Written Answers Nos. 962-981
962. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a scheme to allow for the reconstruction of forestry following storm damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9852/16]
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.
963. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) is eligible to draw forestry premium on lands in County Tipperary as no premium has been drawn down on this land in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9853/16]
View answerPayment of grants and premiums under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme can only be made where an application has been submitted and approved by the Department before the land is planted. In the case of the person named there is no record of an application having been received under this Scheme. If the land has yet to be afforested it is open to the person named to submit an application. In this regard they should consult first with a registered forester or forestry company, details of which are available on the Department's website, about the suitability of the site for planting and, where appropriate, about the submission of an application.
964. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of applications by a person (details supplied) under the single payment scheme and the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9824/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme which was received in the Department on 14 April 2015. On processing this application, it was discovered that a land parcel claimed by the person named was dual claimed with another herd owner. The person named confirmed, in a reply to a dual claim notification letter, that he had not got the right to claim this land parcel. The over claim penalty , in this instance , is no Basic Payment for the year in question. A payment in respect of the Greening element of the BPS issued to the nominated bank account of the person named in December 2015.
An appeal was received from the person named, but was not upheld. This case is currently being re-examined and an official from my Department will be in contact with the appellant.
In relation to the GLAS 1 application approved under the herd number detailed, the 2015 part year GLAS payment cannot issue until the BPS payment has been finalised.
965. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of money drawn down from the European Fisheries Fund programme in the period 2008 to 2015 by his Department in the areas of marketing, aquaculture, processing and fishing, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9864/16]
View answer967. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total grant recipients, total grant amounts, approval dates, total amount drawn and not drawn down, percentage of grant aid, total project costs under the European Fisheries Fund programme in 2015; the date whereby a recipient notified Bord Iascaigh Mhara that funding would not be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9866/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 965 and 967 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available at this time in the format requested. My Department will compile the data and forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
966. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds that were unused at the end of the European Fisheries Fund programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9865/16]
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. The accounts for the EFF Programme are not yet finalised and a closure process needs to be completed between my Department and the EU before a final figure is available, 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 €0.9 million in EU funds were unused, giving a drawdown rate of 98%. 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.
968. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all funding for reports and research carried out on the area of recirculating aquaculture systems in Ireland that received grant aid by Bord Iascaigh Mhara during the term of the outgoing Government; the amount of grant aid per publication completed; the publications that were used to feed into Government policy for the aquaculture industry and for funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9867/16]
View answerI am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that it provided financial supports to two projects in the period concerned. It provided €8,600 to the Irish Salmon Growers Association for preparation of its report ‘Potential for Land Based Salmon Growout in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems in Ireland’ and it provided €10,801 to Future Fish Ltd to investigate the feasibility of establishing a land based salmon farm using closed containment recirculation technology and to create a business plan from it. In December 2015, the former Minister published 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 preparation of that Plan was informed by a plethora of Irish and international trade journals and publications, together with the policies, plans and legal instruments below, which are referenced in the Plan:
- Europe 2020 – A Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth - COM (2010) 2020 Final.
- An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union - COM(2007) 575 Final.
- Blue Growth opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth - COM/2012/494 Final.
- Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (1380/2013).
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation (508/2014).
- Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56).
- Habitats Directive (92/43).
- Birds Directive (2009/147).
- Marine Spatial Planning Directive (2014/89).
- Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000 (Department of Arts Heritage and Gaeltacht 2014).
- Strategy for Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture COM (2002) 511 Final.
- Building a Sustainable Future for Aquaculture. A New Impetus for the Strategy for the Sustainable Development of European Aquaculture - COM/2009/162 Final.
- Strategic Guidelines for the Sustainable Development of EU Aquaculture COM(2013) 229 Final.
- Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth (2012).
- Food Harvest 2020.
- Fish to 2030 - Prospects for fisheries and aquaculture (Word Bank 2013).
- Atlantic Strategy (EU Commission 2013).
- Action Plan for a Maritime Strategy in the Atlantic area (EU Commission 2013).
- The Economic Performance of the EU Aquaculture Sector (EU Commission 2014).
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara Strategy 2013-2017.
- Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016.
