Martin Kenny
Question:503. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has fined a person (details supplied) and reduced the person's payment under the basic payment scheme. [15498/16]
View answerBasic Payment Scheme Applications
Questions (503)
Written answers
The person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 16 April 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections be completed.
The application of the person named was selected for a Full Cross-Compliance inspection.
This inspection identified breaches in relation to pig and cattle identification and registration requirements resulting in a 1% penalty being recorded in respect of each category. Breaches were also identified in relation to Nitrates requirements as a result of inadequate facilities for dealing with clean and soiled water, inadequate collection of the manure and approx. 100 round bales of silage were stored within 20 meters of a drain. This resulted in a 5% penalty being applied. However as breaches in relation to Nitrates requirements were identified in 2014, the rules on re-occurrence were applied and the penalty was increased to 15%.
Further breaches were identified in relation to Pig and Animal Welfare requirements. In respect of Welfare of Pigs, poor animal husbandry, building accommodation, lighting, feed and water requirements resulted in a 5% penalty being applied. However as breaches in relation to Welfare of Pigs requirements were identified in 2014, the rules on re-occurrence were applied and the penalty was increased to 15%.
In respect of Welfare of Animals, very poor animal remedy records and no mortality records were maintained giving rise to a sanction of 5% being applied. However as similar breaches in this area were identified in 2014, the rules on re-occurrence were applied and the penalty was increased to 15%.
In total a 15% cross compliance penalty was applied to the 2015 Direct Payments being received by the person named. The person named was notified of this decision on 3 February 2016. The person named was also notified of the right to seek a review of this decision. To date no request for a review has been received by my Department.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
TAMS Applications
Questions (504)
Paul Kehoe
Question:504. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by persons (details supplied) under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; when he will approve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15518/16]
View answerWritten answers
The applicants in question have applied in the second tranche of the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme. Their application has been checked and the applicants have been requested to supply their Young Farmer Declaration Form and to respond to an issue in relation to their costings. When these details are received the application will go through the ranking and selection process and will then be sent to the local office for final technical checks before approval issues.
Agriculture Scheme Appeals
Questions (505)
Pat Breen
Question:505. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 26 April 2016, the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15522/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted an application under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve to my Department. This application was not successful as the applicant exceeded the off-farm income limit required for acceptance under the scheme. The applicant was notified in writing of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
The person named appealed the decision and officials in my Department are currently considering this appeal. The person named will shortly be notified in writing of the outcome.
Agriculture Scheme Applications
Questions (506)
Pat Breen
Question:506. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 26 April 2016, when he will issue a payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15545/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. All administrative and land checks have now been completed. Payment under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme will issue shortly directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
Basic Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (507)
Pat Breen
Question:507. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 14 April 2016, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15560/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named no longer holds the herd number shown. He applied to have the herd number transferred to another party in 2015. The person named submitted a Private Contract Clause (PCC) application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease as transferor. In order to facilitate this transfer the person named applied to my Department for a PCC Number. In accordance with the Terms and Conditions underpinning the operation of Private Contract Clause applications, the person named retained 1.08 hectares of land in 2015 and was allocated a corresponding number of entitlements. In applying for the PCC number the person named signed a declaration that stated “I understand that no payments from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine will issue to me on foot of this PCC Number” and as such no monies are due or owing to the person named in respect of 2015 Basic Payments Scheme.
Basic Payment Scheme Appeals
Questions (508)
Pat Breen
Question:508. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 202 of 14 April 2016, the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 8 April 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Ground Eligibility inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20% in respect of the Basic Payment Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of this scheme, this resulted in the 2015 payments being based on the found area having been reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area declared. The person named was notified of this decision on 9 November 2015.
The person named has appealed this decision and this review is now being finalised. The person named will be notified of the outcome this week.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
GLAS Applications
Questions (509)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:509. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for Tranche 2 of the GLAS Scheme was received in this case on the dedicated GLAS online system on the 29 November 2015.
The pre-approval validation checks on the application of the person named, found that the Low Input Permanent Pasture (part parcel) and Traditional Hay Meadow (part parcel) actions were not in accordance with scheme specifications and were therefore not approved as part of the application.
The application was ranked as a Tier 3 application, scoring 7.50 which was below the minimum required pass mark of 16.50 and it was therefore unsuccessful for admission to the scheme. A letter issued to the person named on the 10 March 2016 notifying them of this decision and giving an option of appeal to GLAS Section.
