Tuesday, 21 Jun 2016

Written Answers Nos. 482-502

Greyhound Industry

Questions (482)

Mick Wallace

Question:

482. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish the Morris report on greyhound racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Morris Report was commissioned by Bord na gCon and its publication is a matter for that organisation. I understand that Bord na gCon expects to publish the report in the coming weeks.

Afforestation Programme

Questions (483)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

483. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17022/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person in question planted 3.79 hectares of forestry in March 1998 under the Department’s Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme.

In November 2015, a Department Forestry Inspector carried out an inspection and found that part of the forest is very under-stocked, with few trees (less than 2-3% stocking). The area involved amounts to approximately 1.30 hectares. The Department wrote to the applicant on 10th February 2016 informing her of the remedial works required to comply with Forest Service standards under the Scheme. Pending completion of the remedial works, the applicant’s forestry premiums were suspended with effect from 2016.

In light of the information provided by the Deputy, I have asked my officials to carry out a review of this case. I will let the Deputy know the outcome of the review in due course.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Questions (484)

Martin Kenny

Question:

484. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that contracts are being terminated where soil sample analyses are late even by a few days, even though soil sample analysis can take ten days to complete and weather conditions can cause delay under the agri-environment options scheme. [17024/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

AEOS is a voluntary scheme and to remain in the scheme all participants must abide by the terms of their contracts.

Soil Samples are an integral part of AEOS contracts. The Terms and Conditions state that in the case of AEOS 2 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2011, soil samples must be taken between 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2012. This was subsequently extended to 31st March 2013. AEOS 3 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2013 must have taken soil samples between 1st January 2011 and 31st March 2014.

Applicants were then required to submit a declaration to the Department stating that the soil samples were taken within the permitted time frame and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme before payment in respect of the first full contract year would be processed.

Termination of contracts have occurred where either the soil samples were not taken, or where a declaration stating that the soil samples were taken in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme was submitted, but subsequently found to be untrue.

There is an appeals process in place which can be accessed by any person who feels that they have been unfairly treated by my Department.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions

Questions (485)

Martin Kenny

Question:

485. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will apply a period of grace on the deadline for submission of soil analyses under the agri-environment options scheme or under the basic payment scheme. [17025/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

AEOS is a voluntary scheme and to remain in the scheme all participants must abide by the terms of their contract.

Soil samples are an integral part of AEOS contracts. The Terms and Conditions state that in the case of AEOS 2 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2011, soil samples must be taken between 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2012. This was subsequently extended to 31st March 2013. AEOS 3 applicants whose contracts commenced in 2013 must have taken soil samples between 1st January 2011 and 31st March 2014.

I do not envisage making any further changes to the timelines set out above. There is no requirement to undertake soil analysis under the Basic Payments Scheme.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (486)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

486. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment under a specific scheme for 2014 and 2015 to a person (details supplied). [17042/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

While the person named was issued with an application for 2014 BVD Compensation Programme on 17th November 2014 there is no record of the completed application having being returned to my Department. The Terms and Conditions of the programme advised applicants to obtain proof of postage in the form of a Swift post or a Registered post receipt when submitting their applications. As no proof of postage has been submitted payment under 2014 BVD Compensation Programme cannot be made.

Payment in respect of the 2015 BVD Compensation Programme has been processed and payment is expected to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Beef Data Programme

Questions (487)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

487. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will issue payment under a specific scheme to a person (details supplied). [17044/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) 2015 – 2020 on the 5th June 2015.

As the person named has not submitted sufficient survey data 2015 payment has not yet issued. Upon receipt of the outstanding survey data outstanding payment will issue to the person named. An official from my Department has been in contact with the person named to explain the position.

