Written Answers Nos. 245-257
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his efforts and recent successes in easing the burden on farmers experiencing difficulty with land eligibility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45895/15]
View answerIn implementing the new CAP, my Department was mindful of the need to ensure that the implementing provisions relating to land eligibility were the most appropriate in the context of land types found in Ireland and to provide as much flexibility as possible to farmers.
It was decided that, in Ireland, the most appropriate mechanism to provide this flexibility was to define those characteristics to be met by an agricultural area in order to be deemed maintained in a state suitable for grazing.
In order to assist farmers, my Department published a Land Eligibility booklet, which details the characteristics of agricultural land that is deemed in a state fit for grazing or cultivation. A copy of this booklet issued to all farmers.
Furthermore my Department applied the EU legislative provisions for the use of a pro rata system which may allow for up to 10% ineligible areas within parcels without payment reduction.
My Department will continue to pursue, at EU level, options for further simplification of Direct Payment Schemes under the ongoing simplification process.
246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his efforts on all fronts in incentivising farming for young persons and support for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45896/15]
View answerIn line with the EU Regulations giving effect to the reformed Common Agricultural Policy, I have implemented two key schemes under Pillar 1 to support young farmers. The measures provided through the ‘young farmer’ priority category of the National Reserve and also the Young Farmers Scheme are designed to encourage and facilitate the entrance of young, well educated persons into our farming community. This implementation of these measures has the potential to play a major role in the regeneration of agriculture in Ireland and will provide a solid basis for the industry in the coming years.
Successful young farmer applicants to the National Reserve will receive an allocation of new entitlements on the basis of one entitlement for one hectare. Applicants who already hold existing entitlements which are below the national average value will receive a top-up whereby the value of those entitlements will be increased to the national average value. The National Reserve fund in 2015 is based on 3% of the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling, which is estimated at providing approximately €24 million in funding. Some 6,000 farmers applied under the Young Farmer category of the National Reserve and payments are currently being issued.
With regard to the Young Farmers Scheme, young farmers will receive the payment under the scheme for a maximum period of five years. The ‘five years’ is dated from the year of setting up of the holding in his/her own name. The Young Farmers Scheme payment will be made on a maximum of 50 entitlements. I have opted to use the maximum financing rate of 2% for the Young Farmers Scheme. Funding of €24 million is available under the scheme for 2015 and the same financing rate will be applied for the years 2016 to 2019. I have selected the method of calculation which will give the maximum payment possible. The payment will be calculated as 25% of the national average payment per hectare which is estimated will give a payment of approximately €66 per entitlement held by the young farmer. Some 8,500 farmers applied under the Young Farmer Scheme and payments to eligible applicants are currently being issued.
I have also established a dedicated capital investment scheme for young farmers under TAMS II, offering a wider range of investment items than is generally available, and with an enhanced rate of aid of 60% as compared with the standard 40% grant. A similar dedicated investment scheme is available for Organic farmers, with a range of items specific to organic production, and again offering a 60% rate of aid for young farmers. For any young farmers who do not meet the eligibility requirements for these dedicated schemes, I have ensured that their applications will be prioritised under the mainstream TAMS schemes, which are open to all.
Last September I presented a six point plan, to both the EU Commissioner and my EU ministerial colleagues, to address the particularly acute situation in the dairy sector. I was extremely pleased that the final decision at Council took account of Ireland’s requests and included the provision of targeted direct aid for dairy farmers, which can be matched nationally. The aid comprises €13.7m of EU funding and a further €13.7m in matching national funding. The payment will be made on a flat rate basis with each of the 18,000 dairy farmers in the country receiving approximately €1,350, with an additional €800 top-up for young dairy farmers. The flat rate payment will be made in the coming weeks and the young farmers’ top-up payment will be made in early 2016 when that scheme is finalised.
The Agri-taxation Review was a joint initiative by the Minister for Finance and me, which was published as part of Budget 2015, and set out the main policy objectives for continuing support through agri-taxation measures including increasing land mobility and the productive use of land and assisting succession and the transfer of farms. Both objectives are especially relevant to young farmers.
