Written Answers Nos. 32-36
32. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on payments for 2015 and 2016 to a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme. [9257/16]
View answerThe person named has been approved under Tranche 2 of GLAS with a contract start date of 1st January 2016.
The first payment due to the person named is in respect of the 2016 scheme year and this payment will be processed in the final quarter of this year.
33. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a scheme to allow for the reconstruction of forestry that suffered wind damage as a result of severe weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9259/16]
View answerApproval to fund a reconstitution scheme for forests affected by the winter storms of 2013/2014 was sought by my Department from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has sought further information on the impacts of such a scheme on the insurance market for forestry and also on other issues of concern. My Department is currently examining these requests.
34. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9264/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes which was received in the Department on 19 May 2015. Payments issued for these schemes to the nominated bank account of the person named in December 2015 and April 2016 respectively. My Department has no record of any amendment form being submitted. An Official from my Department will contact the person named to discuss this matter.
35. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to close Coillte offices; and the number and location of these. [9265/16]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the location of the company’s offices, are the responsibility of the company.
Coillte has, however, advised that the only office which the company is proposing to vacate is the office located in Santry, Dublin. I am also advised that this location was always intended as a temporary office and that the functions there will be consolidated with those in the company’s Head Office in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.
36. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) following a successful appeal. [9273/16]
View answerA clawback penalty was imposed in relation to previous payments made during the participation of the person named in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS4). This clawback penalty amount was notified to the person named by Department officials by letter dated 28 September 2015. The person named subsequently appealed this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO).
The AAO decided to partially allow the appeal in favour of the person named. This decision was notified to the person named by letter from the AAO dated 20th April 2016. The AAO has now returned the file to the Department. The file will be processed in line with the decision of the AAO and the outstanding payments due to the person named will be made at the earliest possible opportunity.
