Written Answers Nos. 1498-1525
1498. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek to have included in budget 2017 the €25 million areas of natural constraint scheme disadvantaged areas increase in order that this can be made available to applicants in the 2017 financial year. [24368/16]
View answerTotal allocated funding in respect of Payments under Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme is €1,370m, or €195 million annually. The 2016 Revised Estimates have committed an additional €7m in funding under ANC 2016 to address current scheme budget deficits.
The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the ANC Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018. This commitment is in recognition of the Rural Development Regulation requiring all Member States to designate eligible areas under the ANC Scheme by reference to new biophysical criteria by 2018. The technical work underlying this process is currently underway, and the additional €25m will be integrated into the resultant scheme design process in 2018.
1499. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payments to farmers who have been approved for TAMS, for tranches 1 and 2, and if he will consider extending TAMS to the tillage sector. [24369/16]
View answerThe online TAMS payment claims system is open and all valid payment claims for works carried out in Tranches 1 and 2 of TAMS II are being processed. The new tillage measure under TAMS II will be available in due course.
1500. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under the agricultural environment options scheme for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24385/16]
View answerMy Department has examined approximately 400 cases in which invoices were submitted from one particular supplier to verify and support claims under the non-productive capital investment action of AEOS. It is known that in some cases the invoices submitted were for amounts greater than those actually paid by the participants.
Funding provided under the scheme comes partly from the EU and partly from the National Exchequer. There is a requirement and obligation to ensure that the expenditure claimed by scheme participants reflects the reality of what took place. For that reason my Department wrote to participants requesting alternative proof that the amounts claimed were in fact the amounts paid.
The person named was written to on 10 June 2015 regarding the non-productive capital investment claim that they had submitted. This letter requested the submission of alternative, verifiable, proof to support one of the invoices that was included in the claim for expenditure incurred. A reply to this letter was received on 2 July 2015.
My Department officials carefully examined the application in light of this reply and the information gathered following the investigation of all cases. This examination indicated that the amount claimed had not been satisfactorily verified and that the amounts claimed were greater than the costs incurred for similar products in verified cases and the general price for such products at the time. A letter informing the applicant of this determination, and of the proposed penalty to be imposed was issued on 5 August 2016. This letter also offered the applicant an opportunity to have the determination reviewed within the Department and to submit additional information if they so wished not later than 26 August 2016. A request for a review was not received. A final decision letter issued to the person named on 7 September 2016.
The file will now be processed in the light of this decision and any payments due, following the imposition of the penalties set out in this decision, will be made shortly. The person named also has the option to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office within three months of the date of the decision letter.
1501. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the basic payment scheme by a person (details supplied). [24412/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by sale as transferee. This application was not successful as the transferor had not retained a minimum of 1 hectare or submitted a Basic Payment Scheme application as required under the Terms and Conditions of a Private Contract Clause application. The transferor subsequently submitted a late Basic Payment Scheme application to my Department for consideration, retaining a minimum of 1 hectare. This application has been accepted to allow my Department to proceed with the Private Contract Clause application submitted by the person named. This application is currently being finalised and a letter will issue to the person named shortly.
1502. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 14 July 2016, when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the 2015 green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24488/16]
View answerAn application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 11 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015.
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 successfully completed the GLAS pre-payment validation checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year and the full 2015 entitlement was paid to them on 29 July 2016.
1503. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make payments as soon as possible from the producer organisation funding due to the commercial mushroom producers for the 2015 programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24503/16]
View answerThe Scheme of EU Aid for Producer Organisations in the Fruit and Vegetables Sector is a scheme which is fully funded by the European Union. Under the scheme, recognised producer organisations implement operational programmes approved in advance by my Department. The governing legislation provides that producer organisations can apply for EU aid in the year following implementation of the operational programme. My Department is currently in the process of completing the required checks in respect of the 2015 claim for aid by this particular producer organisation.
It is important to note that in this case, the producer organisation concerned has a number of outstanding issues which it still needs to resolve with relevant documentation to be submitted to my Department before any payment can be made. This position has been brought to the attention of the producer organisation concerned. As soon as all outstanding issues are satisfactorily resolved, my Department will arrange for payment to issue to the producer organisation, shortly thereafter.
