Tuesday, 4 Oct 2016

Written Answers Nos. 523-546

Departmental Programmes

Questions (523)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

523. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reflect and deliver on a public duty (details supplied) in his Department's statement of strategy due to be published in October 2016; the way in which his Department is engaging with the programme for a partnership Government commitment to equality and gender proofing in the departmental and budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28315/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), established by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, has a statutory remit to protect and promote human rights and equality in the State. The Commission has been tasked with reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of law, policy, and practice relating to protection of human rights and equality and with making recommendations to Government on measures to strengthen, protect and uphold human rights and equality.

My Department, which is an employer, policy maker and service provider, is working closely with the Commission in relation to these matters and has recently appointed a senior officer to liaise with the Commission with a view to ensuring that we continue to fulfil our public sector duty. In this regard my Department's Statement of Strategy which is currently being developed, will include a commitment to develop and monitor policies and practices relevant to its functions, to ensure the rights and equality of our staff and the people we serve continue to be paramount.  

While I am satisfied that, as a Department, we strive to operate to the highest possible standard in carrying out our public service duty, we will over the coming number of months, and in close consultation with the IHREC, be undertaking an assessment of human rights and equality issues that are relevant to our functions, the services we provide and regulate and to employees of the Department.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to developing a process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights.  My Department will have full regard to this commitment  in the preparation and implementation of policy and budgetary proposals. There are of course currently a number of procedures in place which partially address this issue including the requirement that all Memorandums for Decision submitted to Government set out the estimated impacts of the proposal across a range of areas including gender, social inclusion and people with disabilities.

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Questions (524)

Pat Breen

Question:

524. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28330/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department received documentation regarding this transfer on 29th of September, 2016.  

Procedures require that testamentary documents be supplied from the person named to my Department. A representative from my Department has been in touch with the person named directly to advise on the correct procedures in an attempt to expedite this case as soon as possible.

Rural Development Programme Projects

Questions (525)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

525. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the introduction of a sheep payment; the proposed requirements to receive the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28343/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The new Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. The inclusion of this provision in the programme for Government reflects a commitment by the Government to ensuring the continued viability of the sheep sector in Ireland.

The sheep sector generally makes an important contribution to the Agri-Food economy generating an output value of €320 million and exporting in excess of €230 million in 2015. Furthermore the sector also makes a vital contribution to the economy supporting 34,000 farm families directly in addition to providing several thousand jobs indirectly in rural areas also.

My Department has engaged in extensive consultation with farm organisations and with officials of the European Commission to discuss the proposed new scheme in the context of the specific requirements of the Rural Development Programme.

As a result of these consultations my Department has submitted as part of its proposed second amendment to Ireland's Rural Development Programme an animal welfare scheme for the sheep sector. This proposed amendment is currently with the European Commission for examination and my Department awaits the outcome of this examination which may require further detailed discussions with the European Commission. 

I intend to ensure that the scheme will be made available to as many sheep farmers as possible and that it will provide for participation by both hill and lowland flock owners.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (526)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

526. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the beef data and genomics programme for new participants with additional funding for suckler cow support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28344/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is a part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and provides Irish suckler farmers with some €300 million of funding over the next 6 years. The BDGP builds on the large investment in data recording and genomics which have been made in recent years and will continue to drive further developments and improvements in this area.

The BDGP has been agreed with the European Commission as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Plan (2014-2020) alongside a number of other schemes. I am conscious of the positive effect that the programme will have on the Irish suckler herd. It will help to improve productivity, profitability and carbon efficiency in the Irish suckler herd. I firmly believe that the scheme will deliver long-term and cumulative positive effects for both suckler farmers participating in the scheme, and farmers who buy the progeny of suckler cows for further finishing. It is a significant contributor to Ireland’s reputation as a producer of sustainable beef.

In relation to any possible reopening of the scheme, this will have to be considered in the context of an assessment of budgetary priorities, the operation of the Rural Development Programme and the potential impact both upon the scheme itself and other schemes. However, it will not be possible to allocate additional resources to the scheme, having regard to the very large financial commitment already made to the BDGP in the Rural Development Programme, and the significant budgetary pressures across the agri food sector and it will have to be considered in the context of existing budgetary resources.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Funding

Questions (527)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

527. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be increased for areas of the natural constraints scheme to reverse cuts in previous budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28345/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Total 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 for the ANC scheme in 2016 .

The Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the ANC Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018.  In parallel, the Rural Development Regulation requires 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.

TAMS Funding

Questions (528)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

528. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if unspent TAMS II funding from 2016 will be carried forward to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28346/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The allocation for TAMS II over the course of the Rural Development Programme from 2014 to 2020 is €395m to allow for investments across the six existing TAMS II measures  and the proposed new Tillage measure which will be coming on stream shortly.

The TAMS funding for 2017 will be decided shortly by the Government as part of the annual budget process.

As of the 3rd October 2016 over 4,000 approvals have issued for TAMS II and the payment claims that are received for work completed are being processed by my Department as soon as they are submitted.

