Written Answers Nos. 641-654
641. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a single farm payment in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34602/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic payment/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 14 March 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has now been completed and the results have been finalised. Payments due under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
642. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34616/16]
View answerApplications in respect of the 2014 Single Farm Payment and 2015 Basic Payment Schemes were recently received from the person named together with supporting documentation for review. It has been decided to waive the late penalties in this case and payment in respect of the 2014 Single Farm Payment will issue in the coming days.
In light of the above decision, my Department will now examine this case with a view to establishing entitlements and issuing payment under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.
643. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on reports that the new system for land digitisation replacing Ordnance Survey maps is causing huge irregularities and in some cases errors for engineers carrying out their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34655/16]
View answerThe Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is the Department's spatial database that underpins area based payments to over 125,000 farmers. This system holds records (digitised parcels) for over 1 million land parcels. The system as operated by this Department is not a replacement for Ordnance Survey maps, but works in a complementary fashion. It is designed and operated to ensure payments are made in a timely manner to farmers while also ensuring robust controls are in place to ensure the validity of payments.
Ordnance Survey maps at a scale similar to the LPIS (1:5000) typically show each individual field on the farm as a distinct parcel. The LPIS can have multiple fields in a single parcel and this can vary depending on the specific schemes that farmers apply for. While both datasets are similar they have been designed with different end uses in mind.
While the Department constantly strives to update and improve all data that we use, there is no new system for land digitisation in place.
644. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for SAC farmland in terms of recent cuts to GLAS; the future EU funding for SAC farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34664/16]
View answerThere have not been any cuts to the GLAS scheme. On the contrary I recently launched a third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) with a view to increasing participation levels from the 38,000 farmers approved into the Scheme under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 to at least 50,000 in 2017.
Farmers with designated SAC farmland who apply for GLAS are given priority access to the scheme.
The Burren Farming Programme, a locally led Agri-Environment scheme (LLAES), also supports farmers with SAC land and further LLAES, including additional support for designated Hen Harrier areas, will be rolled out by my Department as part of the current Rural Development Programme.
645. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34903/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic payment/ Areas of Natural Constraint scheme's application on 16 May 2016. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
646. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that a transfer of entitlements is processed as soon as possible for a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that it is impossible for the requested information to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by Inheritance. Additional documentation required to process this application was sought from the Representatives of the deceased on 13th October 2016. Following clarification regarding the additional information, all outstanding issues were resolved to allow for the application to be finalised. Acceptance letters have issued on 11th November 2016 and payment is due to issue in the coming days.
647. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any failures of drug tests were recorded in relation to a race (details supplied); the details of any recorded failures and follow up sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34962/16]
View answerThis administration of greyhound races is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
Under regulations in place for drug test results received during September 2015, adverse findings at races are referred to the Control Committee for consideration and if upheld, the results of those hearings are published. Results for the 2015 Irish Derby are dealt with under this legal framework, and any adverse findings upheld by the Control Committee will be published.
Under new regulations published by Bord na gCon, adverse findings at races from October 2015 onwards will be published prior to consideration by the Control Committee, and the outcome of Control Committee deliberations, whether positive or negative, will also be published. This brings additional transparency to the process.
I consider it to be of critical importance that there is as much transparency as possible around drug testing in greyhound racing and I intend to ensure that this principle is enshrined in the heads of a Greyhound Bill currently being prepared in my department.
648. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has received no BPS payment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34967/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by Change of Registration Details of Herd Number.
As the herd number shown had been changed into joint names after the submission of the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application, it was necessary to have a Declaration of Undertaking form completed in order to allow the transfer application to be processed.
A letter issued with a Declaration of Undertaking form to the person named on the 4th October 2016. To date the completed Declaration of Undertaking from has not been received by my Department. Once the completed form is returned the application will be further processed with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
649. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in view of the plans in Food Harvest 2025 to expand food output, in particular in the dairy sector, and the findings of the recent RDS and IIEA report (details supplied), his Department examined recent scientific advances in the area of methane emissions reductions in the herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34998/16]
View answerThere is a whole of Government approach to climate policy as set out in the National Climate Policy Position. Officials from my Department work very closely with other Departments and in particular, with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment which is the lead in this area.
The IIEA report is a valuable contribution to the research and will help to inform a coherent and cost-effective policy to meet the twin challenges of sustainable food production and climate change in the agriculture and land use sector. The policy is based on an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.
Through the deployment of innovative and efficient practices at farm level, combined with the application of emerging scientific knowledge, Ireland can take the necessary steps towards addressing the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, in the Irish agriculture sector. In the Rural Development Programme, there are some 38,000 farmers taking part in the Green Low carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and 24,000 herds are in the Beef Data Genomics Programme, which is a world-leading initiative to improve the quality of breeding of our beef cattle.
Under the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, a National Mitigation Plan is being prepared. This work is overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub-groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council. These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee and Senior Officials' Group on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, a Technical Research and Modelling Group and a Domestic Climate Finance Group.
Food Wise 2025 – the strategic plan for the sustainable development of agri-food sector over the next decade - provides a framework for the agri sector to engage with the national mitigation plan. Food Wise builds on its predecessor and focuses on the continued growth in the value of Irish agri-food including dairy production. While this is likely to mean some increase in dairy numbers, it is not expected that there will be a significant increase in overall cattle numbers.
There is a strong commitment in Food Wise 2025 to measure and monitor the sustainability credentials of the sector. As part of the implementation of Food Wise, an Environmental Sustainability Committee has been established. This implementation process will include evaluation and assessment of the delivery of sustainability and mitigation actions.
My Department continues to invest in and engage with research initiatives to further assist with the refinement, development and deployment of new and innovative practices to reduce GHGs that are associated with agricultural production.
650. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied). [35115/16]
View answerThe person named is a participant in GLAS tranche 1 and has been paid his 2015 payment. In relation to payment for 2016, the first instalment of the 2016 payment to 38,000 approved GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 farmers are due to start issuing towards the end of the year when all the required application validation checks have been completed.
651. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that have arisen for some applicants under the sheep fencing scheme TAMS II where farmers were told in advance of submitting the application that it was not necessary to have sheep at that time and where applications are now being disallowed on the basis of not having sheep on the farm holding at the time of application; if he will ensure that this unacceptable change in criteria will be reversed without further delay and that all applications that met with the relevant criteria at the time of submitting the applications will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/16]
View answerSheep fencing for sheep farmers was introduced in the third tranche of the TAMS II Scheme.
All applications received for sheep fencing have been reviewed. Proof of a minimum of 40 sheep (ewes or store lambs) will be required to be on the holding before the approval of a payment claim. As required under all TAMS measures, farmers will be required to use the investment for the purposes for which it was intended for a period of five years from the date of payment for the investment.
652. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide all the actions in tiers 1, 2 and 3 that were available in GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that will not be available in GLAS 3, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35177/16]
View answerThe third tranche of GLAS, GLAS 3 opened to applications on 4 November 2016 and will remain open for applications for a six week period. All of the actions that were available for selection under GLAS 2 continue to be available under GLAS 3. A number of technical changes have been made including an update of mapping information which will be of benefit to some applicants.
653. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the new tyre compliance scheme which will replace the TRACS system in 2017; the new charge per tyre; if he will address the concerns of retailers here that this will drive business north of the Border and not allow retailers here to be competitive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34449/16]
View answerAs part of a wider review of producer responsibility compliance schemes in Ireland, a specific module examined the structural and environmental effectiveness of all aspects of the system for managing waste tyres. The report, published for consultation in November 2013 and in final form in April 2014, found:
- a non-compliance rate with the Tyre Regulations of 46%,
- a lack of consistent and accurate data,
- that the current system was not tracking data flows well, and
- that between 25% and 50% of waste tyres were not accounted for.
The report recommended, inter alia, that the scope of the existing schemes should be changed to improve the environmentally sound management of waste tyres.
Following extensive discussions with the tyre industry, the then Minister announced, in January 2015, his decision to put in place new structures for tyres and waste tyres in Ireland. The new compliance scheme will include the following features among others:
- A single mandatory compliance scheme for end–of-life tyres
- The removal of the option for tyre operators to self-comply with their regulatory obligations
- Formalisation of an existing environmental charge into a visible environmental management charge (vEMC) to ensure that charges that are already being paid by customers are used for their intended purpose.
Repak ELT have been appointed to operate the new compliance scheme to replace the existing TRACS.
The new structures will be underpinned by new Regulations which I expect to have in place early in 2017. The regulations will set a vEMC for various tyre categories. An indicative vMC for a car tyre of €2.80 has already been announced. The vEMC for other tyre categories, including agricultural tyres, have yet to be determined. When setting these fees, I will take advice from the Tyres Working Group on which all tyre stakeholders are represented.
This vEMC is not a new charge but rather the formalisation of an existing charge that consumers already pay to their tyre retailer whenever they buy a new tyre. This will be more transparent for a consumer than the current arrangement. The charge will be a front loaded charge which will be applied by any producer placing a tyre on the market in Ireland. The charge will be passed down the supply chain and ultimately paid by the consumer.
I am very conscious of concerns in relation to market distortion. In this regard, distance sellers, i.e. those placing tyres on the Irish market but located outside the State, will have the same obligations as any operator based in Ireland. In addition tyres will be a priority area for enforcement in 2017 for the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and I will be asking them to give particular attention to the border regions.
654. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the report on the progress and meaningful discussion which was to take place with the interdepartmental group and the groups representing persons with disabilities in respect of bin waivers-part waivers in advance of the pay by weight bin charges which come into effect on 1 July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35170/16]
View answerAn interdepartmental working group, established in line with national waste policy to report to Government with options to minimise the impact of waste charges on low income households, submitted two reports to the previous Government. It should be noted that there has never been a national waiver scheme for household waste collection. During the period in which local authorities were directly involved in the collection of household waste, a minority of individual Councils offered different levels of discount to selected households, based on different qualification criteria. As local authorities exited the waste collection market, some required the private operators which took on the Councils’ customers to provide a level of discount for existing waiver customers only, and even then, for only a limited time. The vast majority of such contractual commitments for private operators to provide a waiver have now expired. In that context, the number of households in receipt of waiver discounts is likely to decline over time, especially as some householders were able to take advantage of special reduced offers elsewhere which actually undercut the waiver price. However, selected private operators still offer some level of discount to former waiver customers on a voluntary basis. With the exception of one or two municipal districts, local authorities no longer collect waste. Waste collection is now serviced by a diverse range of private operators, where the fees charged are a matter between the service provider and customer and the range of services and fees offered vary amongst providers and across the country. In that regard, it became increasingly apparent that a national waiver scheme could not be imposed in the context of an open market for waste collection.
A mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure for household waste collection was due to be introduced in mid-2016. The waste management industry had committed, on a voluntary basis, to providing a full weight allowance for the disposal of non-infancy incontinency wear to patients supplied with such products by the HSE, if a mandatory pay-by-weight per kilogramme charging system was introduced for household waste collection. However, on 30 June 2016, regulations were signed to remove the requirement for mandatory pay-by-weight charging structure. Notwithstanding the above, as previously stated, a review of the pricing structures that households are charged for the collection of waste, with a focus on encouraging households to prevent, separate and recycle waste and to reduce residual waste going to landfills, is due to be completed by July next year. The issue of household non-infancy incontinency waste will be considered as part of this review.