1504. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the farming sectors the EU aid package worth €11.1 million is open to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24515/16]
View answerDairy markets at Irish, EU and international level, have been experiencing difficulties for nearly two years, due to a combination of increased global supply, the effects of the Russian ban on the import of EU products and reduced global demand, notably in China regarding dairy products. The Commission has responded to these difficulties through the deployment of support measures provided for under the CAP, at first in an ad-hoc manner and then in the form of two wider packages of measures, in September 2015 and March 2016. Ireland have played a key role in shaping these responses.
Despite the two packages of measures, the market difficulties continued into the middle of 2016.
The Commission presented a further package of measures at the Agri-Fish Council on 18 July. The main component is a fund of €500 million, which is in turn comprised of two elements:
- The first is a €150 million EU-wide measure that will compensate farmers for reducing their milk output in the final quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 (at a rate of 14c/kg). The detailed rules regarding this measure were agreed at EU level on August 25th and the Commission have provided the legal provisions to give effect to this measure in early September 2016. At national level, the scheme is in the process of implementation via cooperatives. The closing date for applications from producers was yesterday, September 15th.
- The second element of the EU July 2016 package is a €350 million fund that will be allocated to Member States in the form of national envelopes, which Member States can use in accordance with their domestic circumstances. Whilst eligibility criteria will apply, Member States are afforded a large degree of flexibility in terms of the measures they might adopt. Ireland’s allocation from the fund will be €11.09 million. Member States will be required to notify the Commission by 1 November 2016 of the measures to be adopted.
It should be clearly noted that the above represent two distinct and separate policy responses at EU level. Availing of one element of the package at national level is not conditional on participation in the other measure. The Voluntary Supply Management Scheme, details of which were published recently on my Department’s website and relayed to cooperatives, through whom the scheme will be administered, is an EU wide scheme. The exceptional adjustment aid represents a national envelope, which stipulates various eligibility criteria that can be utilised as a basis for disbursement. Final decisions on how Ireland will utilise this latter aid element have not yet been reached and the matter is subject to ongoing consideration in consultation with the EU and National stakeholders. Issues such as dealing with liquidity concerns, strengthening co-operation, supporting quality schemes and providing training in financial management all offer possibilities for meaningful and innovative interventions.
1505. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his assessment of the challenges facing the farming sector following the recent report on climate smart agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24516/16]
View answerThere are many challenges facing the sector but there is no doubt that the interconnected challenges of sustainable food production, food and nutrition security and the impacts of climate change rank high in the Government’s priorities.
Ireland faces the significant challenge of reaching the climate change targets assigned by the EU under the current Effort Sharing Decision to 2020, and in the proposed Climate and Energy Framework to 2030. While there are no individual sectoral targets assigned or proposed for the non-emissions trading sector, which includes agriculture, each sector must play its part towards meeting our national targets.
The EU Heads of State recognised in October 2014 that there are limited cost-effective mitigation options available in agriculture; therefore, further reducing emissions will be one of the more significant challenges the sector faces. That said, Irish agriculture emissions are currently 4.2% below 2005 levels and it is independently and internationally recognised that ours is one of the most climate resilient and resource/carbon efficient agri-food production systems in the world. We continue to work with all stakeholders to find even greater efficiencies.
As part of the Whole of Government approach to climate policy, officials from my Department are working closely with other Departments and have engaged extensively with the Commission in order to seek an appropriate and consistent approach to EU climate and agriculture policy.
Under the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, a National Mitigation Plan is being prepared, and my Department is currently developing the mitigation plan for the agriculture sector which will inform future climate policy as we move towards our national ambition of a low-carbon climate resilient economy.
Reports such as that produced by the IIEA and RDS will add to the debate and inform thinking as we seek to establish Ireland as a climate-smart leader internationally. Ireland has played a very prominent role at EU and international levels in the important debate on Climate Smart Agriculture, and this is acknowledged in the report.
1506. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a fishing licence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24521/16]
View answerAs the Deputy has been previously advised the application for the aquaculture licence referred to 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.
1507. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the sentinel herring fish quota that was left at 31 December 2015 (details supplied). [24567/16]
View answer1508. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the second autumn 2015 management period to 31 January 2016 for vessels with a qualifying track record. [24568/16]
View answer1509. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reviewing the 2016 autumn herring fishery management periods to take cognisance of the bad weather that will potentially be experienced in December and allow the 2016 quota be caught within a practical timeframe by the smaller boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24569/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1507 to 1509, inclusive, together.
