Written Answers Nos. 258-266
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that the benefits of Common Agricultural Policy reform are distributed evenly throughout the agrifood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21642/16]
View answerI remain fully satisfied that the benefits of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy are distributed evenly throughout the agrifood sector. This imperative informed the approach to the negotiations in 2012 and 2013, and they continue to inform the process by which the various elements of CAP reform are now being delivered.
Taking the direct payments system as an example, the Deputy may recall that my predecessor proposed an alternative approach to the redistribution of direct payments than that originally advocated by the European Commission, precisely because the direct payments system needed to be made fairer and more equitable while at the same time ensuring that the level of transfer of payments between farmers was not of a scale that might jeopardise our objectives for the development of the sector.
We now have a system which satisfies these two requirements. Last year’s payments under the Basic Payment and other schemes represented the start of a process that, by 2019, will see a considerable shift in the balance of payments from those previously receiving very high rates per hectare to those previously receiving much lower rates of payment. I believe that this not only makes the direct payments system fairer, but also ensures that it continues to provide support and income stability that will allow farmers to respond to the demands of the market. As such, it also provides a vital tool to help us achieve the objectives outlined in the Food Wise 2025 strategy.
Significant steps have also been taken to encourage the participation of young farmers in agriculture, which is vital in terms of securing the critical role that farm families play in the development of the sector. In addition to receiving a top-up of direct payments, young farmers are also prioritised in the allocation of payment entitlements from the national reserve. These direct payments measures are further complemented by supports under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme where, for example, enhanced support for capital investment by young farmers has been made available under the TAMS schemes.
More generally under Pillar 2 of the CAP, I am focussed on the socio-economic development of our farms and of our rural areas so that all farm families have an opportunity to realise their potential. Schemes for improving sustainability (such as GLAS and the Beef Data and Genomics Programme) and competitiveness (such as TAMS) are complemented by continued strong support for disadvantaged areas (now known as Areas of Natural Constraint). I believe this combination provides a vital range of supports that will allow farm families to continue to benefit from the CAP in an equitable manner while supporting their development over the coming years.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to be satisfied regarding the competitiveness of Irish food exports on the world food market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/16]
View answerAs over 80% of Irish food and drink production is exported, managing and maintaining our international competitiveness is fundamental for the future development of the sector. Ireland ranks quite highly in global competitiveness tables, but is still considered to be less competitive than some of our main competitors on global agrifood export markets such as Netherlands and New Zealand, or Norway and Scotland for seafood products. Exchange rate volatility and business costs, including transport, credit and financial services costs, as well as labour costs, are particularly important for the agrifood sector.
Improving competitiveness is one of the cross-cutting themes of the Food Wise 2025 strategy, which includes detailed actions aimed at improving competitiveness at both the primary and processing levels. Investment in innovation and human capital will be key drivers of competitiveness in the sector, and will enable businesses to adapt to market conditions and adopt best practice in delivering food solutions in global markets. The Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC) engaged with the Chair of the National Competitiveness Council in April, for a useful discussion on the competitiveness challenges facing the sector.
I launched a first year progress report on Food Wise 2025 entitled ‘Steps to Success 2016’ today, along with a detailed report on progress to date on each of the actions in Food Wise. In relation to competitiveness, all of the specific recommendations for 2015 and/or 2016 have been commenced, and in some cases substantial action has been undertaken. My Department and its agencies are consulting closely with industry on planning to address possible trade implications and future issues following the UK referendum. I plan to lead trade missions with companies and the development agencies to diversify and deepen our international export markets and will be visiting China in September.
262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to maintain and apply traceability and records in respect of the non-thoroughbred horse industry, with particular reference to the need to ensure compliance with best practice and husbandry standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21645/16]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for a suite of legislation in the equine area generally, the rules of which apply equally to thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred equine animals. This legislation requires the proper identification of equine animals as well as the maintenance of traceability and ownership issues.
The current rules regarding the identification of equidae are determined by Commission Regulation 262/2015, which has been effective since 1st January 2016, and which has been transposed into national legislation via S.I. 62 of 2016 (as amended).
Under the provisions of Commission Regulation 262/2015, all equine animals are required to be identified with an equine passport by 12 months of age. Such passports must contain a unique identifying number (UELN) in respect of the animal, retained for the lifetime of the animal, and must also record details of the number of the transponder implanted into the neck of the equine by a veterinary practitioner, thus ensuring an unequivocal link between the identification document and the animal. Only those equines identified within the time limits set out in Regulation 262/2015 can be deemed to be eligible to be slaughtered for human consumption. The final decision as to whether an equine can be included in the food chain is determined by an official veterinarian from my Department, present at the factory at the time of slaughter, having examined the data contained in the identification document and on the central database and having undertaken a series of ante and post mortem examinations on the equine.