Budget 2016 continued the implementation of the Agri-taxation Review and a major new initiative on ‘Family Transfer Partnerships’ to assist succession was announced. It is a structure in which family members enter into a partnership, and appropriate profit-sharing agreement, with the provision for the transfer of the family farm to the younger farmer at the end of a specified period (not exceeding ten years). To support this transfer a tax credit of up to a maximum of €5,000 per annum for five years can be allocated to the partnership, thereby incentivising the transfer and mitigating some of the financial concerns involved. The partnership model enables a gradual transfer of control and also facilitates knowledge transfer from one generation to another. In addition two measures specifically aimed at young farmers were renewed for a further three years – the 100% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers and the Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers. These changes are subject to EU State Aid approval.
247. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Kerry Social Farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45901/15]
View answerMy Department established a €1m fund for Rural Development and Innovation projects in 2015, under the remit of my colleague Minister Phelan.
The purpose of this €1m fund is to address some of the recommendations laid down in the CEDRA report, and was utilised for a variety of pilot initiatives in 2015, including:
- Support for Female Rural Entrepreneurs
This was a national but targeted programme to select up to 50 women who have recently started or who have taken the first steps towards starting their own business in rural areas.
- Support for Social Farming Operations
This was a grant-aid programme to help advance existing social farming operations
- Support for Community Based Food and Artisan Markets
This was a scheme designed to help support activity in rural high streets through support for community based local food and artisan markets
- Agri-food related Tourism Initiatives
This was a scheme to provide for agri-food and marine tourism projects which advance rural and coastal economic development and was operated through the Local Authorities.
This Rural Development and Innovation fund has been increased to €1.5m for 2016 and work is ongoing to develop how this funding will be allocated. As before, it will be utilised to address the recommendations in the CEDRA report, and is likely to contain a support specifically on Social Farming.
248. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prioritise the provision of additional staffing to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority to facilitate the use of additional sea-fisheries infrastructure that is currently not designated for use due to a lack of coverage by the authority; if the use of a pier (details supplied) in County Kerry could be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45920/15]
View answerI received this request some time ago and consulted the SFPA in relation to the request for the designation of Renard Pier, Co. Kerry for landings of Monkfish and Hake. Please note that under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, the SFPA is responsible for operational issues concerning sea fisheries control.
The SFPA advised that as Renard Pier is capable of dealing with landings on a 24 hour basis and because of the high risk associated with national and foreign Hake and Monkfish landings it was not in a position to provide the resources necessary to provide the required level of cover for a designated port at this site. The SFPA noted that Renard pier is a relatively remote location and that the nearest Port office in Dingle is 180km round trip (approx 4 hrs return journey).
The SFPA has advised that following further discussions with a commercial party with an interest in the matter, it is giving active consideration to the possibility of supporting the designation of Renard Pier and a thorough analysis of the impacts of this designation is being carried out at present.
249. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet or visit a small fisheries business (details supplied) in Dublin 13 regarding its plans to develop employment in Howth Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45931/15]
View answerHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department.
My officials have met with the owner of the business concerned in the past, most recently in January 2015 on the margins of the annual Howth Harbour Users Forum.
It is anticipated that the next such Forum will take place in early 2016. While my officials have not received a request from the owner for a separate meeting, I can confirm that, as always, they are available to meet Howth harbour users collectively or individually as the need arises at that or indeed at any other mutually convenient time.
250. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provisions he is putting in place to assist farmers who have lost fodder or housing for stock due to the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/15]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties farmers in flooded areas are experiencing in recent weeks.
My Department has put special arrangements in place to deal with animal welfare issues that might arise as a result of flooding and to deal with the flooding of slurry tanks that has occurred in a limited number of circumstances.
Where there is a potential animal welfare issue on farms, farmers are urged to contact the Department Animal Welfare Helpline. This helpline is aimed at providing assistance to farmers, and is dealing with farmers on a one-to-one basis where there is a risk of animal welfare. Farmers who are experiencing particular difficulty arising from the flooding should contact the helpline at Call Save 0761 064408 or Phone 01 6072379.
