Written Answers Nos. 535-558
535. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of a Scottish derogation payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39404/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under the ’Scottish Derogation’ measure of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.
Under EU Regulations governing the Scottish Derogation measure of the Basic Payment scheme, processing of applications involves administrative checks to verify that the applicant had been actively farming in the Beef, Dairying, Sheep or Arable sectors on 15 May 2013.
The administrative checks subsequently found that the person named did not have evidence of agricultural production on 15 May 2013 but did have evidence of production later in 2013. Consequently, the application under the Scottish Derogation measure of the Basic Payment Scheme was deemed to be ineligible. The person named was notified of this decision in writing and advised of the option to appeal this decision. To date no appeal has been received by my Department.
536. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive a single farm payment in view of the fact there has been no payment to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39437/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic payment/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme's application on 13 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.
537. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of an appeal for a person (details supplied). [39444/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2015 National Reserve ‘Old Young Farmer’ category to my Department. This application was not successful as the person named was deemed to have commenced his agricultural activity prior to the eligible period of 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009 as required under the ‘Old Young Farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve.
My Department’s records show that the person named was registered as a herd owner since 2007. He was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
The person named subsequently submitted an appeal. This appeal was considered on the basis of the information provided by the person named and the records held by my Department. The outcome of the appeal was that the original decision was upheld. The person named was notified of this decision in writing and was offered the opportunity of a further appeal to the Basic Payment Scheme Appeals Committee. The person named has submitted this appeal to the Appeals Committee. The Agricultural Appeals Office is currently dealing with this appeal and the person named will be notified in writing of the outcome of his appeal once completed.
538. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the statutory basis that provides for the imposition of mooring fees and the confiscation and retention of boats by the appropriate harbour authorities in respect of cases where such fees have not been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39450/16]
View answerThe Fishery Harbour Centres Act, 1968 (as amended) vests the responsibility for the six Fishery Harbour Centres at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl in me as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In respect of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, I have, under Section 4 of the Act, the power to fix, by order, rates, tolls and other charges for the use of available facilities (including the harbour) and services in the Fishery Harbour Centres. The Statutory Instrument currently applicable is the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012. The imposition of fees for swing moorings are included in the Order at Charge 9 of Schedule 2. The Order provides for the payment and collection of dues but also for the penalties and remedies for non-payment. These measures include distress and sale of ships, boats and goods in respect of which the rate or charge is payable.
Section 4 of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 also confers powers on me to make such bye-laws as I deem necessary or desirable for the management, control, operation and development of the Fishery Harbour Centres. Section 85 of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Management, Control, Operation and Development) Bye Laws 1979 provide that the Harbour Master may detain a vessel in a port until he is satisfied that all monies due in respect of the vessel and the cargo have been paid or sufficient security has been given.
My Department is not responsible for charges levied for the use of facilities and services at other harbours throughout the country.
539. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his plans to introduce a compensation scheme for costal grain growers following the problems with the 2016 harvest (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39455/16]
View answerI fully acknowledge and accept that difficulties have been experienced by the farming community, not least by our tillage farmers. This sector is a very important area in the agricultural economy but it has been a challenging year both in terms of market returns and variable weather conditions experienced during the harvest.
While there is no specific funding available for losses due to poor weather conditions I wish to confirm that at Agriculture Council I have repeatedly called for the situation on agricultural markets to be kept under ongoing review, and have said that we should be ready to deploy support measures if the circumstances require it. At the October Council Minister of State Doyle followed this up with a specific request that market support efforts be extended to the cereals sector.
However, I know the Deputy will be aware that I recently chaired a meeting with the main stakeholders in the tillage sector. As I said at the time and I wish to repeat here, again this meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to express their views and concerns on the challenges they are facing but equally to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.