In respect of the appeal in this case I wish to correct the answer to PQ 13956/16 and confirm that an appeal has been received from the Agricultural Advisor of the person named and is currently being processed by my Department. The person named will be notified in writing of the outcome of this appeal once a decision has been made.
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Eligibility
Questions (510)
Pat Breen
Question:510. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 14 April 2016, the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the young farmer capital investment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15581/16]
View answerWritten answers
Following a review of the circumstances of this case the application under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme has been processed. It will be sent to the local office shortly for final technical checks prior to approval.
Basic Payment Scheme
Questions (511)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:511. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request the European Union Commissioner, Mr. Phil Hogan, to review the basic payment scheme and greening rules (details supplied). [15589/16]
View answerWritten answers
I and my Department are in regular contact with Commissioner Hogan and his officials in relation to the implementation of the Basic Payment Scheme and the operation of the rules with regard to Greening. 2015 marked the first year of these new direct payment schemes and, as might be expected, Ireland and other Member States have had to deal with many issues related to the interpretation of the regulations and the rules governing the operation of the schemes.
We have submitted a range of proposals to the Commission aimed at more effectively achieving the outcomes envisaged under the schemes, while at the same time maintaining flexibility for Member States to implement these provisions in accordance with their domestic farming circumstances. The Commissioner has responded with a number of simplification initiatives, and has indicated that a further package of measures in relation to Greening will be presented to Member States at the Council of Ministers meeting later this month.
I look forward to examining the content of these latest proposals, and I intend to continue my dialogue with Commissioner Hogan with a view to ensuring that scheme requirements are met in a way that minimises the potential burden for farmers and for Member State administrations.
Herd Number Applications
Questions (512)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:512. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) regarding a herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15594/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for a herd number was received from the person in question in the Regional Veterinary Office on 11th May 2016. An appointment was made with the applicant for an inspection of the lands concerned on the morning of the 25th of May. However, the applicant requested a deferral of one week due to other commitments. The inspection was carried out on the 31st May. The applicant has been informed that a sheep pen needs to be constructed. When the sheep pen is constructed, a re-inspection will take place and then the processing of the application will be finalised.
Aquaculture Licence Applications
Questions (513)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a fishing licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15596/16]
View answerWritten answers
The application for the aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site). All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS. Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the relevant licensing determinations have been made based on applications to hand at the time of the assessment.
The specific application referred by the Deputy was submitted to my Department subsequent to the carrying out of the Appropriate Assessment process for this harbour. Accordingly, it was not possible to assess this application against the designated Conservation Objectives for the harbour.
The optimum method for appropriately assessing applications by individual operators, who were not included in the initial overall assessment procedure, is under active consideration by my Department. The process must comply with best scientific practice and be achieved in a manner which will be acceptable to the national authorities and to the EU Commission.
In the meantime, the assessment procedures agreed with the EU Commission require Appropriate Assessments in respect of aquaculture activities to be carried out by the national authorities and unilateral departure from these arrangements is not possible.
Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this matter as soon as possible.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications
Questions (514)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:514. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the farm payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15654/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced their AEOS contract in 2010. Payment issued in respect of the 2010-2014 scheme years. 2014 year payments issued on 9/12/14 and 30/01/15.
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 all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made in this case as soon as possible.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (515)
Michael Ring
Question:515. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a year 5 payment under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15658/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced their AEOS contract in 2010. Payment issued in respect of 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 all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Payments in this case were approved on 10/06/16 and will issue to the person named shortly.
Semi-State Bodies Data
Questions (516)
Noel Rock
Question:516. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed or who are not employed on a Hay contract. [15675/16]
View answerWritten answers
There are four commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department - Bord na gCon, Coillte, Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish National Stud.
The Chief Executive Officers of two of these Bodies, Bord na gCon and Coillte, were appointed in July 2014 and April 2015 respectively, and are employed in accordance with the payment arrangements for CEOs of Commercial State Bodies introduced in June 2011.
The Chief Executive Officers of Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish National Stud were in situ pre June 2011 and therefore employed under the “Hay Contract ” arrangements.
