Written Answers Nos. 237-258
237. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the aspects of the north-west and north-east regional action plan that will target the chronic lack of investment in County Donegal, which has led to low numbers of job creation in the past number of years in comparison with the rest of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42824/15]
View answerSince the start of the Action Plan for Jobs process in 2012, employment has increased by 135,800 across the economy as a whole and has exceeded the initial target set by the Government for 2016. Over 20,000 jobs have been created in the North East/North West region, which includes Donegal, since 2012. Jobs supported by the Enterprise Agencies in the region - IDA, Enterprise Ireland, and Údarás na Gaeltachta - have increased by 2,877 since the beginning of 2012. Unemployment in this region has fallen from a high of 17.8% to the current rate of 9.3% since the Action Plan for Jobs was launched.
The objective of the Regional Action Plans is to capitalise on the strengths and assets of each region to further maximise enterprise growth and job creation. The initiative is building on the success of the national Action Plan for Jobs, and encouraging regional stakeholders - including enterprise agencies, Local Authorities, higher education institutions, other public bodies and the private sector - to come forward with innovative ideas to boost job creation in their own region.
The purpose of these Regional Action Plans is to build on existing strengths and opportunities in each region, and while individual plans may reference infrastructure issues, it is not the intention to address such issues within these plans as these are prioritised within the Government’s National Capital Expenditure Framework in the areas where it can achieve greatest benefit and value for money.
The Action Plan for the North East/North West, which includes Donegal, was launched on Monday 30 November. The plan identifies collaborative measures that will enable the region as a whole to realise its economic potential and create jobs.
Key targets for the North East/North West region are to increase employment by 10 to 15% over the period to 2020, win 61 FDI investments by 2019, increase the number of start-ups in the region by a minimum of 25%, and improve the survival rate of new businesses by 25%.
A number of actions target the particular strengths and assets of the North West. IDA will collaborate with Enterprise Agencies, ETBs and Institutes of Technology to develop a marketing proposition to support an Insurance and Technical Services cluster; Udaras na Gaeltachta will support the creation of 300-500 new jobs in Gaeltacht regions; a North West Skills Forum will be established to increase the flow of critical skills to the region; Fáilte Ireland will promote and market the Wild Atlantic Way and will examine the development of new loops to encourage a greater spread of visitors to the region; and the development of a Renewable Energy Innovation Centre at Killybegs will be explored to maximise the potential of the North West’s natural resources.
In addition, as part of its property programme, IDA has committed to investing in new property solutions in Sligo and Dundalk, amongst other centres, over the next three years.
All regional Action Plans will be supported by investment of up to €250 million over the next five years, including €150 million for a property investment programme by IDA Ireland. The intention is that a further sum of up to €100 million will be made available over the next five years through three competitive calls to be administered by Enterprise Ireland. These competitive calls will be targeted at innovative and collaborative approaches to support job creation across the regions.
238. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new work permits and the number of existing permits that have been approved and that have been renewed for the meat industry in 2014 and 2015 to date; why the industry continues to require work-permitted labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/15]
View answerThirty-one permits were granted during 2014 (of which 14 were renewals) and eleven permits have been granted to date in 2015 (of which 2 were renewals).
In general, the Government’s policy is that industry skills needs are met without recourse to the employment permit regime. Migration through the permits system is intended to complement the primary policy objective of Government, the up-skilling of the resident population at all levels.
Prior to September 2015, there were very limited options for meat boners to access the employment permits system. This is because the occupation was on the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL), which is set out in Regulations. This List is reviewed and updated bi-annually, a process that involves a formalised and evidence-based approach. My Department obtains and considers advice from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SMLRU) in SOLAS, as well as consultation with key stakeholders including Government Departments, agencies and industry representatives. In their Annual Skills Bulletin 2015, the EGFSN states that attracting and retaining skilled butchers/de-boners remains a challenge for the meat industry in Ireland.
My Department, together with the Department of Social Protection, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Education and Skills, conducted extensive discussions over many months with the industry. During these discussions the meat industry made commitments to create additional employment and engage in training and upskilling of their existing employees, if they were given access to the permit system. On foot of these commitments, I signed Regulations on 1 September, providing for a limited number of employment permits for meat boners at a remuneration level of €27,500 or more per annum.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will report to me on the industry’s progress in meeting their employment creation and training commitments and no further permits will be granted to the sector unless the Government is satisfied that these commitments are being met.
239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the funding situation at Enterprise Ireland; its cash reserves; the commitments that have been entered into in terms of its routine support of business ventures to the end of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42867/15]
View answerEnterprise Ireland are striving for ambitious targets in 2015, building on the success of recent years, by aiming to support some 13,000 new jobs and increasing client exports to €20bn.