TAMS Applications

Questions (488)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

488. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give full approval under TAMS II for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17066/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applicant in question applied under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. Part approval issued to the applicant on the 17th December 2015 to allow him to go ahead with urgently required equipment. A full approval issued to the applicant on the 13th June 2016.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (489)

Pat Breen

Question:

489. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 14 April 2016, when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under EU Regulatory requirements, only farmers who were entitled to receive a direct payment in 2013 (Single Payment, Grassland Sheep Scheme, Burren Life Scheme, Beef Data Scheme) have an automatic allocation right under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. The European Commission has further stated that applications submitted 25 days after the Single Payment Scheme closing date are deemed inadmissible unless there are force majeure or extenuating circumstances pertaining to the late submission of this application. As the person named submitted his 2013 Single Payment Scheme application form on 28th June 2013, this application is deemed inadmissible and therefore he does not qualify for an automatic allocation right under the new Basic Payment Scheme.

The person named was previously advised that where extenuating circumstances had resulted in the late submission of the 2013 Single Payment application he should submit a Review of Entitlements application form to my Department outlining the extenuating circumstances pertaining to his case. No such request for Review has been received by my Department to date.

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Questions (490)

James Browne

Question:

490. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the land designation assigned to agricultural lands that have a commissioned solar farm installation under the land parcel identification system, and the pro rata availability of land, with a commissioned solar farm, under the basic payment system-greening payment and other area aid schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17072/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Support under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is payable upon activation of an eligible hectare per payment entitlement. In general terms for both BPS and Greening and other area based schemes an eligible hectare is one that is used for an agricultural activity or, where the area is also used for a non-agricultural activity, is predominantly used for such activities. An area is predominantly used for agricultural activity if that activity can be exercised without being significantly hampered by the intensity, nature, duration and timing of the non-agricultural activity.

While cases involving solar panels will be examined on an individual basis, the area covered by the solar panels will be deemed ineligible for the purposes of claiming BPS, in line with advice from the EU Commission. Furthermore, in line with the Department’s current approach on land eligibility, where the area of a parcel covered by solar panels is 70% or greater of the overall parcel, that parcel will be wholly ineligible. If less than 70% is covered by solar panels and the agricultural activity is not hampered by the presence of the solar panels, the area not covered by solar panels may be eligible.

Finally it is important to note that all agricultural land used to claim BPS must be owned/leased, used and managed by the applicant. If the applicant is not the owner of the land, they must have a lease or rental agreement in place with the owner of the land. There must be independent and suitable access for animals and/or machinery for the farming enterprise being conducted. Independent access means access by public or private roadway or by a defined right of way. Access over adjoining landowners land, or over land which is subject to a lease or rental agreement to another person, is not acceptable.

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Questions (491)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

491. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17189/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under EU Regulations governing the Basic Payment Scheme, entitlements may be allocated to farmers from the National Reserve under certain circumstances as defined by the Regulations. Priority access must be given to applicants who meet the definition of ‘young farmer’ or ‘new entrant to farming’. A young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. A new entrant is defined as a farmer who commenced their agricultural activity since 1 January 2013.

The Regulations also set down that an eligible applicant must have submitted an application under the Basic Payment Scheme in the year of application to the National Reserve. Records held by my Department show the person named did not apply to the Basic Payment Scheme for 2015. On this basis the person named does not meet the eligibility criteria under the National Reserve. Records held by my Department also indicate that the person named did not submit an application to the National Reserve in 2015.

As all of the National Reserve Funding was utilised in 2015, there is no funding available to cover the operation of a 2016 National Reserve. From 2017 onwards the National Reserve will be replenished from unused entitlements, as EU Regulations governing the scheme provide that entitlements that are unused for 2 consecutive years are surrendered to the National Reserve. Decisions in relation to the Reserve for 2017 will be considered once the position on potential funding arising from unused entitlements and clawback from the sale of entitlements without land has been established.

Forestry Grants

Questions (492)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

492. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a forestry reinstatement grant to persons (details supplied) whose forestry was damaged in a storm in February 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17247/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Approval 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.

TAMS Applications Data

Questions (493)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

493. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved, part-approved and unapproved applications, and when the part-approved applicants will be paid, under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme II. [17256/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

1,107 part approvals issued in respect of urgently required Dairy Equipment and Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment. 1,182 full approvals have now issued across all of the TAMS II Schemes. The processing is continuing for eligible applications that have not yet received approval. The IT payment claim system is being finalised in order that applicants who have completed their work can submit their claim application online. This will be in place in July with payments to follow.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (494)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

494. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why there has been a delay in payment being issued to a person (details supplied) under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17269/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1st November 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 in all cases as soon as possible.