Departmental Staff
Questions (517)
John McGuinness
Question:517. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if staff in the cattle movement and monitoring system of his Department complained of intimidation, harassment and bullying (details supplied); if professional help was sought by and if he granted it to the complainants; if staff of the cattle movement and monitoring system were precluded from investigative work at export lariages, marts, local authority abattoirs and factories despite what is clearly set out in Circular ER 35-2002; if the staff reporting to a manager was reduced from 21 in 2002 to two in recent times; the current make-up of the new unit; and the number of staff who have joined it from the special investigation unit. [15751/16]
View answerWritten answers
Following the introduction of a new identification system for bovines, which gave rise to significant discrepancies in the early stages, the Department set up a Cattle Movement and Monitoring System (CMMS) Unit in 2002. This initiative was to support the work of the Department’s local District Veterinary Offices in dealing with this increased level of work. Staffing of the CMMS unit at the outset consisted of four teams of 3 Supervisory Agricultural Officers in 4 different locations with 2 District Superintendents having a supervisory role - a total of 14 staff.
While primarily staff at DVOs dealt with identification and tracing matters (among other duties), the CMMS units handled specific and targeted enquiries generally, in particular on repeat offenders and on cases that involved more than one DVO area. The focus of the group was exclusively on cattle identification and tracing matters wherever such was required and necessary - this could have arisen on farm or at other locations.
For operational purposes, the staff assigned to the CMMS Unit were under the supervision of an Area Superintendent of the then Special Investigation Unit (SIU). The CMMS unit staff were not part of the SIU which was a separate Unit.
In 2009 a review of the Local Office Structure within my Department was carried out in order to maximise efficiency. This review led to several significant changes at operational level. As the volume of discrepancies had decreased significantly and there was, following the local office review, sufficient capacity among local office staff to carry out all such work, it was decided to stand down the CMMS Unit and deploy the staff to other areas of my Department where vacancies existed. As a result, the CMMS Unit was disbanded in 2011/2012.
In Sept 2010, my Department met with the staff side’s representatives to discuss the redeployment of the staff that had been assigned to the CMMS unit. At this time there were eleven technical staff remaining in the Unit. Following the announcement of the proposed transfers all those eleven staff in the CMMS Unit, lodged similar individual complaints regarding work issues against line management under the Civil Service Grievance Procedure.
Mediation efforts were made on 2 occasions, in July 2012 and again in October 2014. In the former case, the mediator withdrew from the process as he was of the view that the issues raised were not relevant to the grievance procedure. In the latter case, the mediator made an offer, to bring closure to the issue and allow the parties to move forward. That offer was not accepted.
My Department, as is common with all other Departments, makes available the confidential services of the Employee Assistance Officers to all civil service staff wishing to avail of those services.
My Department is constantly assessing its investigative capabilities as it is crucial that my Department has the capability to undertake detailed investigations in order to ensure the integrity of the food chain, protection of public health, animal health and welfare, and plant health. A new Investigation Division (ID) was set up in 2014. This Division is staffed with members with mixed skills, competencies, experience and backgrounds reflecting the range of work that will be carried out by the Division and where staff work in multi-disciplinary teams, rather than in a hierarchical structure. The current complement of staff in the Investigations Division is 10 – this includes 6 former staff of the Special Investigations Unit – two further staff members are to be assigned shortly.
Animal level discrepancies outstanding greater than 1 month
|
Year |
- |
|
Jan 2007 |
191,203 |
|
Jan 2008 |
86,180 |
|
Jan 2009 |
37,383 |
|
Sept 2010 |
22,148 |
Marine Tourism Promotion
Questions (518)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:518. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to transfer responsibility for marine leisure development to the proposed new Department of rural and regional affairs, given the potential for this industry in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15914/16]
View answerWritten answers
S.I. No. 163/2011 - Marine Tourism (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011 confers on me a limited and narrow role in the development of Marine Leisure generally. However, overall responsibility for Marine Leisure Development transcends a number of Departments. Responsibility for the promotion of cultural heritage rests with the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht while the promotion of tourism rests with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Those Ministers, their Departments and agencies publish policies and operate schemes to provide funding in a structured way. Additionally, local authorities provide funding for community-based maritime projects. The Heritage Council proposes and advises on national heritage policy and interacts with the local authorities through the Heritage Officer programme.
The responsibility for the development, repair and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with the Local Authorities in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
My Department does, however provide funding to assist in the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. There is a Marine Leisure element to this programme.
