Written Answers Nos. 188-193
188. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing grant applications under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2; the measures he is putting in place to resolve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16165/16]
View answerAll of the grant applications received in Tranche One of the TAMS II Schemes have undergone administrative checks and over 860 full approvals have issued in addition to the 1,100 part approvals that issued to applicants who needed urgent dairy equipment and Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment.
The remaining eligible applications in Tranche One continue to be processed as speedily as possible. A further 755 applications from Tranche Two are with the local offices for approval and the remaining applications received for Tranche Two are undergoing the administrative checks. Every effort is being made by my Department to ensure that all eligible applicants receive their approvals shortly.
189. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he had at European Union level on the lifting of the Russian ban on certain food imports from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16253/16]
View answerThe adverse effects of the closure of the Russian market arise from the combined impact of the African Swine Fever (ASF)-related ban of February 2014 and the Presidential decree of August 2014, which imposed a ban on agricultural products and foodstuffs from countries that have adopted sanctions against Russia in the context of the situation in Ukraine. These effects are still being keenly felt by farmers. While this is a difficult issue, Ireland has continued to urge the Commission at every opportunity over recent months, both at official and political levels, to intensify its political, technical and diplomatic efforts to unlock the Russian market, particularly in relation to products outside the scope of the Presidential decree, such as pig lards, fats and offal. I have personally raised the issue with Commissioner Hogan and at Council of Ministers.
For its part, the Commission has been working to make progress on this issue. It has been in regular, direct communication with the Russian authorities in relation to the ASF ban, arguing that an EU-wide ban is totally disproportionate given the limited incidence of ASF in a small number of Member States. It has also taken a case against Russia to the WTO’s dispute settlement panel. This recently found broadly in favour of the EU, although an appeal process is expected to follow. In the meantime, the pigmeat sector continues to be supported via the exceptional market support measures agreed by Member States in recent months.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pay the remaining part of a grant to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16254/16]
View answerThe person named was an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme and received grant-aid under the Scheme in respect of certain investments in 2008. However, one invoice was excluded for grant aid purposes as the contractor concerned was unable to provide tax clearance as required under the conditions of the scheme. To date, the required tax clearance has not been received by my Department and I am not therefore in a position to progress the matter further.
The applicant has been advised of the circumstances of each case and the Department’s requirements to enable the remaining grant to be paid.
191. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (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. [16257/16]
View answerAn application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 21 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015. 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.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of qualifying farmers for the €25 million fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16292/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government provided for an allocation of €25 million to the sheep sector. The proposed scheme will be submitted to the European Commission for approval shortly as part of an amendment to the Rural Development Programme. Consultations are ongoing between my Department and the relevant stakeholders. I am conscious that the scheme will have to take into account the different challenges that exist within the sheep sector in Ireland with particular account to be taken of the differences in management between lowland flocks and hill flocks.
In the context of the Rural Development Programme any scheme will have to be drafted in accordance with the parameters allowable under the RDP. I thank the Deputy for his suggestion. All suggestions received from all stakeholders will be considered by my Department in the context of what is allowable under the RDP.
In relation to the status of qualifying farmers for the fund, it is my intention to make this scheme available to as many active sheep farmers as possible to allow this sector to avail of the opportunities identified for it in Food Wise 2025.
193. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied) under the agri-environment options scheme 3; the reason for the delay; why he applied a penalty and the monetary value of the penalty; if he requires the person to be a member of the Connemara Pony Breeders Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16298/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1st May 2013. Payment issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.
The applicant chose Conservation of Genetic Resources option as part of their AEOS contract. This action, which is paid in arrears, requires the applicant to be a member of an approved breed society, and to submit a payment claim on a yearly basis along with copies of monthly records of all registered animals held by the applicant.
Delays in payment occurred when the applicant did not send in the required documentation. The applicant has now confirmed that they do not wish to continue with the Conservation of Genetic Resources action, and payment in respect of the 2014 and 2015 scheme years have now been processed. Full payment due in respect of the 2014 Scheme year and part payment in respect of 2015 has issued, with the remaining 15% of 2015 to follow shortly.
AEOS is a voluntary scheme where applicants agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions on joining the Scheme. The Terms and Conditions of AEOS 3 state that where an action is not delivered a penalty of 10% of a full year’s payment will apply. In the case of the person named this amounts to some €78.00 which will be deducted from Department payments in due course.
