Written Answers Nos. 284-296
284. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a market access unit in his Department solely dedicated to seeking out new markets for the agrifood sector and the cost of this. [46308/15]
View answerVarious actions in the Food Wise 2025 strategy relate to market access and the personnel needed to assist in the identification, development, reinforcement and securing of new third country markets. For example in 2016 my Department, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland will explore synergies and priorities for the deployment of human resources in specific markets, including possibilities for relocation, new posts and new offices based on market prioritisation which considers various factors.
In response to the increased focus on the export potential of the agri-food sector, a Trade Team was established in February 2011 in my Department. This inter-disciplinary team brings together the expertise of veterinary, technical and administrative personnel in my Department as well as Bord Bia and the other relevant agencies. The purpose of the Trade Team is to provide a coherent and unified approach to market access, in terms of identifying and resolving technical barriers to trade, prioritising markets and growing exports. The new Food Wise 2025 strategy includes overall growth projections for the agri-food sector for the next decade, including an increase in exports of 85% to €19 billion by 2025. Exports in this sector in 2014 amounted to €10.45 billion.
In addition, the following markets have been opened or reopened for Irish products:
2011
Turkey: Market opened for beef and live cattle
Singapore : Market opened for beef
Tunisia: Market opened for live cattle
Egypt : Veterinary Certificate agreed for beef and market opened for live cattle
Ukraine : Market opened for breeding pigs
China : Market opened for breeding pigs
Serbia : Certificate agreed for meat products
Chile: Certificate agreed for bull semen
Canada : Certificate agreed for fresh pig semen
UAE : Market opened for bovine semen
2012
Singapore: Veterinary Certificates agreed for sheep meat
South Africa: Veterinary Certificates agreed for sheep meat
UAE: Veterinary Certificates agreed for sheep meat
Morocco and UAE: Veterinary Certificates agreed for poultry meat and poultry meat products
China: Agreement secured on exports of boarfish
Iran: Market opened for beef
UAE: Removal of age restriction on beef exports
China: Agreement secured on export of horse feed
China: Agreement secured on export of porcine semen and export certificate agreed
China: Agreement secured on export of horses direct to China
Hong Kong: Health certificate agreed for export of fishery products
Serbia – Veterinary certificate agreed for fresh/frozen pigmeat
2013
US: Initial positive steps taken to reopen the market to beef
Japan: Market opened to beef
UAE: Market opened for sheep-meat
Libya: Market opened for livestock
Australia: Market opened for pig-meat
Iran: Market opened for beef
GCC: Ban lifted for beef and sheep-meat
Canada: Market opened for Sheep-meat.
China: Market opened for Salmon
Russia: Access permitted for meat products previously excluded.
Azerbaijan - Agreement on veterinary health certificate for finished meat products
2014
Lebanon – Agreement on export of meat/meat products of bovine origin
Lebanon – Agreement on export of meat/meat products of ovine origin
Lebanon – Agreement on export of cooked meat/meat products of bovine and ovine origin
Hong Kong – Agreement on veterinary health certificate for the export of sheep-meat
Namibia – Agreement on veterinary health certificate for fresh/frozen meat of bovine, ovine and caprine origin
Philippines – Agreement on veterinary health certificate for the export of beef
Philippines – Agreement on veterinary health certificate for the export of sheepmeat
Philippines – Agreement on veterinary health certificate for the export of pigmeat
Vietnam – Agreement reached on the export of pigmeat
New Caledonia – Adoption of veterinary health certificate for the export of fresh meat and meat products of bovine origin
2015 (to date)
US: Market opened to Irish beef
China: Market opened to Irish beef
285. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish an independent body to review and adjudicate on aquaculture licensing and the cost of this. [46309/15]
View answerFood wise 2025 recommends that I commission an independent review of the existing aquaculture licensing system involving all key stakeholders, to identify the current shortcomings and bottlenecks (legislative, resource and logistical), to report by early 2016 and implement necessary changes to the aquaculture licensing system as a matter of priority.
Separately, my Department is presently making arrangements to publish a National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. I consulted with stakeholders on a draft of the Plan earlier this year. Action number 22 of that Plan commits my Department to a review and revision of the aquaculture licence process, including the applicable legal framework.
I expect to initiate the proposed review of the aquaculture licensing system early in the new year and to report in the first half of 2016.
286. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a refund due to a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46355/15]
View answerThe person named was notified of the outcome of a review of their file by letter dated 29 September 2015. Penalties that had been imposed were reduced from 48% to 21%. The person named was notified of this decision and that the difference arising from the reduced penalty would be refunded. Arrangements are being made to issue the amount to be refunded as soon as possible. The delay in processing the partial refund in this case is regretted.
287. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme and the basic payment scheme will issue to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46356/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment Scheme/Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 20 March 2015.