Herd Number Applications

Questions (529)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) who has applied for the return of a herd number. [28402/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application to reactivate the above herdnumber was received in my Department on the 14th of September 2016. The holding is currently awaiting inspection by technical staff in my Department and a decision on the application will be taken following this inspection.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (530)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

530. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce new schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28440/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware that there are ongoing difficulties being experienced by those in the farming community, not least our tillage farmers. I am convening a meeting of tillage sector stakeholders on Wednesday 5 October to consider challenges and emerging opportunities in the sector.  I have indicated that as well as the challenges posed by current weather and price related difficulties for growers, significant changes will take place in the international trading environment in the coming months and years.  

In relation to the BPS and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payment is scheduled for 17 October next, the earliest possible date by which payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations, and that the necessary preparations are being made to maximise the number of payments on that date. In the light of difficulties on farms this year, advance payment will be at 70% which will significantly support farmers with cashflow problems. The second instalment of payments will commence on 1 December. My Department is prioritising the processing of all payments including Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, GLAS and AEOS which are worth over €1.5 billion annually.

Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme payments is on schedule and payments commenced during the third week in September with almost 65,000 applicants being paid a total of €140.9 million. This was an increase on the 57,000 applicants paid €117 million in the first phase in 2015. It is expected that approx 96,500 will fulfil the scheme eligibility requirements. To date in excess 77,500 applicants have been paid a total of €167 million. Payments are continuing on a twice weekly basis to ensure prompt payments to applicants as they fulfil the scheme stocking requirements.

The Farm Assist Programme is under the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. It is a means-tested payment for low income farmers. Any issues regarding the changing of the qualifying criteria for this programme should be addressed to the Department of Social Protection.

In regard to the national fodder position, my information is that sufficient quantities of both hay and silage are available nationally, for the forthcoming winter feeding period. We will continue to monitor the situation on the ground over the Winter months.

Fisheries Protection

Questions (531)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

531. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which will be taken to ensure that events which occurred in 2015 arising from the activities of supertrawlers fishing off the coast of Donegal, which resulted in the destruction of hundreds of locally owned fishing traps and pots, will not be repeated or happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28442/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 (the CFP basic regulation), changes to fisheries policy involving access or restriction to fishing opportunities or fishing areas come within the sole competency of the EU.  Only the EU Commission may propose changes and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council.  Member States, in consultation with the Commission, Member States affected and stakeholders are permitted to introduce non-discriminatory measures for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the 12 mile zone subject to compliance with policy and procedures set down in CFP Regulation.  However, access to the 12 mile zone is set down in the CFP Regulation and may not be changed by an individual Member State.

All foreign fishing vessels, on the north-west coast, other than Northern Ireland vessels in respect of the 6 mile fishing zone, are precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile fishing zone, other than for transit purposes and all foreign pelagic fishing vessels, including pelagic factory vessels, are also precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile fishing zone on the west coast.  In addition, Irish fishing vessels equal to or greater than 36.58 m (120 ft) in length, are precluded from Ireland’s 12 mile zone.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (532)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

532. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2016 area of natural constraints scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28444/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/ Areas of Natural Constraint scheme's application on 11 May 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (533)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

533. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28445/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment /Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme's application on 21 April 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (534)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an area of natural constraints scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28469/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2016. The application has been processed and payment under the scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 22 September 2016.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (535)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

535. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who availed of the historical farm rescue package scheme of 1982 to 1985; the average payment through the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28486/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Due to the time lag between the operation of this scheme and the current time any documentation in relation to the numbers of farmers and the average payment for this scheme is no longer within current filing systems/arrangements in the Department and therefore it will not be possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy.

During the late 1970's and 1980's Exchange rate Guarantee schemes and Interest Subsidy Schemes were administered through the main banks for different categories of farm loans. These schemes were introduced in response to very high interest rates and exchange rate volatility at that time.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (536, 537)

Clare Daly

Question:

536. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has to date exercised his powers under section 29A of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 to demand that Horse Racing Ireland provides a full account of the way the reappointment of its chief executive officer complies with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies. [28503/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

537. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has to date exercised his powers under section 29A of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 to give a direction to Horse Racing Ireland on its compliance with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies or any other code or policy issued by the Government. [28504/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.

The reappointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the Board, subject to the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The necessary Ministerial consents were provided based on the case made. I have already indicated that it would have been better if the Board had a full discussion on the case made to my Department before its submission.

Nonetheless it was always the case that only the Board could make such an appointment.

I understand that the Board has confirmed that the Chairman's actions and intentions reflected its views regarding the CEO's contract and I understand the Board approved the re-appointment on 21st July for a period of five years.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (538)

Clare Daly

Question:

538. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department had any contact from any member of the board of Horse Racing Ireland prior to 13 July 2016 noting that support for the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland was not unanimous within the board. [28505/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware that Minister of State Doyle had contact from a board member prior to the date in question and I personally had contact from a Board member separately on the matter.

I note nonetheless that under the relevant legislation, the appointment of a CEO can only be effected by the board.

I note also that the Board has issued a statement indicating its support for the reappointment.

