Tuesday, 17 May 2016

Written Answers Nos. 1042-1061

Grant Payments

Questions (1042)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

1042. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue the crisis grant to pig farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10173/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Applications were invited for this scheme with a closing date for receipt of Wednesday 9th March 2016. These payments have already commenced and a payment of €3,300 is issuing to all eligible pig farmers with the majority of successful applicants having already received it. At this point Ireland is one of the few member states to have fully drawn down the EU payments agreed at last September’s Council of Agriculture Ministers.

This week I am also attending my first meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels where I will be again highlighting current market difficulties in the pig sector. I also took the opportunity to raise them in my bilateral discussions with Commissioner Hogan in Dublin last Thursday, and specifically discussed the timing of re-opening of the APS scheme for pigmeat and the Commission’s efforts to re-open the Russian market for EU pigmeat.

Question No. 1043 answered with Question No. 1008.

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Questions (1044)

Seán Canney

Question:

1044. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue a hardship grant to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10195/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application for compensation under the Emergency Flood Damage Relief Measure 2016 was received in my Department from the person named on 2nd February. Under the terms and conditions of this Measure, emergency flood damage relief compensation is available to farmers under 3 categories;

a) loss of livestock,

b) damage to fixed agricultural structures and fittings, and

c) the necessity to move livestock to alternate housing (excluding the cost of feed).

During a verification check of the person’s application, it was apparent that the damage/losses described did not fall within these categories. Therefore, the application concerned could not be considered for aid under the Measure. This decision has recently been communicated to the person named.

There is provision under the measure for unsuccessful applicants to seek a review of the initial decision taken. An official from my Department will contact the person named to explain the position.

Felling Licences Applications

Questions (1045)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1045. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will replace a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10209/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person in question currently holds four valid felling licences. Copies of all four licences have now been sent to him by post.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Questions (1046)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

1046. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will grant all the successful applications under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II; if he is aware of the anger this long delay is causing, whilst understanding the need to complete the necessary administrative checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10210/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Administrative checks on applications received for Tranche 1 have been completed and it is expected that any outstanding approvals or part-approvals will issue over the next few weeks. I am aware that applicants are very anxious to proceed with their investments and this matter is receiving the appropriate attention within my Department.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (1047)

Joe Carey

Question:

1047. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) can appeal a decision under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10214/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2015 Basic Payment (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2015.

Following successful processing of the ANC application, payment issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named in December 2015.

During processing of the BPS application an over claim was identified in respect of one of the parcels declared, and notification issued to the person named advising him of his right to a review. To date no reply has been received. An official from my Department will contact the person directly in order to progress this case.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Questions (1048)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1048. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payment to a person (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10219/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applicant in question has applied under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II in the first tranche. The administrative checks have been carried out on the application and approval to proceed will issue to the applicant shortly. Payment will issue when the work has been carried out in line with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.

Basic Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (1049)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1049. 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 Scottish derogation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10220/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application for allocation of entitlements under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.

EU Regulations require that all applications are subject to administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted under their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application. An issue regarding land details is currently under investigation and is due to be resolved shortly. When this issue has been resolved, my Department will correspond directly with the person named and advise him of the outcome of his application.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (1050)

Seán Kyne

Question:

1050. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to an application by a person (details supplied) under the single payment scheme 2014, if two parcels are within a site designated under European Union law as a special area of conservation or as a special protection area, and as such if cognisance was taken of European Union rules whereby if these lands were deemed eligible in 2008 they maintained their eligibility where the designation prohibited actions taking place on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The holding in question was subject to a Remote Sensing inspection in 2014. As part of this process a follow up ground check on the parcels in question, namely 13729301 and G13729302, was undertaken to clarify issues regarding the eligibility of the lands. In January 2015 officers of my Department inspected these lands and identified that there was no agricultural activity being carried out resulting in the lands being ineligible for payment under the 2014 Direct Payment Schemes.

In relation to the designation of lands, only part of one of the parcels (G13729302) is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Notwithstanding this designation, as officers of my Department had determined that there was no agricultural activity present on either parcel, the provisions relating to eligibility under the Direct Payment Schemes and the specific provisions attaching to designated lands cannot be considered in this case.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (1051)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1051. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the decision of the previous Minister to seek tenders once again for a single supplier of cattle tags; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10238/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has reviewed the rationale for seeking a single supplier for cattle tags in an upcoming public procurement competition. This review concluded that this policy is in the best interest of stakeholders and the bovine traceability system in Ireland.

The single supplier policy is deemed to be the optimum mechanism for ensuring that ear tags are made available to Irish farmers at a competitive price on the grounds that a single supplier, selected on the basis of a competitive tender and benefitting from economies of scale, is likely to make bovine tags available to herd keepers at the most competitive price, while at the same time meeting the identification requirements of the bovine sector in Ireland for superior quality bovine tags. This policy has been endorsed by the main farming organisations.