Enterprise Ireland received an exchequer spending allocation of €163.4m for 2015 to support industry, comprising €50m for subhead A7 and €113.4m for subhead B4. Enterprise Ireland’s (Subhead A7) baseline allocation was increased by €1m, from €49m to €50m to facilitate the delivery in 2015 of enterprise programmes such as the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme 2013-2018, Innovation Fund Ireland, Competitive Feasibility Funds, Competitive Start Funds, trade supports, Management Development Programmes and Lean Programmes.
The (Subhead B4) supports for research was also increased, by €3m, from €110.6m to €113.4m to meet the growing demand for EI R&D supports, such as HPSUs, Innovation Vouchers, Technology Centres and collaborative projects with Irish third level institutions.
Enterprise Ireland was also given sanction to spend €56m of Own Resource Income, comprising €50m to be earned in 2015 supplemented by a 2014 capital carryover of €6m. Own Resource Income refers to revenues derived from for example redemption of shares and dividends from equity investments, grant refunds, rental income etc.
EI received €77.5m exchequer funding for administration and general expenses for 2015.
EI does not maintain cash reserves over and above its working capital requirements. EI draws down its exchequer funding on a weekly basis from my Department. It only draws down funds that are expected to be paid during these periods less any estimated own resource income receipts. Where the estimated own resource income receipts plus exchequer funding exceeds the estimated expenditure the exchequer requirement is reduced accordingly. This ensures exchequer funds are only drawn down when required and EI’s cash book balances are kept to a minimum where possible.
The anticipated end of year position is that EI will have spent the total exchequer and ORI allocations, thus fully meeting its 2015 commitments.
240. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of legal cases currently ongoing against his Department, including State agencies under his aegis; the number of cases that took place during the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive; the cost of those that were contested and what damages were involved; the costs and damages of those that were settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43269/15]
View answerThe State Claims Agency (SCA) is the delegated authority for handling certain claims against my Department. The SCA will provide the details sought by the Deputy in relation to any such claims for my Department through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
In seeking to provide the Deputy with the information requested, other than the above-mentioned claims handled by the SCA, the assumption has been made that the question relates to civil proceedings taken against my Department or one of its offices.
There are currently twenty four legal cases, including judicial reviews, ongoing against my Department.
The costs of cases contested and damages involved, and the costs and damages of cases settled, which took place during the years 2011 to 2014 are:-
|
No. of Cases in 2014 |
Contested Cases |
Settled Cases |
||
|
17 |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
|
69,359 |
0 |
205,759 |
0 |
|
|
No. of Cases in 2013 |
Contested Cases |
Settled Cases |
||
|
17 |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
|
0 |
0 |
30,135 |
0 |
|
|
No. of Cases in 2012 |
Total Contested Cases |
Total Settled Cases |
||
|
16 |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
Costs € |
Damages Involved € |
|
304,261 |
0 |
174,318 |
43,000 |
There were no relevant cases against my Department in 2011.
The issue of legal cases currently ongoing in Agencies under my remit is a day-to-day matter for the individual Agencies concerned, for which I have no direct function.
I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of any legal cases currently ongoing between the dates concerned, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
241. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of employees under his remit who are classified under a contract of indefinite duration; the number of these who are receiving incremental salary payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43282/15]
View answerAside from the Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) (formerly Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC)), there are no contracts of indefinite duration for any staff in my Department - the staffing of the WRC being part of my Department's staffing complement. The contract of the Director General of the WRC, whose contract has been extended over the years since his initial appointment to the LRC in 1991, may, in accordance with Section 13 of the Workplace Relations Act 2015, be terminated by the Minister for stated reasons. Remuneration is as may be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and is not on an incremental scale.
Personal appointments by Ministers (Special Adviser(s), Personal Assistant, Personal Secretary, Civilian Driver(s)) are co-terminous with the period of office of the relevant Minister and are not considered contracts of indefinite duration in the normal sense.
I have asked the Agencies under the aegis of my Department to advise me of the number of contracts of indefinite duration and incremental salaries as requested by the Deputy, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
242. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine which Ministers were responsible for animal welfare matters prior to the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which was commenced on 6 March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42878/15]
View answer287. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department had any responsibility for animal welfare matters prior to the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 on 6 March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42838/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 287 together.