Alongside my Department’s Animal Welfare Helpline, I have asked Teagasc to provide dedicated on-farm practical advice and assistance to farmers in flooded areas and ensure farming operations are supported. Contact should be made using the helpline number 0761 113555.
I have also prioritised payments to farmers at this time. At this point, the vast majority of farmers have been paid over €1.2 billion in EU payments under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (formerly Disadvantaged Areas Scheme) this year. Given that a completely new payment regime has been introduced, this is a significant achievement and I am committed to issuing remaining payments as individual issues are resolved around applications. Payments under other schemes such as REPS/AEOS have been made along with GLAS and Beef Data and Genomics Scheme payments which are being prioritised.
251. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a single payment for 2015 to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46002/15]
View answerThe person named established 222.76 Entitlement Allocation Rights under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme. The value of these entitlements is €37,079.33. The person named formed a registered farm partnership with third parties, and submitted an application on behalf of the farm partnership under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.
A farm partnership is a legal business arrangement where two or more individuals come together combining their respective resources to achieve mutual benefits. Members of a farm partnership who own individual sets of entitlements receive a combined payment. It is therefore incumbent that my Department identifies and ensures that entitlements held are licensed for use in the partnership. Consequently, should the partnership dissolve the entitlements can return to the relevant owners. My Department has established a robust procedure to ensure the implementation and integrity of this identification process.
An official from my Department has contacted the person named confirming that the application and identification process in respect of this application is now fully processed. Payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the Farm Partnership.
252. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under the disease eradication scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46003/15]
View answerThere are currently no payments due to the herdowner concerned under the TB Eradication Scheme.
The holding in question was restricted for the periods 31 January 2014 to 8 September 2014 and 22 June 2012 to 2 August 2013. Compensation payable under the TB eradication scheme was paid, in full, in respect of both restriction periods. The herdowner appealed the level of payment in respect of the reactors removed in the 2012 breakdown. The original decision was subsequently upheld by the Agricultural Appeals Office. The herdowner has since appealed that decision to the Office of the Ombudsman where it is currently under consideration.
253. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the farm payments to farmers, by county, in 2014 and in 2015 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46004/15]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded directly at the earliest possible date.
254. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46018/15]
View answerAn application under the Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 15 May, 2015. An initial payment has issued in respect of land claimed in the “mountain area” category. A second element of this application refers to land claimed in the “island land” category. This second element has now been completed and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
255. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive payment under the bovine viral diarrhoea scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46019/15]
View answerFinal validations of applications under the 2014 BVD scheme have recently been completed. Payment will issue shortly to the person named.
256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount received in disease levies and the expenditure on disease eradication in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46022/15]
View answerBovine disease levies are collected under the Bovine Disease Levies Acts 1979 and 1996 and contribute to the compensation payable under the disease eradication programmes. The current rates are 0.06 cent per litre of milk processed and €1.27 for each animal slaughtered or exported. The total collected for these levies in 2015 to date is €5.955m.
Total expenditure on disease eradication to date in 2015 has been €27.4m. This represents a 17% reduction from the same period last year, mainly due to the reduction in the incidence of TB and associated savings. From an economic perspective, the very considerable saving both to the national exchequer and to farmers arising from the eradication of Brucellosis and the substantial reduction in TB illustrates the huge benefits which derive from the effective implementation of disease eradication programmes. The progressive and on-going reduction in the incidence of TB eradication holds out the promise of further significant savings for farmers and taxpayers by building on the progress achieved in recent years.
257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received, payments made and the total amount paid under the basic payments scheme, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46023/15]
View answerIn relation to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments began issuing in Ireland on 16 October 2015. This is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations. Ireland is among the earliest to pay the BPS in the European Union and to date, of the approximately 122,265 eligible applicants, over 119,000 farmers have received payments totalling €1.05 billion. The further detail on a county by county basis is currently being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible date.
