Finian McGrath
Question:86. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support a matter concerning Howth Harbour (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3364/16]
View answerHarbour Authorities Properties
Questions (86)
Written answers
Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
While first and foremost a working fishery harbour, Howth, similar to the other five Fishery Harbour Centres, has its own unique features, and is home to a broad range of diverse economic and social activities.
My Department is conscious of the importance of both fishing and non fishing activities in Howth and endeavours to facilitate and develop both. This involves day to day operational support by Harbour staff and management and development and repair of infrastructure subject to available financial resources.
I am happy to advise the Deputy that, notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, in excess of €5.9 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme from 2011 to 2015.
On the 11 January I announced funding of €1.45 million for the maintenance and development of Howth Fishery Harbour Centre during 2016. Significant works in this year’s programme include the continued upgrading of the electrical system, provision of pontoons to west pier for ferry landings and traffic management works.
Of importance in the context of a possible future dredging project at Howth is the allocation of €100,000 for the preparation of a Dumping at Sea Licence which will be required before any dredging project could commence. This follows on from the €150,000 I approved as part of the 2015 Capital Programme for site investigation works at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, the report of which is due shortly, and will include vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project. This information is necessary for the preparation of the Dumping at Sea licence.
The groundwork is being undertaken to facilitate a dredging project at Howth, subject to funding being available.
As the Deputy is aware, all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, including a possible future dredging project at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.
TAMS Applications
Questions (87)
Michael Creed
Question:87. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has applied for grant aid under the nutrient management system can amend the application as the person has identified a mistake in the costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3395/16]
View answerWritten answers
The applicant in question has submitted a grant application under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme in TAMS II. Once applications are submitted on the online system they cannot be amended on line by the applicants. Applications under this scheme are being currently processed and my Department officials will be in contact to address the issue directly with the applicant.
Animal Welfare
Questions (88)
Clare Daly
Question:88. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of an horrific incidence of animal cruelty (details supplied) in County Carlow; the action he will take to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice; and his views that this is totally unacceptable [3398/16]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the incident to which the Deputy refers to has been reported to An Garda Siochana for investigation. Since these investigations are ongoing, I cannot comment any further on the matter.
Incidents of animal cruelty such as this are completely unacceptable. Sections 11 and 12 of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013, which I introduced, contain rules relating to the welfare of animals and outlawing cruelty. The Act also provides for increased levels of penalties. Under the Act, on summary conviction, a person can receive a fine of up to €5,000. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty is €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications
Questions (89)
John O'Mahony
Question:89. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person did not receive payment under the areas of natural constraint scheme; if a person can appeal a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3402/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 29 May, 2015. Payment has not issued to the person named as the holding concerned cannot be confirmed as satisfying the Scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements. Under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Section 3.6 of the ANC scheme Terms and Conditions advises that, while donkeys continue to be considered as a qualifying animal for inclusion in the stocking density calculations, only those donkeys registered in the name of the applicant and in accordance with EU Regulation 504/2008 will be considered eligible under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme.
Five donkey passports were received from the person named. Upon examination, three were deemed eligible and two deemed ineligible. EU Regulation 504/2008 requires all equines to be micro chipped and passports obtained by year end or within six months of birth, which ever date occurs later. The person named was notified in writing of these findings on 10 November 2015 and informed of the option to pursue the matter with the Agricultural Appeals Office.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Questions (90)
Pearse Doherty
Question:90. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive payment under the young farmer national reserve payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3404/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a 2015 Transfer of Entitlement Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named regarding land parcels omitted from the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application form submitted on behalf of the person named. Once the issues regarding the land parcels have been resolved the application can be further processed with a view to making payment as soon as possible.
The person named also submitted applications under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. Once payment under the Basic Payment Scheme has been made, the applications to the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme will be finalised with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
Agriculture Scheme Payments
Questions (91)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:91. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3422/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease. This application has been processed and payment will issue shortly.
The person named also submitted applications under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. Once payment under the Basic Payment Scheme has been made, the applications to the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme will be finalised with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (92)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:92. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the agri-environment options scheme and the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3429/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 7 May 2015. Processing of this application is complete and payment has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The person named joined AEOS 3 in May 2013 and has been paid for the 2013-2014 Scheme years. In relation to the payment in respect of 2015, under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. Once these checks have been successfully completed the payment can be processed.