Written Answers Nos. 296-299
296. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 399 and 407 of 3 November 2015, if he will confirm, pursuant to his reply, that in circumstances where a young farmer is taking over a holding which is non-compliant with the nitrates directive, no grant-aid is available to assist with the control of farm yard pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39471/15]
View answerI confirm that there are no grant aids in place for the control of farm yard pollution in cases where the holding is non-compliant with the Nitrates Directive. However, a Young Farmer who takes over a holding is eligible for a very wide range of other investments under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, all of which are payable at the higher rate of 60%. In addition, it is to be expected that the majority of Young Farmers will be taking over family holdings which should be fully compliant already.
297. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39473/15]
View answerAn application under Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 29 May 2015. Processing of the application 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.
298. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39474/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 20 March 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes 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.
299. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is mandatory for all fishermen and other persons working on Irish fishing vessels, including persons from outside the European Economic Area, to hold a safety card approved by Bord Iascaigh Mhara stating that they have completed standards of training, certification and watchkeeping courses in firefighting and survival skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39483/15]
View answerThe Fishing Vessel (Basic Safety Training) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 587 of 2001) provide that every crew member of a fishing vessel shall undertake basic safety training, including:
1. Personal survival techniques, including man overboard techniques,
2. Elementary first aid,
3. Fire prevention, health and safety training.
The training must be provided to a standard specified by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. On completion of training, fishermen receive a BIM Commercial Fishing Training Record Book (safety card).
A crew member who has not successfully completed this basic safety training is not permitted to work on board a fishing vessel. A crew member is defined as the skipper or any other person gainfully employed or engaged by the owner or skipper in any capacity on board a fishing vessel. The Regulations recognise certain comparable training for fishing vessel officer certificates of competency as equivalent.