Article 38(1) of the Regulation 262/2015 specifies the minimum data to be recorded on the central database of each Member State in respect of each equine identified and each record must be updated by approved Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) in that Member State. In addition, the database must be notified, again via an approved PIO, of all studbook equines identified by PIOs outside the country where such animals are ordinarily resident. Similarly, relevant information in respect of all equines introduced into the State must be notified to an appropriate approved PIO in the Member State into which the equine is introduced, for onward notification to the central database.
In addition to this minimum equine identification data, the central database operated and maintained by my Department also records information in relation to Equine Premises Registration (PRN) and equine Transfer of Ownership details. The rules in these regards are determined by national legislation via S.I. No 8 of 2012 and S.I. 189 of 2014 (as amended) respectfully.
In Ireland, national legislation provides that applications for an equine passport must indicate the premises registration number (PRN) of the holding at which the equine will be kept. Applications for PRNs are managed by the Regional Office network of my Department and the PRN of each keeper making an application for an equine passport in respect of an equine in his/her care is recorded on the central database. Similarly, information in relation to the current ownership of equines must be notified to an appropriate PIO for onward notification to the central database. Both of these measures facilitate the traceability of equines, as required.
All equine keepers have responsibility for proper animal welfare under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The adoption of best animal husbandry practices is a matter for individual owners and keepers.
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for a riparian land owner to avail of a farm support payment to facilitate a river crossing to an otherwise inaccessible part of the land holding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/16]
View answerAn official from my Department will be in contact with the Deputy directly to further discuss the matters raised in the question.
264. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of premises forecasted to be covered by the national broadband plan and by commercial high-speed broadband services, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21466/16]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment is not forthcoming.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area, which is the subject of procurement. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. The Department continues to monitor the commercial deployment plans in the BLUE area to ensure that those services are delivered.
The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention.
The map provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county. Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to broadband@dcenr.gov.ie.
The county breakdown for the National Broadband Plan Intervention is set out in the following table, with the percentage of premises to be covered by the Intervention and through commercial investment also listed.
|
County Name |
Total Number of County Townlands* |
Number of Premises Covered by National Broadband Plan Intervention |
% Premises within the NBP Intervention Area |
Number of Premised covered/planned by commercial operators |
% Premises within Commercial Operator’s Area |
|
Carlow |
560 |
10,555 |
39% |
16,851 |
61% |
|
Cavan |
1,979 |
24,197 |
57% |
18,175 |
43% |
|
Clare |
2,225 |
34,501 |
51% |
33,657 |
49% |
|
Cork |
5,336 |
85,972 |
32% |
181,782 |
68% |
|
Donegal |
2,644 |
52,004 |
52% |
48,514 |
48% |
|
Dublin |
888 |
8,295 |
1% |
572,053 |
99% |
|
Galway |
4,086 |
62,540 |
47% |
71,275 |
53% |
|
Kerry |
2,679 |
51,180 |
57% |
38,824 |
43% |
|
Kildare |
1,210 |
20,536 |
23% |
67,791 |
77% |
|
Kilkenny |
1,576 |
22,455 |
47% |
25,317 |
53% |
|
Laois |
1,111 |
16,201 |
42% |
22,560 |
58% |
|
Leitrim |
1,486 |
13,326 |
60% |
8,990 |
40% |
|
Limerick |
1,923 |
33,963 |
35% |
63,698 |
65% |
|
Longford |
886 |
11,691 |
52% |
10,891 |
48% |
|
Louth |
678 |
15,129 |
25% |
45,015 |
75% |
|
Mayo |
3,215 |
50,831 |
60% |
33,336 |
40% |
|
Meath |
1,601 |
31,171 |
38% |
51,384 |
62% |
|
Monaghan |
1,849 |
19,551 |
58% |
13,914 |
42% |
|
Offaly |
1,144 |
17,130 |
47% |
19,587 |
53% |
|
Roscommon |
2,046 |
24,856 |
64% |
14,269 |
36% |
|
Sligo |
1,269 |
18,605 |
47% |
21,281 |
53% |
|
Tipperary |
3,167 |
41,207 |
49% |
43,368 |
51% |
|
Waterford |
1,572 |
17,897 |
29% |
43,098 |
71% |
|
Westmeath |
1,346 |
17,814 |
40% |
26,563 |
60% |
|
Wexford |
2,301 |
39,308 |
49% |
40,202 |
51% |
|
Wicklow |
1,359 |
16,574 |
26% |
46,250 |
74% |
|
Totals: |
50,136 |
757,489 |
32% |
1,578,645 |
68% |
Over 750,000 premises are the focus for the procurement process, which formally commenced in December 2015 with the publication of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire ( 'PQQ') and Project Information Memorandum. On 5 July 2016, I announced that my Department has also identified a further 170,000 premises which are currently market BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map and which are unlikely to get access to services. My Department is currently in the process of identifying these additional premises with a view to including them in the formal procurement process. This will in turn require an adjustment to the figures per county for the BLUE and AMBER areas of the High Speed Broadband Map.
