Written Answers Nos 145-160
145. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the rural environment protection scheme 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3524/16]
View answerThe person name joined REPS4 on 1 May 2008. He continued his participation in REPS4 for a period of 5 years and 8 months and his participation under the Scheme ended on 31 December 2013. He received his final REPS4 payment for the 2013 Scheme Year in February 2014.
On further examination, however, it was found that the person named was no longer farming the full contract area under his REPS4 application on which he had initially entered the Scheme. As a result, a clawback was applied to his payments, which included retrospective clawback to payments made for previous years, as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. The person named was notified of the clawback amount and the reason for the clawback by Department letter dated 17 October 2013.
The case was reviewed by the Regional Inspector at the applicant’s request but the review found that there was no reason for reducing the clawback amount. The person named was notified of outcome of the review by letter dated 12 November 2015. He was also informed that if he was not satisfied with the decision of the Regional Inspector he could appeal that decision directly to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months of the date of the review letter.
146. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3525/16]
View answerDepartment records indicate that the second person named is deceased. At present the Department do not have any legal documents in relation to the estate of the deceased. The Inheritance Enquiry Unit of the Department will be in touch with the legal representative of the estate to obtain the legal documentation required to release outstanding payments due to the estate.
147. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3530/16]
View answerMy Department’s Operational Programme under the European Fisheries Fund provided funding for the development of the seafood sector over the period 2008 to 2015. The Programme was funded through an EU allocation of approximately €42 million and €24 million in Exchequer funding, bringing total funds to approximately €66 million. The Programme ended in December 2015 and funding for the seafood sector is now provided through my Department’s new €240 million EMFF Seafood Development Operational Programme, which I formally launched on 14 January 2016.
The accounts for the EFF Programme are not yet finalised, so I cannot provide the Deputy with a final figure on how much in EU or Exchequer funds were invested and how much was unused at the end of the Programme. Present estimates from my Department suggest that in the region of €2 million in EU funds were unused, giving a drawdown rate of 95%. This would be a very successful outcome for any EU funding programme and will compare very favourably with other Member States. It is worth noting that all of the funds available were awarded to investment projects, but inevitably some do not proceed, while others do not avail of the full amount of funds offered to them. When this happens in the final year of the Programme there is no scope to re-allocate funds to other projects.
In July 2015, the Irish Salmon Growers Association published its report ‘Potential for Land Based Salmon Growout in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in Ireland). The report describes in detail all technical aspects of RAS production and system design and operations. It also covers important biological aspects of land based salmon production. The Report states that its main aim is to assess the viability of land based salmon production in RAS under Irish conditions. This includes detailed information of capital expenditure and operational costs as well as the market situation for salmon. The core conclusions of the report are that RAS is a proven technology and has a role to play in the freshwater part of the life cycle of salmon; It is technically possible to produce market size salmon in an RAS system but based on the assumptions in the report, in Ireland, the capital cost of setting up a large scale commercial unit is very high; There are also still technical difficulties to be overcome to achieve reliability in the production of saltwater salmon in land based facilities.
I understand that the production of this Report cost €8,600 and that this was 100% funded by Bord Iascaigh Mhara through a 2014 call for projects under the Aquaculture Knowledge, Innovation and Technology Scheme.
I am advised by BIM that it has carefully considered the Report and is not aware of any inaccuracies in the report. Based on BIM’s own knowledge of the topic and informed from a number of sources, BIM considers the report to be thorough and that its findings are reasonable.
I was delighted to publish in December 2015 Ireland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. That Plan proposes 24 actions to drive the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector and grow production in the sector by 45,000 tonnes by 2023. The Plan targets a 30% increase in production derived from recirculating aquaculture systems. Considerable international developmental effort is being put into determining the commercial viability of land based RAS systems for the large scale production of salmon. There appears to be a market niche for such a product if the current technological challenges associated with an economically viable production system can be overcome. On 14 January 2016, I launched a new Aquaculture 'Knowledge Gateway Scheme' as part of my Department's 'EMFF Seafood Development Operational Programme'. I have provided BIM with a budget of €8.2 million for that Scheme. In close collaboration with aquaculture enterprises and researchers, the Scheme aims to develop knowledge, innovation and technology in the aquaculture sector to ensure its sustainable development. An important part of the focus of the Scheme will be the applied research and development required into RAS, identified on page 66 of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.
148. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite an application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the basic payment scheme 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3544/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme which was received in the Department on 18 May 2015. Final processing of this application has been completed and the balancing payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
149. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding he allocated and the funding spent on capital projects and other initiatives in the constituency of Louth-East Meath, by project and initiative, by completion date and by cost, for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3554/16]
View answerIt is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
150. 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 2015 basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3588/16]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 28 May, 2015. Processing of the application and associated documentation (including commonage evidence) is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
151. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 19 January 2016, how many persons in counties Galway and Mayo had reductions in their agriculture grants as a result of previously eligible land being reviewed and removed as a result of that land being part of a special area of conservation, by county, in each of the years 2013 to 2015; if he will assist persons in this situation, given that this was not addressed in his answer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3602/16]
View answerThe act of designating land as a Special Area of Conservation does not deem land ineligible under the Basic Payment Scheme. Officials in my Department are in direct contact with the Deputy to clarify the position on the matter raised in the question.
152. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for tranche 2 of green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the number of applicants from each tier who have been informed of their acceptance into the scheme, with contracts commencing on 1 January 2016; the average annual payment approved for these applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3612/16]
View answerGLAS 2, the second tranche of the Green Low-carbon Agri-Environment Scheme, closed for submission of applications in mid December. A total of 14,041 applications were successfully submitted before the deadline.
My Department has completed its assessment of all applications in line with the requirements set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions and, as I announced earlier today, I am very pleased to say that a further 11,500 farmers will be approved to join GLAS under this tranche. All will have a 1 January commencement date. This brings the total number of farmers in the Scheme to some 38,000 - a record number of entrants to an agri-environment scheme in a single year. The unprecedented level of interest represents a huge endorsement of the new Scheme by Irish farmers and delivers on this Government’s commitment to implementing an accessible agri-environment scheme which recognises the critical role played by Irish farmers in protecting and enhancing our natural resources. Formal letters of approval are issuing to successful applicants this week.
The very high demand for the new Scheme means that priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, as required under the Rural Development Programme. Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates are those who either manage key environmental assets like endangered birds, protected habitats or high-quality water courses, or who have committed to undertake particularly valuable environmental actions like growing feed-crops for wild birds, adopting low-impact tillage techniques or using low-emission slurry spreading methods. Farmers had been urged to present the highest standard environmental plans under GLAS 2, and to adopt actions that would promote them to Tier 2 or even Tier 1 status and I am delighted that so many have opted to do so. Applications from 7,097 Tier 1 candidates were received and 6,746 of these are being approved immediately, with the balance under review. For Tier 2, a total of 4,198 applications were received and 3,975 of these are being approved immediately, with the balance similarly under review.
I can also confirm that all GLAS 2 applications from new entrants to farming in 2015, and from new farm partnerships, are being granted priority access under this round, including applications by Tier 3 candidates. These are applicants who had been unable to apply under GLAS 1, for technical reasons, and I am very happy to be able to accommodate these farmers under this round. In terms of the average value of contracts, it is not possible to establish this accurately until payment claims are submitted as part of the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme process, and pre-payment validations are completed.
A further tranche of the Scheme will be launched in the Autumn, and those who were unsuccessful this time round will be free to apply again, or indeed to upgrade their applications to increase their chance of success. The progress to date on GLAS leaves me in no doubt that our total target of 50,000 participants will be met in this third tranche of the Scheme.
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid is available to replant forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3622/16]
View answerThere is no grant aid available to replant a forest after it has been harvested. Forestry is a sustainable commercial venture, enabling the landowner to sustain his investment and hence, replanting operations do not attract subsidies.
154. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why payments in respect of two calves disposed of as a result of bovine viral diarrhoea were not made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [3623/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for compensation under the 2013 BVD Compensation Programme for Beef Breed Animals born in 2013 on the 25 November 2013. The person named had one calf persistently infected (PI) with BVD born in 2013. The scheme provided that payment would be made in respect of the second and subsequent PIs removed to the knackery within a specified timeframe. As the person named had only one PI in 2013 he is not eligible for payment under the Scheme.
The person named also had a PI positive animal born in 2011. However there was no BVD Compensation Programme for farmers who had persistently infected calves born in their herds in 2011.
155. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the young farmer scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3624/16]
View answerThe person named is not an applicant under the Young Farmer Scheme. The person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease as transferee. She has also submitted an application for an allocation of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements under the Scottish Derogation measure. Outstanding issues with the transferor in the Private Contract Clause application are currently preventing the processing of these applications.
156. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the young farmer scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3625/16]
View answerThe person named submitted applications under the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department under the above herd number. This herd number had transferred into the name of the person named in January 2015. Outstanding issues in relation to the person who previously held the herd number are currently preventing the processing of the applications submitted by the person named.
157. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3626/16]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from 1 September 2011.
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 be completed before any payment can issue. The application of the person named was selected for an on-farm inspection in 2015, during which non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Planting New Hedgerow and Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance actions. The person named was notified of the inspection finding on the 16 November 2015.
The application will now be processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payment in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, less penalty, will issue at the earliest opportunity.
158. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the agri-environment options scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3628/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 September 2010 and has been paid for the 2010-2014 scheme years.
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. As it is their final scheme year, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. It is expected that these checks will be completed shortly.
159. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total payments made to persons in County Cavan under the 2015 single farm payment, disadvantaged areas, rural environment protection and agri-environment options schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3629/16]
View answerThe information required is outlined in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Beneficiaries |
Amount paid |
|
BPS |
4,619 |
€31,696,392.40 |
|
ANC |
4,548 |
€9,276,643.78 |
|
AEOS |
431 |
€1,452,824.91 |
|
REPS 4 |
125 |
€570,513 |
160. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total payments made to persons in County Monaghan under the 2015 single farm payment, disadvantaged areas, rural environment protection and agri-environment options schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3630/16]
View answerThe information required is outlined in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Beneficiaries |
Amount paid |
|
BPS |
3,929 |
€26,824,146.00 |
|
ANC |
3,823 |
€7,194,721.33 |
|
AEOS |
317 |
€1,003,429.51 |
|
REPS 4 |
111 |
€504,299.00 |
