Commission with the development of measures contributing to a better functioning food supply chain.
Also, the 2013 reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was a useful and progressive reform making the CAP fit for purpose to 2020. It provided Irish farmers and the agrifood sector with policy certainty for the years to come and with strategic financial support to increase sustainability and enhance competitiveness. I will continue to work with my EU colleagues to ensure that we engage in policies that promote the interests of the EU agricultural sector.
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects this country to capitalise on the global food market in the future, with particular reference to added-value product; if he remains satisfied regarding the extent to which the markets for dairy, beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and fish continue to be available for Irish producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34841/15]
View answer88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to assess global markets with a view to identifying the scope for Irish exports, whether in niche or general markets in respect of dairy, beef, lamb, pigmeat, poultry and fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34842/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together.
Meat Markets
A strong global demand for meat exists and my focus as Minister is to enable Irish exporters to take advantage of the market opportunities that arise. My Department engages on an ongoing basis with many countries, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Irish embassy staff, on market access issues. These initiatives have led to a number of notable successes in securing agreement to export Irish beef to Japan, Singapore, Egypt, Iran and the US, to export sheepmeat to Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, the UAE, and Canada and to export pigmeat to Australia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Serbia.
In relation to China, there has been a lifting of the ban on boneless beef from Ireland for animals under 30 months. However, further work is required before trade will commence and my Department is at present engaging with the Chinese authorities on these technical aspects.
Irish beef is now listed with more than 75 high-end retail chains across the European Union. This broad portfolio of customers has contributed significantly to higher returns for Irish beef in recent years and reflects the success of Bord Bia’s differentiation and premiumisation strategy, which focuses on the key attributes of Irish beef: environmental sustainability, grass-based production systems, full traceability, quality assurance at all stages and superior eating quality. Among Bord Bia’s key initiatives in 2015 is the continued development, global promotion and marketing of the Origin Green initiative, designed to establish Ireland as a world leader in sustainably produced food and drink. Over 200 companies are currently working with Bord Bia to develop and commit to sustainability plans setting out clear targets in emissions, energy, waste, water, biodiversity and corporate social responsibility activities.
The poultry sector plays an important role within the Irish agricultural economy, accounting for approximately 2% of gross agricultural output and supporting around 5,000 jobs, most of these in rural areas. Export values for poultry meat have increased steadily over the last few years to c. €310 million in 2014, growing by 20% alone in the last year, as the value of trade was driven by increased shipments of processed products. A high proportion of these exports are destined for the UK market and redirected to international markets through agents for fifth quarter product like chicken feet in particular. Strong fundamentals supported demand in almost all regions of the world in 2014 and this is expected to continue in 2015, although some easing in global poultry prices is expected.
The development of a viable 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. The growth in Irish pigmeat exports to international markets evident over recent years has been negatively impacted by the restrictions of the Russian trade ban, however this has been offset by the opening of alternative spot markets such as Vietnam and the Philippines. These Asian markets will continue to provide valuable opportunities for Irish pork producers into the future.
Milk Markets
The milk quota regime ended on March 31st. The abolition of milk quota presents a massive opportunity for the Irish dairy sector and one which we should look forward to with confidence. Planning for the post quota period has been ongoing amongst all stakeholders for a number of years and I believe we have the right balance of measures in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter the new era with full confidence.
Irish Dairy produce is exported to approaching 130 countries and in 2014 exports were valued at over €3bn. Due to its reputation and significant global footprint, the dairy sector in Ireland retains significant future growth potential. The removal of quotas will be a key driver in this respect. Ireland exported dairy products worth €2.3bn in 2010 and by last year this had risen by over one-third to over €3bn. I remain acutely aware of the need to develop as many market outlets as possible for Irish dairy products. Notwithstanding our successful trade performance, I continue to work with industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agrifood sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere.
Since taking office I have led Trade Missions to a variety of destinations in recent years, including China, the United States, Algeria, Japan and the Gulf States, in order to promote Irish Food and Beverages and dairy promotion has been a significant feature of such missions. I intend to lead missions to China, Vietnam and Africa in the coming months. Most market analysts predict that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products. My aim is to help position the Irish dairy sector to be able to take advantage of this opportunity.
Seafood
Irish seafood exports recorded an increase of 7.3% in 2014 to reach a value of €533 million. The main EU markets, namely France, Spain, UK, Italy and Germany, continue to dominate seafood exports, accounting for in excess of 50% of export values. However, this compares to a 60% share in 2012 and demonstrates the on-going focus of the leading Irish seafood exporters in the development of new business in emerging markets to offset some price resistance in core European markets.
The seafood sector offers huge potential for expansion. There are a number of significant macro trends which are expected to have an impact on the future direction of the Irish seafood sector and which indicate that the prospects for this industry both at a global and European level are very favourable, especially in the medium to long term. Strong global population growth, which is expected to reach 8 billion by 2025, will result in a huge new market for seafood. Some experts estimate that an extra 40 million tonnes of seafood will be required annually by 2030. Coupled with the forecast global population growth, the rate of income growth in the Asia Pacific region is also anticipated to have far reaching implications for the consumption and trade of seafood.
Despite the opportunities for Irish seafood in emerging markets, it is important to note that longer term opportunities are not restricted solely to these regions. One of the key achievements of the sector in 2014 was the growth in exports in the core European markets with Ireland maintaining its premium position and growing sales on the back of four years of sluggish growth. In the longer term, supply constraints in these markets as a result of the shift in global supply to the East will present niche opportunities for Irish seafood exporters. It is important therefore that Ireland’s strong position and reputation in these markets is maintained and promoted to encourage loyalty and to hold market share.
Bord Bia recognises the significant growth potential of seafood and is committed to supporting the Irish seafood sector in taking advantage of these opportunities through an expansion of its seafood marketing and promotions programme over the coming years.