I am currently considering this matter further and my Department will publish a Request for Tenders (RFT) shortly.

Ceadúnú Báid Iascaireachta Mara

Questions (1052)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1052. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil iarratas faighte aige ó ionadaithe poiblí ag lorg go gcasfaidh sé le duine (sonraí tugtha); cén uair a bheidh an cruinniú ann; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10240/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Faoi mar a d’fhéadfadh bheith ar eolas ag an Teachta Dála, faoin Acht Iascaigh (Leasú), 2003, aistríodh feidhmeanna um cheadúnú báid iascaireachta mara ón Aire go dtí an tÚdarás Ceadúnúcháin um Báid Iascaireachta Mara, a oibríonn ar bhonn neamhspleách faoi réir na gcritéar a leagtar amach san Acht sin agus i dTreoracha Beartais ón Aire. Déanann an tÚdarás Ceadúnaithe breithniú ar gach iarratas ar cheadúnais bháid iascaireachta mara.

Mar an tAire, tá freagracht orm as beartas i dtaca le ceadúnú báid iascaireachta mara faoi Alt 3(3) den Acht Iascaigh (Leasú), 2003, arna leasú ag Alt 99 den Acht um Iascaigh Mhara agus Dlínse Muirí, 2006. Sa chomhthéacs seo, agus faoi mar a luaitear thuas, déantar foráil in Alt 3 d’Acht 2003 do threoracha beartais ón Aire a eisiúint don Údarás Ceadúnúcháin um Báid Iascaireachta Mara neamhspleách. Cuirtear cosc orm, áfach, ó “aon chumhacht nó rialú a fheidhmiú i dtaca le haon chás nó aon ghrúpa ar leith cásanna lena bhfuil nó lena bhféadfadh an tÚdarás Ceadúnúcháin a bheith bainteach”.

Níl aon taifid i m’oifig ar iarratas a fháil le roinnt míonna anuas ón ionadaí/na hionadaithe poiblí chun casadh leis an duine dá dtagraíonn an Teachta Dála ach fuarthas uiríll ó dhuine eile ar son an bháid iascaireachta atá i gceist. Ar aon chuma, faoi mar a leagtar amach thuas, mar an tAire, ní féidir liom teagmháil a dhéanamh le húinéir an árthaigh atá i gceist sa cheist seo mar gheall go gcuirtear dianchosc sa dlí orm ó thionchar a imirt ar chásanna ceadúnaithe aonair. Mholfainn, dá mba mhian leis an duine atá i gceist plé breise a dhéanamh ar a iarratas ar leith, gur cheart dóibh teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an Údarás Ceadúnúcháin um Báid Iascaireachta Mara. Tá sonraí teagmhála an Údaráis ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin mo Roinne.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (1053)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1053. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the term of office of the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland; if ministerial permission is required to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10241/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The office of Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland is due to expire in September 2016. The filling of this important post after that date is currently under consideration and is the subject of discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (1054)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1054. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding payments for 2015 will be paid to a herd owner (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10242/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are a number of applications, including that of the person named, remaining which have not passed all of the Department’s pre-payment validation checks for the 2015 part-year payment. The Department is continuing to investigate these issues including the correction of any IT or data issues with a view to all these remaining cases meeting the payment validation checks so that they will be paid the full amount of their 2015 part-year payment at the same time the 2015 GLAS balancing payment is due to issue.

Beef Genomics Scheme

Questions (1055)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1055. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept an application from a person (details supplied) to use 2015 as the reference year under the beef data and genomics scheme due to force majeure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10247/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2015 – 2020 Beef Data and Genomics Programme application on 29 May 2015. While the scheme Terms and Conditions indicate that 2014 would be used as the reference year for the establishment of the Maximum Payable Area (MPA), the same Terms and Conditions provided for the use of 2015 in exceptional circumstances.

The person named submitted an application to use 2015 rather than 2014. My Department informed the person named in writing dated 25th April 2016 that his request was refused. The person named appealed this decision and submitted further information. Following a review of the case it has been agreed to accept 2015 as the reference year for the person named. My Department has been in direct contact with the person named informing him of this decision and a letter will issue setting out additional requirements required as a result of this decision.

Direct Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (1056)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1056. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments under the direct payment schemes to a person (details supplied); when the payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10279/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 17 April 2015. Payment issued in February 2016 to the nominated bank account of the person named. A final balancing payment will issue over the coming weeks when the definitive value of entitlements has been established. An official of my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to clarify the position.

Animal Disease Controls

Questions (1057)

Pat Breen

Question:

1057. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 14 April 2016, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10292/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Applications for support in respect of 2015 born PI calves removed in a timely manner are currently being processed. I can confirm that my Department has received an application from the above named.