At that meeting and in direct response to the difficulties being experienced, I outlined that one of my chief priorities was to provide more low-cost flexible finance and in this regard I was happy to announce on Budget Day, my plans for a €150 million Agri Cash Flow Loan Support Scheme. This has been developed in conjunction with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), by leveraging EU and Exchequer funding totalling €25 m from my Department, to deliver a total loan fund of €150 million, which will support highly flexible loans for up to six years, for amounts up to €150,000. The interest rate applying is 2.95% and the product will be available to livestock, tillage and horticulture farmers. Loans to tillage and horticulture farmers will be provided in line with the EU’s agriculture State Aid de minimis requirements.
This is a cash flow support facility, to improve the working capital position of farmers and other viable primary agriculture SMEs. The loans will be unsecured and are primarily to pay down expensive forms of credit such as merchant credit and other short-term financing facilities such as overdrafts. I recently welcomed the SBCI “Open Call” for financial intermediaries to deliver the Scheme. The SBCI is targeting that the loans will be available in the market by the end of January 2017. I am encouraging farmers to consider their cash flow and borrowings situation now and, if appropriate to their circumstances, to be prepared to apply for these loans when they become available.
The loan scheme is part of a “three pillar strategy” in response to income volatility that I announced in the recent Budget, along with additional tax measures and farm payments. Among the tax measures, I agreed with my colleague the Minister for Finance, for an adjustment to the current ‘Income Averaging’ system, which will allow for an opt-out in an exceptional year. This will be available immediately, for this year’s tax liability, and this will go some way towards addressing current cash flow concerns.
As an additional support to cash flow on farms, including Tillage farms, I also confirmed that advance payments would be made this year in respect of the Basic Payment and Greening Payment schemes. Advance payments commenced on the 17th October last, the earliest possible date by which payments can begin under the governing EU Regulations, with the addition of balancing payments from the 1st December.
To date €1,141 billion has been paid out to 121,508 farmers and payments are ongoing. I was also pleased to note that the processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints payment scheme is on schedule and payments have already commenced during the third week in September. It is expected that approx 96,500 will fulfil the scheme eligibility requirements. My Department will also be opening a measure under the TAM Scheme specifically for the Tillage Sector.
I also stressed at the recent Tillage stakeholders meeting and I want to restate my view that in this changing landscape we need to take a fresh look at our tillage industry to ensure that it is best positioned to withstand possible future threats and to avail of the new opportunities which may present themselves.
540. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department per annum since March 2011, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39463/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/aboutus/ministers/photographycosts. This information is regularly updated by my Department. Wherever possible, the Department avails of internal photography skills.
541. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out, in tabular form, details of the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011 per annum; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [39479/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following tables. Some of the reports outlined are mandatory in the context of EU obligations.
2011: March- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
University College Dublin |
Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland 2011 - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
10 January 2012 |
4,500 |
|
University College Dublin |
EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dude Programme in Ireland – A review of evaluations completed to date - Commission Regulation 288 of 2009 |
6 February 2012 |
6,388 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2010 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2010 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2010 |
May 2011 January 2012
Sept 2011 |
12,792 |
|
Rockwell Automation |
Hazard and Operability Study |
13 December 2011 |
3,740 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
Interm Evaluation, of 2007-2013 SDP |
3 June 2011 |
39,325 |
|
Brendan Riordan, Research Economist |
The Net Contribution of the Agri-Food Sector to the Inflow of Funds into Ireland: a New Estimate |
23 July 2012 |
6,000 |
|
Accenture |
An analysis of an internal review of procurement. |
Not for external publication. |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Accenture |
An examination of the opportunities and capacity for further shared services between the Department and its non-commercial state agencies. |
Not for external publication. |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Accenture |
A review of the Department’s role in regulating meat plants |