The Celtic Sea Sentinel Herring Fishery is a small boat, under 17 metres in length, herring fishery operating in an area off the South East Coast known as the Dunmore Box. This is an open access fishery and track record is not considered an appropriate management tool for the small operators in this fishery. The Ministerial policy for Celtic Sea Herring was adopted in 2012 after more than a year of intensive consultations with stakeholders.
The 2015 quota for the Sentinel fishery was 2,212 tonnes, however only 990 tonnes were landed due to bad weather. Because of the low catches in the Sentinel Fishery in 2015 and at the request of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) for increased fishing opportunities for the inshore fleet in 2016, I proposed on an exceptional basis, a once off increase of 500 tonnes for this fishery for 2016. I sought the views of stakeholders. In all instances, the views received fully supported the proposal. I have accordingly transferred 500 tonnes from the Main Fisheries allocation to the Sentinel fishery for 2016.
This increase of 500 tonnes will not involve any change on Ministerial policy on the management of the Celtic Sea Herring fishery as this proposal will only be applicable to 2016. The total allocation to the sentinel fishery for 2016 is now 2,380 tonnes. In January 2016, a 3 week sentinel fishery operated, which recorded landings of 535 tonnes. The available balance for the autumn is 1,845 tonnes.
I asked the Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory Committee (CSHMAC ), which represents the fishing industry, to take cognisance of the impact of the opening dates on the Sentinel fishery in 2015 when making its recommendation to me for this year. The Committee has advised that in its experience of the fishery, the herring stock does not come close enough inshore for the small sentinel vessels to catch it until around early November. The Committee has considered all the issues and I have receive d this week its formal advice; I am currently considering this.
1510. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the traceability of animals and authentication of the various documents relating to all bovines whether in the context of carriage between farms, between farms and marts and between farms and meat processing plants and the adequacy of cross checks at farms, meat plants and cattle marts, with specific reference to the need to ensure the absolute accuracy of the information contained in the relevant documentation. [24575/16]
View answerThe identification and movement of bovines in Ireland is controlled using the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system. AIM is a system covering bovine, ovine, caprine and equine animals. The facilities for bovine animals are the most detailed as there is a requirement to register and identify animals and a comprehensive movement monitoring system is in place that includes clearance against the database prior to movement from holding to holding, entry into the food chain and export.
The AIM system receives movement information from livestock marts, live export points and slaughter plants, licensed knackeries as well as from herd owners in the event of farm to farm movement, ensuring the prompt recording of all movements of cattle to and from these premises. At slaughter plants and live export points, the origin, identity, movements and life history of the animal are checked against the database before it is permitted to enter the food chain or exported. In order to be legally traded all bovines must bear official ear tags, be properly registered and associated with the individual moving or selling the animal(s) on the AIM system.
The system provides assurances to consumers regarding the safety of beef and beef products and I am satisfied that Ireland’s obligations under the relevant EU regulations governing the identification and movement of bovines are fully complied with.
1511. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has sought a meeting or is planning to seek a meeting with the person who has been appointed chief negotiator for Brexit on behalf of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24646/16]
View answerI welcome Michel Barnier’s appointment as the European Commission’s chief negotiator for Brexit, and I look forward to hearing his plans for the conduct of exit negotiations with the UK under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.
My priority for the exit negotiations is to achieve the best possible outcome for farmers and for the Irish agri-food sector as a whole, consistent with the Government’s overall aim of ensuring a strong EU-UK relationship and a well-managed withdrawal. In that regard, engagement with EU partners and the EU institutions remains a high priority. All members of the Government will remain actively engaged with their European counterparts and, as the negotiations get underway, this will include consultation with the Commission’s chief negotiator, as appropriate.
1512. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the current grant aid ceiling for the pigmeat sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24690/16]
View answerThese payments were the final tranche under the package agreed at EU level in September of last year, which allocated €0.5m for the pig sector for Ireland. The Government subsequently matched this funding to provide an overall aid package of €1 m. Applications were invited with a closing date of March 2016. Payments of €3,300 issued to all eligible pig farmers by the end of June 2016.