- Ireland’s 2nd National Biodiversity Plan (Department of Arts Heritage and Gaeltacht 2011)
969. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the national strategic plan for sustainable aquaculture development target for a 30% increase in production derived from recirculating aquaculture systems will be achieved; the available supports to develop new recirculating aquaculture systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9868/16]
View answerIn December 2015 my Department launched 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, the new Aquaculture ‘Knowledge Gateway Scheme’ was launched 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.
970. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applications to the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 to date; the total number of applications that have been approved to date; the total number of participants that have received payments to date; the number of payments that have not issued yet; when outstanding payments will issue, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9869/16]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is being collated and will be provided to him as soon as possible.
971. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the basic payment scheme made to date in 2016; the number of applications which were made online; if he will extend the deadline as in 2015, to enable all eligible participants to meet the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9870/16]
View answerIt is expected that the total number of applications under the 2016 BPS will be close to 133,000. The rate at which applications were being received was carefully monitored on a daily basis over the past number of weeks. My Department was also in regular contact with all of the stakeholders as the application deadline approached. In addition my Department provided a range of supports for applicants wishing to lodge applications last week and over the weekend by extending the opening hours of its office in Portlaoise and also of its Ag-food help-line.
As of yesterday morning (Monday 16th May) the total number of applications received under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was over 125,000 broken down into 97,000 online applications and 28,000 paper applications.
Given the rate at which applications were being received it was confirmed that an extension to the deadline was not deemed to be necessary.
972. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under the 2015 national reserve and young farmers scheme; the number of these applicants which have received payments to date; when outstanding payments will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9871/16]
View answerMy Department received just over 7,000 applications under the 2015 National Reserve and almost 9,000 applications under the 2015 Young Farmers Scheme. To date some 6,800 applications under the National Reserve and some 8,800 applications under the Young Farmers Scheme have been fully processed. In the case of outstanding applications, issues pertaining to registration of herd numbers, entitlement registration, agricultural educational qualifications and off-farm income details need to be verified for applicants. My Department is engaged in ongoing correspondence with applicants requesting additional documentation where this is required to facilitate final processing of their applications. A number of applicants have yet to respond and these cases cannot be fully processed until replies are received. Once the relevant documents have been received the outstanding applications will be finalised, with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
973. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of applications by persons (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9896/16]
View answerPart approvals under TAMS II have issued to applicants who needed to put in place urgent milking facilities and those who needed urgent Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment. Administrative checks on applications for tranche 1 have been completed and it is expected that any outstanding approvals or part-approvals will issue over the next few weeks. The administrative checks are ongoing on the applications received under the second tranche. Work is ongoing on the completion of a computer system to process the subsequent TAMS II payment claims.
974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) in respect of a milk processing plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9897/16]
View answerAll milk processing plants whose milk is destined for human consumption must meet the requirements set out in detailed EU food safety regulations, generally referred to as the ‘Hygiene Package’. These regulations are implemented in Ireland under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009). An application for approval as a food business operator from the above-named person is under active consideration by my Department. The applicant has been notified of an imminent initial inspection visit to the proposed premises by officials from the Veterinary Public Health Inspection Service. The granting of approval to operate will depend on the outcome of the inspection process and the completion of any upgrading that may be required by the applicant to meet the regulatory standards.
975. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/16]
View answerThe applicant in question has applied in tranche one for a number of investments under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II including a concrete tank, a roller door, cattle weighing scales, yard lights and a slatted unit. The application has passed the administrative checks and it is expected that approval will issue in the next two weeks.
976. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9363/16]
View answerThe person named submitted Transfer of Entitlements Allocation Right and Reference Value applications to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights and values by Change of Registration Details of Herd Number as transferee. As the herd number under which these applications were submitted is still held jointly by the person named and another person, the applications could not be processed. The person named must firstly apply to her local District Veterinary Office to make arrangements to have the herd number amended from being held in joint names to being held solely in her own name.
977. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) under the national reserve scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9366/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2015 Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. The Young Farmers Scheme payment is calculated based on the number of entitlements activated by the successful applicant. While the person named meets the eligibility conditions for the Young Farmers Scheme in all other respects, he holds no active entitlements upon which payment can be made. A letter has issued to the person named informing him of the decision in relation to his application and offering the opportunity to appeal this decision.
978. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation under the rural development programme 2014 to 2020 and the allocation in the 2016 Estimates for the M01 knowledge transfer and information actions; M04 investments in physical assets; M10 agri-environment-climate; M11 organic farming; M12 Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive Payments; M13 payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints; M19 support for leader local development (CLLD-community-led local development); and the M20 technical assistance, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9413/16]
View answerIreland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 is co-funded by the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the national Exchequer. For the specific measures mentioned the overall allocation under the RDP and the 2016 allocation in the estimates are set out in the table.
|
Measure |
Overall allocation under the RDP (€) |
Allocation for 2016* (€) |
|
M01 Knowledge Transfer and Information Actions |
126,000,000 |
15 ,000,000 |
|
M04 Investments in Physical Assets |
425,000,000 |
39,000,000 |
|
M10 Agri-environment-climate |
1,585,000,000 |
209,000,000 |
|
M11 Organic farming |
56,000,000 |
10 , 000 , 000 |
|
M12 Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive payments |
73.000,000 |
8,000,000 |
|
M13 Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints |
1,370,000 ,000 |
202,000,000 |
|
M19 Support for LEADER local development (CLLD – community-led local development) |
250,000,000 |
35,000,000 |
|
M20 Technical assistance |
6,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
*Rounded to nearest million.
979. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the export of greyhounds to China; if he has concerns for the welfare of the dogs when exported; if he has legislative proposals to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9415/16]
View answerOnce appropriate animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally. Health certification arrangements are in place and exporters are also required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport. A range of flight carriers make the appropriate arrangements for the safe transport of animals worldwide in accordance with the requirements of International Air Transport. The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) has advised all owners involved in the export of greyhounds to only export to destinations that provide the expected levels of care and management as defined in the IGB's Code of Practice for the welfare of greyhounds. I fully endorse this view.
980. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have had retrospective penalties of one year, two years, three years, four years and five years or more imposed on them for errors in their declarations under the area aid scheme and the land parcel identification system since 2008; the total penalties imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9418/16]
View answerAs part of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) review undertaken in recent years funds have been recouped retrospectively from applicants, where ineligible features have been identified post payment. With regard to the period in question the number of farmers and the amount recouped is set out in the table.
|
Years |
Number of Applicants |
Amount Recouped € (SPS) |
|
1 |
3 , 404 |
337,001.88 |
|
2 |
2 , 374 |
490,387.59 |
|
3 |
2 , 854 |
901,100.31 |
|
4 |
4 , 795 |
2,126,745.69 |
981. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why under the young farmers scheme 2016 it is a requirement that applicants must have started their agricultural education by 16 May 2016; if he will change this condition, given the long waiting lists to get on qualifying agricultural educational courses; if he will change this requirement to having evidence of an application to attend such a course, rather than the commencement of such a course by 16 May 2016, conditional on no payments being made to applicants, until attendance is verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9421/16]
View answerIn line with the introduction of the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, Ireland introduced the National Reserve and Young Farmers Schemes which are designed to encourage and facilitate the entrance of young farmers and new entrants to farming. To ensure that the benefits of the ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ categories are targeted at those who have a genuine interest in farming as a career, Ireland included agricultural education at FETAC level 6 standard or its equivalent as a requirement to qualify for the schemes. In order to maximise the number of young farmers for eligibility under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers schemes, it was decided that any person who meets the other qualifying requirements and commenced a relevant agricultural course anytime up to and including September 2016 would be accepted under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme in 2015.
In September 2015 the EU Commission notified Ireland that the proposal to allow applicants to commence their agricultural education on a date after the date of submitting an application for the National Reserve and/or Young Farmers schemes is contrary to the EU Regulations governing the schemes. Following this clarification my Department immediately took action and made arrangements to have FETAC Level 6 beginners courses made available to all applicants to the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Schemes at the earliest possible date to comply with the notification received from the EU Commission.
In light of this notification from the EU Commission, and in order to comply with EU Regulations pertaining to the implementation of the scheme, all applicants to the 2016 Young Farmers Scheme are required to have commenced their FETAC Level 6 course prior to submitting their application for the scheme in 2016. There is no flexibility within the notification from the EU Commission to allow applicants to commence their FETAC Level 6 course on a date after the submission of the application under the Young Farmers Scheme.