Not for external publication. |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
KPMG |
An examination of the administration of the Single Payment Scheme. |
13 October 2011 |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Fitzmaurice Tingle Ltd. |
Refrigeration Consultancy on 6 Fishery Harbour Centre Sites |
Not for external Publication |
3,505 |
|
Brian Scott |
Port Security Assessment- Castleownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
Not for external Publication |
4,680 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
To examine recommendations of the Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities as applicable to this Department to value the assets referred to and to make a series of recommendations. For internal Departmental information |
Not for external publication |
Work done on a pro-bono basis |
|
Michael Dowling |
Beef 2020 Activation Group: Growing the Beef Sector |
June 2011 – for input into FH 2020 Committee |
10,000 |
|
Stiofan Nutty |
Report on the Development of Ireland’s Organic Industry and an Organic and an Irish Organic Trade Board. |
For internal Departmental information Not for external publication |
29,040 |
|
Briggs Environmental Services |
Oil Spill Contingency Plans |
Not for external Publication |
4,424 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification. Required by EU Legislation. |
Not for external publication. |
509,830 |
2012: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2011 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2011 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2011) |
May 2012, 3 July 2012
Sept 2012 |
12,792 |
|
Irish Equine Centre |
Demographic study on the unwanted horse population in Ireland |
March 2012 |
10,000 |
|
Indecon |
Review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry |
20 July 2012 |
59,225 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Plan- Castleownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
Not for external Publication |
3,198 |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co. Ltd |
Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report |
January 2014 |
229,610 |
|
Team BDS |
Lean Review of the Meat Inspection Service |
The report has not been formally published but has been issued to stakeholders in final draft version. |
98,597 |
|
Compass Informatics Ltd |
Independent specialist review of all Geographical Information based computer systems in the Department, carried out as part of the effective and efficient administration of the Department’s EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) based payment schemes. |
Not for external publication. |
16,254 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Annual Accounts Certification. Requirement of EU Legislation. |
Not for external publication |
514,169 |
2013: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Costs € |
|
Norfolk Marine |
Survey works report to Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre |
Not for external Publication |
10,828 |
|
Brian Scott |
Port Facility Review, Killybegs |
Not for external Publication |
1,200 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2012 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2012 Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee 2012) |
May 2013 July 2013
October 2013 |
11,400 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of the 2014 – 2020 Rural Development Programme |
July 2015 |
48,401 |
|
Judith A Annett Countryside Consultancy |
Irish Deer Management Policy Vision |
Not for external publication |
2,500 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for New afforestation scheme |
Not for external publication |
1,968 |
|
Deloitte Ireland |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Annual Accounts Certification. Requirement of EU legislation |
Not for external publication |
468,277 |
2014: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost |
|
Indecon |
Review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon |
7 July 2014 |
60,885 |
|
Deloitte |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine -Annual Accounts Certification as required by EU legislation |
Not for external publication |
452,699 |
|
RSM McClure Watters |
Ex Ante Evaluation, SEA and AA of Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 |
24 June 2015 |
64,083 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes. |
Not for external publication. |
18,382 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2013 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2013 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2013 |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire- completed May 2014 and submitted to the EUROSTAT/FAO Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2013- published as part of COFORD Woodflow 2013 in July 2014 UNECE report - was completed September/October 2014 for submission to the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest industry. |
11,780 |
|
RSM McClure Watters (Consulting) |
Ex Ante Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of 2014-2020 Forestry |
Published in 2014 as part of the consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
97,508 |
|
Forest Solutions |
NPV and IRR analysis for new forestry for Fibre scheme |
Was not specifically published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
2,214 |
|
Forest Solutions |
Cost Benefit Analysis- Forest Roads Programme 2014-2020 |