Aquaculture Licences

Questions (495)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

495. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if aquaculturalists who are outside the remit of Natura 2000 areas and are fully compliant and awaiting his determination on a renewal licence may receive interim licences in circumstances where resources are not in place to provide licences within a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17272/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.

The legislation does not provide for the issue of interim licences.

In the case of operators who are currently in the process of renewing their licences, pending a decision on the renewal, operators may lawfully continue their aquaculture activity under the provisions of Section 19A(4) of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act.

Aquaculture Licences

Questions (496)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

496. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the report entitled The National Economic and Social Council on Sustainable Development of Aquaculture in Ireland, dated June 2016, in relation to the position pertaining to aquaculture business operators who are currently in the process of renewing their licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17273/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The report referred to by the Deputy has been noted by my Department.

Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.

Pending a decision on the renewal of licences, operators may lawfully continue their aquaculture activity under the provisions of Section 19A(4) of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (497)

David Cullinane

Question:

497. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware that the company awarded a public contract for delivering the emergency call answering service is not a living wage employer and that staff are paid less than the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16911/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The contract to operate the Emergency Call Answering Service was awarded to BT Ireland in 2009, following a public procurement process. Under the terms of the Concession contract, BT Ireland and its sub-contractor, Conduit Global, are required to comply with all statutory employment legislation.

Operational issues are a matter for Conduit Global in the first instance and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (498)

Michael Collins

Question:

498. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding fishing. [17160/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Seán Kyne)

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. In that role, IFI provides management advice to my Department regarding the most up-to-date status of species within its brief.

IFI manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 143 salmon rivers has its own genetically unique stock of salmon. IFI is supported in its management of salmon stocks by a statutorily independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC) comprising scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI - Northern Ireland), and other State bodies and third level institutions. The SSC's assessment of each individual stock is carried out every year.

The offshore and inshore salmon and sea trout commercial fisheries were closed by a Government decision from 2007 in order to comply with the EU Habitats Directive.  A Hardship Scheme totalling €30m was established for fishermen and fishing communities.  The scheme was administered by BIM and I am advised that the average payment under the scheme was almost €23,000, with the highest payment at over €195,000. Conditions of the scheme included that nets had to be verifiably decommissioned and those availing of the Scheme would not be entitled to a licence in the future.

Commercial harvest fisheries are currently permitted on individual river stocks which are shown to be meeting their conservation limit. Fisheries in estuaries may also be permitted where the stocks from individual rivers entering the estuaries are each meeting their individual conservation limits.  The current management approach allows Ireland to meet its international and national obligations in terms of salmon conservation and operate sustainable harvest fisheries (commercial and recreational) where this is feasible.

I am advised by IFI that where there is a mix of individual river stocks at sea, from both Irish rivers and the rivers of other countries, it is not possible to disaggregate fish in a mixed stock area and the conservation imperative is to protect vulnerable individual stocks from indiscriminate fishing and avoid exploitation of those stocks within the mix that are below their conservation limit.

Post Office Network

Questions (499, 500)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

499. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of times the post office service hubs working group has met since it was set up earlier in 2016; when pilot projects due to be in place by summer 2016 will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16659/16]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

500. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of times the network renewal working group has met since the general election; if he will publish a report on its progress in time for the July 2016 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16660/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.

The Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently Chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr, was established in January and has met at least once a month. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of branches, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees. An Post and the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) are members of the Group.  Good progress has been made in a collaborative environment. Work is ongoing in the group and will continue for the foreseeable future.

A second group has been established to look at financial services and is making good progress, while a further Group has recently been established to look at the more complicated issues of contract renewal.  The Group looking at developing Post Offices as 'Hubs' has not yet been convened.