Following processing, a forestry eligibility issue arose in respect of a number of the parcels declared by the person named. This matter has now been resolved and payment is now due under both schemes. Payment will issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
288. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a transfer of entitlement in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon has been completed; when payment under the basic payment scheme will issue to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46358/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. This application has been fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue as soon as possible.
289. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers with entitlements to the single payment of over €20,000 who have received a 2015 payment on account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46363/15]
View answerTo date in 2015, 5,758 farmers whose entitlements values are €20,000 or over have received a payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.
290. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding livestock farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46369/15]
View answerMy role as Minister in relation to the beef sector is to establish a policy and support environment that allows it to flourish in line with normal market principles. As the Deputy is aware, price is ultimately a matter to be determined between both the purchasers and the sellers of cattle. Cattle prices are determined by supply and demand dynamics which are in turn influenced by seasonality of production, length of the production lifecycle, market conditions such as retail promotions, consumer confidence, competition with other meats as well as the overall macroeconomic situation. My Departmental officials and I are constantly conscious of the need to develop new market outlets for quality Irish beef and live cattle. I have just returned from a trade mission where I discussed market access with my counterparts in Nigeria and Ghana, and this week access has been secured to the Maldives for beef exports, making it the fifth nee market this year for Irish beef.
2015 has been a relatively positive year for beef prices in Ireland with the yearly average to date up 8% on last year. With regard to the price differential between Irish and UK cattle, a number of factors have been identified to explain why Irish-born cattle command lower prices than their British equivalents. These include a British consumer preference for indigenous product as well as additional transport and processing costs in supplying that market. However, one should note that sharp currency fluctuations have been one of the major factors in price divergence this year. Live exports of Irish beef cattle to Northern Ireland are up this year in both absolute terms and relative to cattle of dairy dams. At the end of October, 28,500 beef cattle had been exported across the border compared to 18,600 in the same period in 2014.
The best interests of this very important industry are ultimately served by ensuring a continuing supply of high quality cattle to the processing sector, and, subject to market context, this objective can be best achieved by providing a fair level of remuneration to suppliers for their efforts. I would also encourage processors to ensure that their systems for determining price are as open and transparent as possible to the farmer and that any adjustments or changes regarding specification criteria are clearly and promptly communicated and have regard to the realities of the production cycle.
In 2014 there were 1,647,827 carcasses of adult bovines classified by mechanical (94.4%) or manual (5.6%) methods. There were 515 classification control inspections conducted by Classification officers during 2014 in 31 factories and local authority abattoirs. During these unannounced inspections 51,017 carcasses were checked by Classification officers for conformation and fat. DAFM Classification officers also checked weights, dressing (Trim) and labelling. In the first 11 months of 2015 50,782 carcasses were inspected during 520 unannounced inspections. At these inspections, DAFM officers also conducted all the ancillary checks outlined above. There are currently five officers authorised to supervise classification checks. While I am satisfied that my Department operates a robust and comprehensive carcass classification control regime, I am also aware of the need to continuously monitor the way in which controls are undertaken, including the feasibility of reconfiguring existing Department resources within meat factories. I can assure the Deputy that this process of analysis and review is ongoing, and that I will make any necessary adjustments to ensure the continued good functioning of the control regime.
The outlook suggests that 2016 may be a challenging year for the sector. However, with careful and considered monitoring of market trends, open channels of intra-sector communication and engagement, access to new export market for beef and live cattle and a continued focus on highlighting Ireland’s high-quality, grass-fed beef system, I believe the industry can overcome these challenges and continue to justify the large vote of confidence that this government has placed in the beef sector.
Yesterday I chaired the seventh meeting of the Beef Roundtable. The meeting discussed proposals to recognise Producer Organisations in the Beef Sector, which will give formal recognition to POs for the first time in Ireland, as well as an update on beef markets and upcoming initiatives in animal health. As always the meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Agreement from last November’s Roundtable. The producer organisations have been one of the key outcomes of last November’s roundtable agreement and marks an historic breakthrough for Irish beef farmers who now for the first time will have a legal framework allowing for negotiation directly with factories on price as a group. As we have seen from other sectors, POs can greatly help to rebalance the supply chain by strengthening the hand of producers who will now have a structure for negotiating collectively.
291. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46393/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 29 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Bovine Identification and Registration inspection. The inspecting officer identified breaches in relation to the tagging of animals and notification of animal movements to the AIM database. A cross-compliance sanction of 3% was determined and applied to the 2015 Direct Payments.
The person named was notified of the inspection findings on 29 June 2015.
The person named sought a review of this decision, which was examined by the District Inspector, the outcome of which was to uphold the inspection findings. The person named was notified of this decision on 4 November 2015 and of their right to appeal this decision to the independent Agricultural Appeals Office. To date no such appeal has been lodged.