Eligible beneficiaries for the scheme were defined as current pig herd owners who produced a minimum of 200 pigs in 2015. The minimum level of supply and the requirement to have supplied in 2015 ensured that the payment went to existing pig farmers only and ensured that the payment is directed to those farmers most affected by the price volatility, thus meeting the requirements of the EU Regulations providing the funding.
Additional payments were made to Bord Bia (€82,000) to support activities promoting pork and to the Irish Pig Society (€60,000) to assist them in their work supporting small producers.
The funding for this scheme has now been used in full and no further payments or budget allocations are envisaged.
1513. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review all penalties imposed on farmers during 2010 to 2015 in view of a High Court decision (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24732/16]
View answerThe case the Deputy is referring to is the subject of on-going legal proceedings and therefore I cannot comment on the matter.
1514. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections that were carried out in County Tipperary between 2010 and 2015 in tabular form; the percentage of these inspections that incurred penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24733/16]
View answerThe following table details the number of inspected cases, the number of penalty cases and the percentage of penalty cases, for Cross Compliance (including Cattle & Sheep IDR inspections), Local Authority Nitrates and Eligibility (Ground & Remote Sensing) Inspections carried out in Co Tipperary for each of the years 2010 to 2015.
|
Year |
No. of Inspected cases |
No. of Penalty cases |
% of Penalty Cases |
|
2010 |
796 |
181 |
22.74 |
|
2011 |
1,019 |
210 |
20.61 |
|
2012 |
991 |
273 |
27.55 |
|
2013 |
1,001 |
280 |
27.97 |
|
2014 |
998 |
252 |
25.25 |
|
2015 |
1,025 |
259 |
25.27 |
1515. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Tipperary that were penalised during 2010 to 2015 who appealed the decision; the percentage of the appeals that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24734/16]
View answerThe extensive range of data requested by the Deputy is not readily available. However, officials in my Department will compile the data requested and forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1516. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in his Department; the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/16]
View answer1517. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24750/16]
View answer1518. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by his Department, in tabular form; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expense; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24765/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1516 to 1518, inclusive, together.
The information the Deputy has requested in respect of my Department is set out in the following table.
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Number of official credit card holders in Department |
19 |
21 |
|
Total spent using credit cards |
€180,982.34 |
€109,917.37 |
|
Interest charged on credit card accounts |
Nil |
Nil |
All of the credit cards, with the exception of two, are issued to officials of my Department who undertake official foreign travel on a frequent basis and are used for the payment of hotel bills and other associated costs while on official duty abroad. Very occasionally credit cards are used for vouched expenses set within the limits advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The two credit cards not used for foreign travel are allocated to officials who have responsibilities for the Library Service and Corporate Affairs Divisions, where some purchases in those business areas can only be made by means of a credit card payment.
Neither the Minister of State nor I use an official credit card.
The following control measures are operated by my Department to ensure proper use of all official credit cards:
1. An applications for a credit card must be authorised by the relevant Head of Division, setting out a business case need for the card and approved by the relevant senior Management Board member.
2. All payments using these official credit cards must be fully offset/ reconciled against the relevant foreign travel expense claim.
3. Credit Card holders are obliged to submit associated receipts to their relevant line manager prior to approval of the associated foreign travel claim and subsequently retain these receipts for a period of 7 years for possible audit purposes.
4. A designated officer in my Department carries out regular checks to ensure all credit card transactions for foreign travel are fully recorded and reconciled.
These control measures are reviewed regularly by my Department. In addition, all transactions involving official credit cards issued are subject to an annual audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The use of credit cards by the staff of the state agencies and third party agencies funded by my Department is an operational matter for these agencies themselves.
1519. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an installation aid scheme payment will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24888/16]
View answerThere is no record of an application from the person concerned under the Young Farmers Installation Scheme or under previous versions of the Scheme. This Scheme was discontinued on 14 October 2008. I have no plans to reintroduce a similar Scheme.
1520. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when full payment under the basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24938/16]
View answerThe EU Regulations governing the administration of Basic Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (satellite) inspections, be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes.
The 2015 Basic Payment application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing (satellite) inspection. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area under 3% and under 2 ha. The person named was notified of this decision on 20 November 2015 and of their right to seek a review of the decision. To date no such request has been received.
Payments due under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 15 March 2016 and 29 March 2016 respectively. The final balancing payment due is currently being processed and will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible.
1521. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24941/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a Transfer of Entitlements Application and an application for Review of Entitlements under the Force Majeure measure of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.
