Written Answers Nos 100-105
100. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason young farmers involved in partnerships now have to register to complete green certificates by 31 December 2015, instead of the announced date in May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/15]
View answerApplicants to the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme who had not yet commenced their FETAC Level 6 or equivalent agricultural education course were required to register for training with an agricultural education provider prior to submitting their application under the schemes. The education provider issued the prospective applicant with an expression of interest letter which the young farmer enclosed as part of the supporting documentation with the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme application.
A large number of young farmers and new entrants to farming applied for these schemes in 2015. In order to provide for the maximum number of entrants to the schemes, it was decided that young farmers and new entrants who commenced their agricultural education courses prior to September 2016 would qualify under the educational requirements of the schemes in 2015. The EU Commission has recently advised that in order to qualify and receive payment in 2015 under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, applicants must have commenced their agricultural education course before end-2015. Arrangements are being put in place with the agricultural colleges and each applicant concerned will be given an opportunity to initiate their training in 2015.
101. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all headage payments for 2015 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [40878/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
102. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details provided) in County Cork, under the green low carbon agri-environment scheme, in particular regarding the element therein relating to rare breeds; if approval in this regard relates to draught horses; the requirement in this regard regarding registration of these horses; if it is an option for applicants in these circumstances to opt out of any provision regarding approval under the scheme or notification to his Department; the amount approved under this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40880/15]
View answerThe GLAS application of the person named includes the Rare Breed Action. Persons selecting this action must provide proof of membership of the relevant breed society in 2012 or 2013 and the requirements for this, together with the names of the relevant societies, is clearly set out in the scheme specifications. The Irish Horse Board is the keeper of the stud book for the Irish Draught Horse and is the recognised breed society for GLAS purposes.
Some documentation from the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Society was submitted in support of the application in question but what was submitted is not acceptable for scheme purposes. The advisor acting on behalf of the person named notified my Department by e-mail on 2 November that the necessary Irish Horse Board documentation would be submitted but nothing has been received to date. If the necessary documentation is not submitted, the Rare Breed Action will be excluded and the application will be assessed on the basis of other actions selected in the application. As the application is still under investigation it is impossible to say what level of payment will ultimately be approved for the applicant in this case.
103. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has considered extending parental leave for parents of older children, for example, up to 12 years of age; and the cost of this. [40820/15]
View answerThe Family Leave Act 1998 (amended) entitles both parents to eighteen weeks unpaid parental leave on the birth or adoption of a child. The leave may be taken until the child has reached the age of eight years with certain extensions permitted beyond that for adoptees and children with a disability or long-term illness. Parental leave is unpaid and unlike maternity leave does not attract a social welfare payment. The current legislation meets the requirements of the EU Directive giving effect to the revised Parental Leave Framework Agreement reached by the European social partners in 2009 and there are no plans to extend eligibility as suggested by the Deputy. I should also refer the Deputy to the announcement in the recent Budget of a new entitlement to two weeks paternity leave from work for fathers together with a social welfare payment to take effect from September 2016.
104. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Síochána overtime hours, by county, from 2011 to 2015, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40753/15]
View answer105. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of overtime hours accumulated by the Tipperary Garda division, for the years 2011 to 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40754/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the over-time hours nationally and for Tipperary Garda Division for the years 2011 to 2015 and I will write directly to the Deputy on receipt of the available information.