Common Fisheries Policy

Questions (1058)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1058. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10315/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fisheries in the EU, as is the case with agriculture, are governed by a common policy – the CFP or Common Fisheries Policy. The overall framework for a new CFP was agreed by the European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in 2013. The Review of the Policy had commenced in 2009 and was the subject of active consultation and debate over the 2009 to 2013 period. The Policy is thereby set and the arrangements for the setting of Quotas, the management of fisheries, the introduction of the phased implementation of the landing obligation and the responsibilities of Member States are all set out within the settled Framework of the new CFP. The proposal suggested by the Deputy on behalf of one group of fishermen must be considered in this context.

The Demersal Discard Plan to apply for 2016 was unanimously agreed by all Member States of the North Western Waters Group and submitted to the EU Commission in May 2016. It has since been evaluated by the Scientific, Technical, Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) and approved by both the European Parliament and the full Council of Ministers. The Member State Group worked in close consultation with the industry body, North Western Waters Advisory Council, representatives of which attended each meeting of the North Western Waters Group at Director and Technical level since January 2016.

The Landing Obligation for demersal species is due to come into effect from 1 January 2016 and will apply to all TAC species by 2019. This period of phasing in was a key plank in the negotiations of the new CFP Reform and was pushed strongly by Ireland to avoid a “big bang” and to allow time to adjust behaviour. The North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) advised that they also wanted to avoid a “big bang” in 2016 or 2019. In line with this, the Member States are committed to a progressive and incremental introduction of the landing obligation over the period 1 January 2016 to 1 January 2019. The landing obligation will be phased-in for other fisheries in the years leading up to 2019, when it will apply to all stocks.

Only certain demersal stocks will be subject to the landing obligation in 2016. For Ireland the stocks affected this year are Nephrops (Prawns) in Area VII, Whiting in the Celtic Sea, and Haddock in the Irish Sea and West of Scotland.

The purpose of the landing obligation is to gradually phase out the dumping of perfectly good fish at sea and to end the catching and discarding of juvenile fish. If discarding can be gradually reduced and ended it will rapidly allow stocks to rebuild so that there will be higher quotas of commercial fish available to Irish fishermen, thereby underpinning their future.

The proposal from the Deputy is not a matter of national policy choice for Ireland and would not be in keeping with the legal requirements set out in the Landing Obligation and the wider Common Fisheries Policy. The new CFP continues to rely upon clear Quota outtake limits for Member States and imposes clear legal obligations for Member States to respect those quota limits. National legislation continues to require vessel licence holders to respect the appropriate quota limitations applicable to their vessel.

I would like to also note that at the December Fisheries Council in Brussels, which determined the TACs for 2016, the values of whitefish and prawn quotas available in 2016 were increased for the third consecutive year. Stocks which were coming under the Landing Obligation in 2016 were granted additional quota uplift for 2016, to reflect the changed policy in respect of those Stocks. The overall 8% increase in quota for prawns, which would otherwise have been subject to a 2% decrease in line with the scientific advice, includes a 10% quota uplift to support the introduction of the discards ban. Similarly the 26% increase in Celtic Sea whiting includes quota uplift as does the 40% increase in the Irish Sea Haddock Quota.

Finally, earlier this year, we launched new funding schemes to support the implementation of the landing obligation. Those schemes provide for a €241 million investment in the seafood sector and are co-funded by the EU. Support for the implementation of the new CFP and the landing obligation is an important part of this investment programme.

Basic Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (1059)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

1059. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for 2015 to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10322/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application for allocation of entitlements under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the Basic Payment Scheme on 30th April 2015. Under EU Regulations governing the Basic Payment scheme, the applicant must meet the definition of “active farmer” in 2015 as defined in Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013. In addition to applying for an allocation of entitlements under the Scottish Derogation, the applicant must also submit a Basic Payment Scheme application form in 2015.

The person named did not submit a Basic Payment Scheme application form in 2015 and was therefore deemed unsuccessful under the Scottish Derogation. A rejection letter issued to him on the 13th November 2015 and an opportunity to appeal was included. To date no appeal has been received.

Planning Issues

Questions (1060)

Pat Breen

Question:

1060. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10323/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The area concerned is identified in the Clare County Development Plan as a prime scenic area. Therefore this application was referred to Clare County Council and An Taisce for their observations. The application has now been sent to the Department’s Forestry Inspector for his recommendation. The application was advertised in the local press on 22nd April. A decision cannot issue until at least a month after the date of advertisement. The Department will be in contact with the applicant as soon as possible after the application has been considered.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (1061)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

1061. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the ongoing delay in having the balance of payment in respect of a scheme issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork and if he is aware that his Department confirmed recently that the payment was due to issue some weeks ago but has not to date. [10396/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 23 May 20 15. Full payment due to date under the Scheme has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named in January 2016. A further final balancing payment will issue to applicants who qualify for such payment, following the definitive allocation of entitlements over the coming weeks.