Following the commencement of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 on 6 March 2014, all animal welfare matters now come within the remit of my Department. Prior to that date, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine was focussed on animal welfare as it related to farmed animals. Wider animal cruelty issues were dealt with under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 which was within the remit of the Minister for Justice.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act provides a framework within which the welfare of animals can be safeguarded and I am hopeful that the significantly increased levels of penalties for offences of animal cruelty provided for under the Act will act as a deterrent to animal welfare abuses. It is worth noting that the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has significantly expanded the range of legal requirements around animal welfare. New provisions include the requirement on owners to ensure that animals under their control had adequate supplies of food and water, shelter and veterinary care.
243. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin scéim buníocaíochta agus faoi scéim na limistéar srianta nádúrtha do 2015 le feirmeoir i gContae na## Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42283/15]
View answerFuarthas iarratas faoin Scéim Buníocaíochta i mo Roinn ón duine ainmnithe an 8 Aibreán 2015. Tar éis próiseála, nochtadh dhá cheist maidir le héileamh i dtaca le ceann de na dáileachtaí a dhearbhaigh an duine atá ainmnithe. Réitíodh an cheist seo le déanaí i ndiaidh comhfhreagrais idir mo Roinn agus an duine ainmnithe. Tá próiseáil an iarratais Buníocaíochta curtha i gcrích anois agus eiseofar íocaíocht chomh luath agus is féidir díreach chuig an gcuntas bainc a thug sé.
Maidir le Scéim na Limistéar Srianta Nádúrtha (ANC), tá an scéim sin comhtháite isteach san fhoirm iarratais ar an Scéim Buníocaíochta. Chun iarratas a dhéanamh ar an Scéim sin, iarrtar ar iarratasóirí tic a chur i mbosca ar fhoirm iarratais na Scéime Buníocaíochta. Tá limistéir ina bhfuil srianta nádúrtha sna dáileachtaí talún atá dearbhaithe ag an duine ainmnithe, ach ní dhearna sé iarratas ar an scéim ANC trí tic a chur sa bhosca. Bhí mo Roinn i dteagmháil leis an duine ainmnithe go luath i mí Lúnasa ag rá leis nach ndearna sé iarratas ar an Scéim ANC agus d’iarramar soiléiriú faoi cad a bhí i gceist aige a dhéanamh maidir le hiarratas a dhéanamh ar an Scéim. Go dtí seo ní bhfuarthas aon fhreagra ón duine ainmnithe.
244. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will provide the funding to complete the breakwater at Greencastle in County Donegal; and if he will support the plans to develop Greencastle Harbour as recently presented to his ministerial colleague and Department officials. [42311/15]
View answerGreencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its development, repair and maintenance rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its’ parent Department, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
My Department however provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
Under the 2015 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme I am happy to confirm to the Deputy that funding of €93,750 has been approved for Greencastle Harbour under this Programme.
The primary focus of the Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme which the Department administers on an annual basis, is to provide funding for capital works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres for which my Department has responsibility for.
The suite of projects for inclusion in the 2016 programme including consideration of the amount that can be made available for a Local Authority element of that programme are being considered, and I will make an announcement on these issues in due course.
245. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the basic payment scheme, the areas of natural constraint scheme and the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42316/15]
View answerThe persons named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 November, 2010 and has been paid in full for the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. It is expected that AEOS payments for the 2015 scheme year will commence shortly for those that have successfully come through the administrative checks and where there are no outstanding issues for those who had on-the-spot inspections in 2015.
In respect of the Basic Payments Scheme, my Department received a 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value application from the person named requesting the transfer of his entitlement allocation right and corresponding reference value from his sole name into joint names with another person. As the Basic Payment Scheme application for the person named had been submitted before the herd number was changed into joint names, it was necessary for the person named to submit a Declaration of Undertaking form. My Department wrote to the person named on 7 November 2015 requesting this form be submitted but it has not been received to date. Once the completed form has been received by my Department the application will be processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly thereafter.
An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 24 May, 2015. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
246. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments following a successful appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42331/15]
View answerFollowing the LPIS Review under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme the person named was identified as having an over declaration of greater than 20%, meaning no payment was due for 2013. Following an appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee this penalty was partially overturned. A supplementary payment was raised for the person named to refund the amount due on foot of this decision, however, the amount due of €4,836.19 was netted against existing debts arising from the Agri Environment Option Scheme.
247. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when further single payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42338/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2015. The person named has received an advance payment of 70% on 43.62 entitlements under the Scheme.
Since then the person named has received a transfer of an additional 13.42 entitlements. A balancing payment of 27% is being made today on the original 43.62 entitlements and a payment of 97% is also now issuing on the remaining 13.42 entitlements.
A final balancing payment will be made in 2016 when the value of all entitlements will be updated.