On 5 July I also announced that the Department has now moved to the next stage in the procurement process. In this Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) phase, three qualifying bidders have been invited to meet with the Department to commence the formal dialogue process. The qualifying bidders will shortly be furnished with a draft contract, with detailed specifications for a qualify and affordable high speed broadband network.
Following the ITPD stage, which will take a number of months, the Department will issue final tender documentation to bidders. When final tenders have been submitted a winning bidder(s) will be selected for the contract which will comprise one or two lots as set out in the NBP Intervention Strategy. The Department will then enter into formal contract negotiations with the winning bidder(s), prior to awarding a contract(s). As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and / or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.
265. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the responsibilities he has for An Post; if these include the future of the post office network and the rural network in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21560/16]
View answerAs Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I have overall responsibility for the postal sector, including governance of An Post to ensure the company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the governance functions included in the statutory framework underpinning An Post.
Operational matters and the role of developing commercial strategies for the post office network are a matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I have a statutory function. As shareholder, however, I have a strong concern in relation to the ongoing commercial position of the Company and therefore liaise with the Company in this regard.
It is Government policy that An Post remains a strong, viable company in a position to provide a high quality postal service and maintain a national network of customer focused post offices in the community. The post office network plays an important role in serving the needs of business and domestic customers alike. However, the postal sector is undergoing systemic change, with migration towards electronic communications resulting in core mail volume decline year on year.
In recognition of the changing commercial environment, my predecessor established the Post Office Network Business Development Group last year, the remit of which was to examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network. Mr. Bobby Kerr was appointed as the independent chairman of the group and he brought a depth of knowledge and experience in identifying and developing business opportunities for the post office network.
The final report of the group, which was published in January of this year, sets out 23 recommendations with network renewal, a basic payment account and motor tax being the three key actions. The final report recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
The Programme for Government commits to acting on all of the recommendations of the final report. Responsibility for implementation of the recommendations in the Final Report has transferred to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. In this regard experienced senior officials from my Department, who have knowledge of the Report and its recommendations, have moved to that Department to work on the implementation of the various recommendations.
266. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the breakdown of cost efficiencies for all renewable technologies by megawatt in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21647/16]
View answerThe Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for energy exported to the grid. The REFIT support schemes are underpinned by detailed economic analysis to ensure long-term certainty for investors and overall value for money for consumers. The REFIT schemes assure a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15 year period and cover a range of different renewable energy technologies, including wind energy, biomass and hydro-generation.
REFIT forms a key part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO). The PSO levy is charged to all electricity customers in Ireland to support national policy objectives related to renewable energy, indigenous fuels (peat) and security of energy supply. The PSO levy is determined each year by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Ireland’s REFIT schemes have proved effective in attracting investment into the renewable energy sector. In addition, the REFIT schemes have been found to be a very cost effective tool to support renewables development, as indicated by a report published by the Council of European Energy Regulators in 2015.
Each year my Department publishes a list of renewable energy technologies to be supported and the associated tariff for each. The 2015-2016 list is outlined in the following table.
|
Tariff per MW (€) |
2015/2016 |
|
REFIT 1 |
|
|
Large Wind (above 5MW) |
69.72 |
|
Small wind (equal to or less than 5MW |
72.167 |
|
Hydro |
88.068 |
|
Biomass Landfill Gas |
85.622 |
|
Other Biomass |
88.068 |
|
REFIT 2 |
|
|
Large Wind (above 5MW) |
69.72 |
|
Small Wind (equal to or less than 5MW |
72.167 |
|
Hydro |
88.068 |
|
Biomass Landfill Gas |
85.622 |
|
REFIT 3 |
|
|
Biomass Combustion |
89.314 |
|
Biomass Combustion – Energy Crops |
99.822 |
|
Large Biomass CHP (above 1,500 kW) |
126.091 |
|
Small Biomass CHP (equal to or less than 1,500 kW) |
147.106 |
|
Large Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Non CHP (above 500kW) |
105.076 |
|
Small AD Non CHP (equal to or less than 500kW) |
115.583 |
|
Large AD CHP (above 500kW) |
136.598 |
|
Small AD CHP (equal to or less than 500kW) |
157.613 |
My Department is developing a new support scheme for renewable electricity and an initial consultation took place last year. In-depth economic analysis is now underway to inform the cost of any new scheme. Maintaining overall value for money for consumers, while reflecting the actual investment costs for renewable energy technologies is a key part of this work. Once the detailed economic analysis is complete, there will be a further public consultation on the design of the new scheme. The scheme, which will be subject to Government approval and State Aid clearance from the European Commission is expected to become available in 2017.