Having examined all documentation submitted in connection with the Review under Force Majeure the person named has been deemed successful. Following on from this successful review the Transfer of Entitlements Application has also been accepted and processed. Letters outlining these decisions have issued to the person named. A revised statement of entitlements will issue shortly.
1522. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the detail of payments made or due to a person (details supplied) under his Department's schemes for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24956/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 November 2010. Payment issued for the 2010-2014 Scheme years. An Inspection took place on 16 October 2015. Issues arose relating to the Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance Action which led to a penalty of €1195.41 being imposed on the 2015 Scheme year payment and a recoupment of monies previously paid in relation to this action totalling €1583.65.
Payments were made as follows:
|
Scheme Year |
Advance Payment Amount |
Date Issued |
Balance Payment Amount |
Date Issued |
Penalty/Recoupment |
Total Issued |
|
2010 |
597.95 |
6/3/12 |
199.30 |
9/3/12 |
0 |
797.25 |
|
2011 |
3749.95 |
13/6/12 |
1249.97 |
5/6/12 |
0 |
4999.92 |
|
2012 |
3749.97 |
28/11/12 |
1249.96 |
13/12/12 |
0 |
|
|
2013 |
3749.97 |
27 /11/1 3 |
1249.96 |
3/12/1 3 |
0 |
4999.9 3 |
|
2014 |
3749.9 6 |
17/11/1 4 |
1249.9 7 |
23/12/13 |
0 |
4999.9 3 |
|
2015 |
4249.95 |
29/4/16 |
749.98 |
3/5/16 |
2779.06 |
2220.87 |
The person named has been approved under Tranche 2 of GLAS with a contract start date of 1 January 2016.
The first GLAS payment due to the person named is in respect of the 2016 scheme year and this payment will be processed in the final quarter of this year.
1523. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amounts repaid relating to over-claiming on the AEOS for 2015 by a person (details supplied); if there is an appeals procedure open to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24957/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 September 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 are exiting the scheme and receiving final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years were completed before final payment was processed.
The area of land claimed by the person named was reduced twice during the course of the AEOS contract. This reduction occurred following a review of eligible lands carried out by the Single Payment Scheme. The person named appealed this reduction and the file was reviewed, however the reduction of the Species Rich Grassland option remained.
The difference between the amounts paid and the amounts due were deducted from the 2015 Scheme Year payment. Payments issued as detailed in the following table.
|
Scheme Year |
Advance Payment Amount |
Date Issued |
Balance Payment Amount |
Date Issued |
Penalty/Recoupment |
Total Issued |
|
2010 |
785.00 |
23/11/11 |
261.67 |
24/11/11 |
0 |
1046.67 |
|
2011 |
2381.10 |
15/12/11 |
793.70 |
21/12/11 |
0 |
3174.80 |
|
2012 |
2381.10 |
28/11/13 |
793.70 |
13/12/13 |
0 |
3174.80 |
|
2013 |
2381.10 |
27/11/13 |
793.70 |
23/12/13 |
357.96 |
2816.84 |
|
2014 |
2164.44 |
9/12/14 |
721.48 |
30/1/15 |
838.38 |
2047.54 |
|
2015 |
2215.50 |
5/9/16 |
390.96 |
13/09/16 |
1775.14 |
831.32 |
1524. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be entered into GLAS taking into account they were refused entry to GLAS 2 as his Department did not assign part of their holding as commonage and therefore would have been successful in entering GLAS 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24963/16]
View answerAn application under Tranche 2 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 16 December 2015. Following the Department’s pre-approval validation checks the application was unsuccessful and therefore was not selected for admission to the scheme.
I understand that subsequent to the GLAS pre-approval validation checks the land details of the person named on the Integrated Administration and Control System were reviewed and in light of this the original assessment of this application is currently under review. Once this review has been completed, the person named will be notified of the outcome.
1525. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a decision on their appeal against the refusal to allow their entry to the GLAS due to a herd number having been de-activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24976/16]
View answerAn application under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 26 May 2015. Following the Department’s pre approval validation checks the application was unsuccessful and therefore was not selected for GLAS approval.
I understand that subsequent to the GLAS pre approval validations the data against which checks were carried out was updated and in light of this the original assessment of this application is currently under review. Once this review has been completed, the person named will be notified of the outcome.