Officials from my Department including the inspectorate have been in direct contact with the person named to discuss the inspection findings.
292. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46399/15]
View answerBased on introducing a minimal threshold hourly rate of €11.50, the estimated additional annual cost in 2016 for staff employed by my Department would be approximately €77,000, after the sanctioned increase of 2.5% under the Lansdowne Road Agreement is taken into account.
The parallel information in respect of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the Bodies themselves.
293. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Defence if compensation will be made available to a flooded business employing more than 20 people which has insurance cover but with an excess of €50,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45874/15]
View answerThe Government has allocated a sum of €5 million to be distributed as emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond. The Irish Red Cross Society have agreed to administer the scheme on behalf of the Government.
The scheme is aimed at providing a contribution to the costs of returning small business premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock. It is intended as an emergency humanitarian assistance contribution rather than compensation for loss or a replacement for the cover provided by insurance.
The criteria for qualification under payment of the scheme are:
i. Only those small businesses that could not secure flood insurance are eligible.
ii. For the purpose of this scheme a small business is defined as one with up to 20 employees.
iii. The business must have been flooded during the period 4 December 2015 and 17 December 2015 and this fact verified by the relevant Local Authority.
iv. Any location within the State that was flooded during the period in question is encompassed by the scheme.
v. At the time of the flood - the business must have been trading and in a rateable premises.
294. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number serving in the Permanent Defence Force and the full-year cost of increasing this number to 9,500, 10,000, 10,500, 11,000 and 11,500, respectively. [45709/15]
View answerAs of the 31 of October, 2015 (the latest date for which figures are available), the serving strength of the Permanent Defence Force was 9,155 (whole-time equivalent). Budget 2016 includes a provision of some €416 million for Permanent Defence Force Pay and this amount will allow for the payment of the full establishment of 9,500 personnel, in line with the commitment in the White Paper on Defence.
The estimate full year salary costs of increasing a serving strength of 9,500 personnel to 10,000 personnel is approximately €11M; and €11M per increase of 500 personnel thereafter.
The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at or near 9,500 personnel; comprising of 7,519 Army, 887 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service. Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of personnel in, and to ensure the operational capacity of, the Defence Forces. It is my intention, with the support of the Chief of Staff and within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the Defence Forces to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake, both at home and overseas, the tasks that are laid down by Government.
295. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons serving in the Reserve Defence Force and the full-year cost of increasing this number to 3,000, 3,500, 4,000, 4,500, 5,000 and 5,500, respectively. [45710/15]
View answerThe recently published White Paper on Defence sets out a developmental path for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). It provides that the overarching establishment of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) be set at 4,169 personnel, consisting of 3,869 Army Reservists and the expansion of the establishment of the four NSR Units from currently 200 personnel to 300.
The current total strength for the Reserve Defence Force is 2,329 and subhead A5 provides for a budget of €2.15 million, of which €2.068 million encompasses Paid Training. The budget is sufficient having regard to the existing strength of the AR and NSR.
A key challenge is to recruit and train sufficient personnel to meet the establishment provided in the White Paper. A major recruitment campaign is ongoing. Following a review of last year’s campaign, a number of changes were introduced. In this context, it is important to note that it is not budgetary constraints that dictate numbers in the Reserve and there are sufficient budgetary resources allocated. In fact, there has been an under-spend in recent years. The Defence Forces will continue to strive to improve the level of RDF recruitment in 2016 and this remains a key challenge.
Indicative costs of meeting the Paid Training requirements for the numbers outlined in the question are outlined in the following table.
|
Strength Levels |
Increase over Current Strength |
Additional Paid Training Cost |
|
3,000 |
671 |
€ 700,000 |
|
3,500 |
1,171 |
€1,200,000 |
|
4,000 |
1,671 |
€1,700,000 |
|
4,500 |
2.171 |
€2,200,000 |
|
5,000 |
2,671 |
€2,700,000 |
|
5,500 |
3,171 |
€3,200,000 |
It should be noted that numbers beyond the establishment would require a reappraisal of organisational structures and levels and costs of PDF support required. Given the difficulties in recruitment, this is not envisaged.
296. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence the amount his Department has received in fees from freedom of information requests in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45756/15]
View answerThe total amount the Department of Defence has received in fees from Freedom of Information requests in 2014 and in 2015 to date is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Upfront Fee |
Search and Retrieval Fee |
Internal Review Fee |
Fees refunded * |
Total Net Fee |
|
2014 |
€165.00 |
€188.55 |
€75.00 |
€45.00 |
€383.55 |
|
2015 |
0 |
0 |
€30.00 |
0 |
€30.00 |
*Fees were refunded where request was handled outside of FOI.