I am happy to inform the deputy that in 2016 an overall €4.5m package was approved to assist in the development and repair of 90 Local Authority owned harbours and slipways including some marine leisure projects. The package provides funding for the repair of piers damaged by recent storms, in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of other harbour facilities. 18 Marine Leisure projects attracted funding of €927,000 as part of this programme.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (519)
Michael McGrath
Question:519. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the planned remediation works at Haulbowline Island, County Cork ; the cost of the plan to develop a public park and related amenities on the site in 2016 and in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15923/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have Ministerial responsibility for the remediation of Haulbowline Island, and Cork County Council is acting as my agent to deliver the project. The Government has agreed to provide a total of €61m to complete all aspects of the Haulbowline Remediation Project. Total spending by my Department in the period 2012-15 has amounted to €6.77m and funded (in full) the following key preparatory aspects of the remediation project:
- Regularisation of planning and licensing aspects
- Detailed site investigations
- Repair, including partial reconstruction, of key infrastructural access points, Haulbowline Bridges & Bridge access road from mainland
- Detailed quantitative risk assessment (DQRA) study of the former steel factory site
- Project team salary reimbursements to Cork County Council
The resource intensive core remediation phases of the project are due to commence later this year (2016) with all aspects of the project due to be completed by mid 2018. In accordance with Government Decisions taken in May 2015 & January 2016 respectively which broadened the scope of the project and authorised a ‘whole of island’ approach, this project will now deliver the following key aspects
- Remediation of the former waste deposit site (East Tip) including the provision of a public amenity park on the site
- Ground level basic remediation of the former steelworks factory site (South Tip)
- Weather proofing of three former military listed stone buildings
While funding for this project is included in my Department’s estimate the Government Decisions specify that the funding is ring fenced for the remediation of Haulbowline Island and is provided in addition to the funding requirements for my Department’s core activities.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (520)
Timmy Dooley
Question:520. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15931/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced their AEOS contract in 2010. Payment issued in respect of 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 all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made as soon as possible.
Herd Number Applications
Questions (521)
Robert Troy
Question:521. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department facilitated a herd transfer without due scrutiny of its legality (details supplied). [15949/16]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with normal procedures, my Department has registered Herd Number N1031140 in the name of the person who produced the relevant documentation, including Grant of Probate from the High Court in Cavan, dated 19 August 2014, to satisfy my Department’s requirements to qualify for full Keeper and Owner roles. Any dispute regarding the ownership of lands and/or animals is a civil matter and therefore it is not appropriate for my Department to comment any further on the matter.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications
Questions (522)
Pat Breen
Question:522. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the AEOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/16]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 September 2010 and was paid in full 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 be completed before any payment can issue. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on the 21 August 2015. During this inspection non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Species Rich Grassland and the Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance actions which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The stone walls in this case were found to be covered with scrub, bushes and briars. As such, they were not visible and were not accessible for assessment and maintenance.
The person named appealed the penalty for the Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance action to the Regional Inspector who upheld the original decision. The person named was informed of his appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. An appeal was lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office on 5 May 2016 and I understand that an oral hearing of the case is scheduled for 16 June.
The application was processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payments in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, less penalty, were issued on 6 May and the 16 May. Adjustments will be made to these payments in due course if the Appeals Office changes the decision of the Department.
Flood Relief Schemes Applications
Questions (523)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:523. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a payment recently issued to a person (details supplied). [15961/16]
View answerWritten answers
An application for the Emergency Flood Relief Measure was received from the person named on 11th February 2016.
Verification checks of the person’s application were recently completed and payment issued on the basis of those checks to the nominated bank account of the person named. An official from my Department will make contact with the person named to outline the basis of the payment that has issued. In the event that the person named remains unsatisfied with the level of payment officials in my Department will review the matter further.
Harbours and Piers
Questions (524)
Pearse Doherty
Question:524. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the recent introduction of restricted access hours for those requiring the use of a syncrolift operated by his Department at Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal; if this limits access to the device to traditional office hours and only when authorised personnel are present; if he is aware of claims that such restrictions are unworkable given that such a device may only be deployed during times when favourable tidal conditions are present; if he is further aware of the adverse impact which these measures are having on the various industries operating within the region which make use of the device for fleet maintenance; his plans to reconsider these measures and lift these new restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15974/16]
View answerWritten answers
Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
A decision to temporarily limit the lifting times of the syncrolift was reluctantly taken due to a shortage of trained personnel in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. The question of safety is always paramount in our operational decisions and it was with this in mind that this necessary course of action was adopted. Of course emergency cases will be dealt with as a matter of priority.
My Department is pursuing the matter in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding recruitment of additional General Operatives across all six Fishery Harbour Centres. We would hope to expedite the recruitment process as soon as this is progressed.
Once the recruitment process has been completed and sufficient additional staff trained in the operation of the syncrolift, the temporary restrictions will be lifted.