Responsibility for implementation of the recommendations in the Final Report will shortly transfer to the Minister for Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht. It has been agreed that experienced senior officials from my Department, who have knowledge of the Report and its recommendations, will move to the Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht to work on the implementation of the various recommendations.

Public Service Obligation Levy Increase

Questions (501)

Hildegarde Naughton

Question:

501. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he is aware of the plan to increase the public service obligation levy by nearly 36% in each of the years 2016 and 2017; if so, the estimated knock-on effect of this on the price of electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16784/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Public Service Obligation (PSO) Levy has been in place since 2001. The PSO levy consists of a set of support schemes designed to facilitate the Government's electricity policy objectives for renewables, indigenous fuels and security of supply. It also supports employment in the renewables industry and in the peat industry.

The PSO has supported the connection of over 2,000 MW of renewable energy to the electricity grid and will continue to support further renewable energy connection so that the 40% target for renewable electricity penetration by 2020 is met.

Recent international studies have shown that Ireland has had one of the lowest per unit supports for renewable energy in the European Union.

The calculation of the level of the PSO is a matter for the Commission on Energy Regulation (CER).  The CER has published a consultation on a proposed levy of €441 million for 2016-2017, equating to less than €7 per month for domestic consumers and representing an annual increase for domestic consumers of €19.32 on last year. The biggest drivers for the proposed levy increase are the lower predicted wholesale market electricity price and increased deployment of renewables.

I am very conscious of the impacts of energy costs on industry and households alike. As the wholesale electricity price is falling, this should be passed onto domestic electricity customers and more than outweigh the proposed levy increase in the current period. In this regard I am pleased to see that some electricity suppliers have recently reduced their prices. Customers can also avail of discounts available, either by contacting their supplier directly or by using the price comparison websites accredited by CER to switch to discounted tariffs. A customer consuming the average amount of electricity could save over €150 by switching suppliers.

Warmer Homes Scheme

Questions (502)

David Cullinane

Question:

502. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of the €5 million pilot scheme under the warmer homes scheme whereby persons who have a medical illness can have their homes upgraded by Waterford City and County Council; if he is aware that the Waterford Energy Bureau is aware of at least 50 private homes that would benefit under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16785/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Warmth and Wellbeing  pilot scheme is an initiative under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The scheme is one of a number of measures outlined in the Strategy which aims to alleviate energy poverty among our most vulnerable citizens. Its objective is to better understand how we can improve health and wellbeing  by making homes warmer and more energy efficient. The scheme has been developed by my Department in close cooperation with the Department of Health and is being operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the HSE.

€20m has been ear-marked by my Department for the scheme in the period 2016 to 2018, of which €4m will be spent this year. As it is a pilot scheme, eligibility is necessarily limited. In 2016, the scheme is targeting people over 55, living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, in the Dublin 12 and Dublin 24 areas, living in either an owner-occupied, local authority or approved housing association house and who are in receipt of or eligible for the Fuel Allowance. The geographical area and clinical criteria for the scheme were identified in close cooperation with the HSE. Once the HSE has approved an application, a range of measures will be carried out by SEAI, including wall and attic insulation, heating system upgrades, installation of heating controls and other measures deemed appropriate to bring the house to a high level of energy efficiency. The number of participants will depend on the condition of the homes of those participating and the resulting cost per home.

While the focus this year is on alleviating the chronic conditions in older people, the aim is to expand the scope of the scheme in 2017 to children with asthma who are also at risk of energy poverty to establish how energy efficiency can also be used to help prevent these conditions developing in the first place.  For the longer term, to determine the scheme's effectiveness, an important part of the scheme is a research and evaluation project which will gather the evidence necessary to inform decisions on a future national roll-out.

I welcome the Deputy's engagement on this important initiative and his understanding of the need to support those at risk of energy poverty in his constituency.  Ongoing engagement with stakeholders beyond the immediate reach of this particular pilot scheme will be a very important part of the process to develop the case for wider action, and I look forward to keeping Deputies informed of progress. While the Warmth & Wellbeing project is limited in scope at present, free energy efficiency upgrades are available to those at risk of energy poverty under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme, which is also run by SEAI.