State Bodies

Questions (539)

Clare Daly

Question:

539. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify his response to Parliamentary Question No. 686 of 12 July 2016, in which he stated (details supplied), in view of the fact that on the same day the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform stated in Parliamentary Question No. 449 of 12 July 2016 that he had sanctioned the reappointment of the chief executive officer based on the strength of the business case presented to him, which was strongly supported by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. [28506/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The matter referred to by the Deputy was still under consideration in my Department as stated in the PQ of 12 July 2016.

My Department had submitted a case to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the reappointment of the CEO of HRI on 15th January 2016, based on a case made by the Chairman of HRI, and with the approval of the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

On 21st June 2016, my Department received a letter from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform conveying sanction for the reappointment.

Sanction had not been conveyed to HRI at that point, however, as having taken up office, I wished to have time to consider the matter further.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (540)

Clare Daly

Question:

540. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which his Department requested permission from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to extend the contract of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland by a further five years. [28507/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Following approval by my predecessor, the Department requested consent, on 15 January 2016, from the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform for Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to reappoint the CEO. 

When I took office I considered the matter further as set out in other Parliamentary Question answers.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (541)

Clare Daly

Question:

541. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions between his Department and the Department of Finance regarding the latter's stated position in 2011 that the contract governing the second term of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland should preclude that person from retaining their position when that second term came to an end. [28508/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Decisions were made in 2011 in relation to the previous contract for the CEO of HRI. In 2015 a new submission was made by the Chairman of HRI seeking an exceptional reappointment of the CEO based on a number of business imperatives. Following approval by my predecessor, my Department requested consent from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on 15 January 2016 and that consent was provided on 24 June 2016.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (542)

Clare Daly

Question:

542. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify his statement at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 27 September 2016 regarding amendments to the pay and entitlements of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland; if he will clarify specifically the amendment of pay and entitlements which took place and when; if those amendments did not encompass basic pay and pension entitlements; if the chief executive officer's pay up to the date that they finished their second term was €191,000 plus €56,000 in pension entitlements; and the details of all pay and entitlements contained in the chief executive officer's new contract. [28509/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The appointment  of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the Board of HRI, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers.  Under the Irish Horseracing Industry Act, 1994 Section 3: The chief executive shall hold office on and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration) as may be approved of by the Authority with the consent of the Minister and Minister for Finance.

In this instance, the consents provided permitted the Board to reappoint the CEO on an exceptional basis, on the basis of a basic salary of €190,773 as per the previous contract, but required the removal of references to the payment of bonus and performance related pay awards, the payment of a car allowance and the payment of directors fees.  I understand the CEO had waived his right to a performance related bonus and had not received one since 2010, nor did he receive any director's fees. The letter conveying these adjustments to the contract was issued on 25th July 2016.

Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Questions (543)

Clare Daly

Question:

543. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department did not insist upon an open competition to fill the role of chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland when the incumbent's second term in the role came to an end. [28510/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the board of Horse Racing Ireland, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers.

In the case of Horse Racing Ireland, the Chairman of HRI made a case for an exceptional extension to the term of appointment of the CEO, based on a number of business imperatives. These included the implementation of a five year plan for the industry, HRI's role in the development of the Curragh, and the CEO's occupation of influential positions in a number of international bodies.

In this instance both I and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform accepted the case and provided the necessary consents for an exceptional re-appointment of the CEO by the Board for a period of 5 years following expiry of his contract on 24 September 2016.

Animal Identification Schemes

Questions (544)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

544. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an application made by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of a certificate of compliance for the movement of cattle from a single holding to or from another holding for feeding purposes was not generated until 3 June 2015, yet the person can provide a certificate of posting for 28 May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28516/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The legislation governing the movement of bovines requires the source herd who intends to move bovines in a farm to farm transaction to make application for a compliance certificate in advance of the movement off the holding.  The onus is then on the destination herd to confirm the movement. The person named did not make an application to move bovines off his holding in either May or June 2015.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (545)

Robert Troy

Question:

545. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a headage payment will be made to a person (details supplied) without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2016. The application has been processed and payment under the scheme issued on 20 September directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Animal Welfare

Questions (546, 548, 550)

Clare Daly

Question:

546. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds which were homed by the Irish Greyhound Board in 2015; the arrangements which were made for retired racing greyhounds that were not homed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28555/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

548. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money the Irish Greyhound Board expended on retired greyhounds which were finished racing in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28557/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

550. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish Coursing Club has a homing scheme for retired coursing dogs; the number of dogs the Irish Coursing Club rehomed in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28559/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 548 and 550 together.

Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.

Bord na gCon has informed me that it contributed the sum of €84,145 to The Irish Greyhound Trust Fund in 2015 and in addition to this provided the sum of €13,000 towards the neutering/spaying costs of greyhounds which were rehomed through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust Rehoming Scheme in 2015.

A total of 444 retired greyhounds were rehomed through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust Rehoming Scheme in 2015. The Scheme also provides financial or other supports to a number of private rehoming organisations in 2015 and these organisations were responsible for finding homes for a further 325 retired greyhounds last year.

The Irish Coursing Club does not operate a rehoming scheme for retired coursing greyhounds. There is no distinction made between racing and coursing greyhounds when they are being rehomed.