248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a refusal of an application under the rural environment protection scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42353/15]
View answerThe person named commenced his AEOS contract on 1 May 2013. Following an inspection on 26 November 20 14 issues arose in respect of his Species Rich Grassland and Natura options, resulting in deductions to his AEOS payment. He appealed these findings to the Regional Inspector, who reviewed the file and upheld the original decision. He was given the right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office by letter dated 25 September 2015. To date no appeal has been received by the Agricultural Appeals Office.
249. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the deadline for compliance with Bord Bia regulations for dairy farmers. [42357/15]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the Bord Bia Sustainability Dairy Assurance Scheme. This is a scheme run by Bord Bia which has been designed to provide the necessary proof to customers of Irish dairy products that milk has been produced under both sustainability and quality assurance criteria.
The scheme is open to all milk producers with a valid herd registration who supply to milk processors in the Republic of Ireland. Generally such suppliers apply to Bord Bia, through their milk purchaser, for participation in the Scheme. Bord Bia in turn process the application, provide an information pack and then assign the farm to an auditor. A farm visit will be conducted by an independent auditor on every member’s farm at 18-month intervals at a time and day that suits the farmer. The purpose of these visits is to audit the farm against the quality assurance criteria and to collect data regarding the sustainability of the farm.
There is no specific deadline for application or the carrying out of the audit.
250. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a eiseofar íocaíocht d'fheirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo) faoi scéim na limistéar srianta nádúrtha nó faoin scéim buníocaíochta do 2015; cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42439/15]
View answerFuarthas iarratas faoin Scéim Buníocaíochta Scéim na Limistéar Srianta Nádúrtha (LSN) i mo Roinn ón duine a ainmnítear an 14 Aibreán 2015. Eisíodh réamhíocaíocht don duine maidir leis an Scéim Buníocaíochta, agus tá socruithe i bhfeidhm chun an íocaíocht chomhardaithe a eisiúint chomh maith.
Faoi Scéim na LSN 2015, tá ar iarratasóirí incháilithe íosdlús stocála 0.15 aonad beostoic a chomhlíonadh ar feadh tréimhse choinneála seacht mí i ndiaidh a chéile agus 0.15 aonad beostoic, ar an meán, a choimeád, a ríomhtar i gcaitheamh 12 mhí bhliain na Scéime. Níor eisíodh an íocaíocht faoi scéim na LSN sa chás seo, mar gheall, ag an tráth seo, níor shásaigh an gabháltas atá i gceist riachtanais íosdlús stocála na scéime. Bhí teagmháil dhíreach ag oifigeach ó mo Roinn leis an duine a ainmnítear chun é a chur ar an eolas ar na saincheisteanna nár réitíodh go fóill.
251. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme and the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42444/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 24 May 2015. Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints application has recently been finalised and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
In August 2015 my Department wrote to the person named regarding the transfer of Single Payment entitlements by way of inheritance under the Single Payment Scheme. Additional information was required in order to assist in the transfer of allocation rights and reference value to the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015.
While the person named did respond to the Department letter, she did not provide sufficient information to allow for the transfer of allocation rights and reference value into her name. An official from my Department has contacted the person named to discuss the circumstances of the case with a view to resolving the issue to facilitate payment.
252. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the single payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42471/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value and a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. These applications are being processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue as soon as possible.
The person named has also submitted applications for the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. Processing of National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme applications is well underway and 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. 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 and Young Farmers Scheme will commence after the Basic Payment Scheme balancing payments issue in December.
253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoi scéim na limistéar srianta nádúrtha agus faoin scéim buníocaíochta do 2015 le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [42472/15]
View answerFuarthas iarratas faoin Scéim Buníocaíochta Scéim na Limistéar Srianta Nádúrtha ón duine a ainmnítear an 25 Bealtaine 2015. Tá próiseáil an iarratais 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.
254. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42489/15]
View answerAn application under Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 28 May, 2015.
Processing of the Basic Payment Scheme application has recently been completed. The relevant advance payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. Arrangements are now also in place to process the balancing payment which is payable from 1 December.
Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application has recently been completed with payment due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
255. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/15]
View answerAn application under Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 12 May, 2015. Processing of this application has recently been completed, and payment will issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42491/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme/Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 24 February, 2015. Following processing, a commonage evidence issue was disclosed in respect of one of the parcels declared by the person named. An official from my Department has written to the claimants concerned and has been in direct contact with the person named in order to expedite the processing of this application.
257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42492/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme/Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 24 February, 2015. Following processing, a commonage evidence issue was disclosed in respect of one of the parcels declared by the person named. An official from my Department has written to the claimants concerned in order to expedite the processing of this application.
258. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42493/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme/Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 30 April, 2015. Following processing, a commonage evidence issue was disclosed in respect of one of the parcels declared by the person named. This matter has now been resolved and payment is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