Was not specifically published but formed part of the deliberative and consultative process on the new Forestry programme |
2,952 |
|
Freshwater Bivalve Investigations Freshwater Bivalve Investigations |
Site Assessment of the River Lickey Site Assessment of the River Lickey |
Not for external publication Not for external publication |
5,040 2,769 |
|
Occupational Physiotherapy Solutions |
To conduct an ergonomic assessment of tasks in Cork Blood Testing Laboratory. Internal use only. |
Not for external publication |
1,347 |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment: Castletownbere FHC |
Not for external Publication |
4,735 |
|
Crime Management Services Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Assessment: Killybegs FHC |
Not for external Publication |
4,735 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
RDP 2014-2020 Ex Ante. Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment |
June 2014 |
48,401 |
2015: January- December
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost € |
|
Philip Farrelly & Co |
Agri-Food Strategy 2025. Environmental Analysis Report (Provisional Title) |
December2015 |
89,790 |
|
Deloitte |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine -Annual Accounts Certification as required by EU legislation |
Not for external publication |
137,111 |
|
BDO |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine -Annual Accounts Certification. |
Not for publication. Report is a requirement of EU Legislation. |
381,743 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes |
Not for external publication. |
16,279 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates |
RDP 2014-2020 Ex Ante. Evaluation Strategic Environmental Assessment & Appropriate Assessment |
July 2015 |
50,130 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2014 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2014 Market Report for Ireland for the Timber Committee 2013 |
May 2015 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2014- published as part of COFORD Woodflow note. Sept/Oct 2015 |
12,398 |
|
Bearing Point |
Technical code review of the Animal Health and Welfare System |
Q1 2016 Not for external publication. |
126,198 |
|
Deloitte |
Technical code review of the Integrated Fisheries System |
Q1 2016 Not for external publication. |
79,827 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes |
Not for external publication. |
35,611 |
|
Captain Alan Coghlan |
Draft Report on the use of Tugs and Associated Pilotage at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre |
Not for external publication |
4,800 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
ISPS Port Security Plan: Killybegs FHC |
Not for external Publication |
4,245 |
|
CMG Crime Management Ltd |
Port Security Plan: Killybegs FHC |
Not for external Publication |
4,362 |
|
Martin Heraghty |
Confidential Report to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Commercial Mushroom Producers (CMP) participation as a Producer Organisation in the Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme |
Not for external Publication |
2,000 |
|
Dr. Claire Sansford, Independent Plant Health Consultant, York, UK. |
Revised assessment of the risk of spread of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus on untreated wood of ash (Fraxinus spp., particularly Fraxinus excelsior). |
4 September 2015 Published on the DAFM website in January 2016 |
18,691 |
|
McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan |
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) of Freshwater Pearl Mussel Plan for Ireland |
27 May 2016 |
54,710 |
|
Smith Carter |
Structural Report on Amelioration Works |
Commissioned in December 2015. Not for Publication |
27,060 |
|
Presidion |
Aim Calf Survival Herd of Origin Deliverables Report |
Commissioned in December 2015. Not for Publication |
4,500 |
|
Gavin & Doherty Geosolutions Ltd |
Longford Slope Stability Appraisal |
Not for external Publication |
29,446 |
|
Clare Mulligan Consulting |
DAFM Culture and Gender Review |
Not for external Publication |
18,000 |
|
- |
- |
2016: January - To Date
|
Company |
Title of Report |
Date or expected Date of Publication |
Cost € |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes |
Not for external publication |
12,694 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent web application testing |
Not for external publication |
4,133 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Ex-Post Evaluation of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme |
November 2016 |
146,997 |
|
University College Dublin |
Evaluation of the Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme (implementing EU School Fruit & Vegetables Scheme) |
January 2017 |
84,235 |
|
BDO |
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine -Annual Accounts Certification. |
Not for publication. Report is a requirement of EU Legislation. |
338,555 |
|
PEFC (Ireland) Ltd (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) |
Pilot Project on Group Certification |
July 2016 |
2,500 |
|
Henry Philips |
Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035 Assessment of the impact of forest felling age on overall financial return to forest owners |
On web Q1 2016 Print Q3 2016 Commissioned March 2016 Completion Q4 |
12,000 46,800 |
|
Drima Marketing Ltd |
Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire (JSFO) 2015 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2015 Market Report for Ireland for the UNECE Timber Committee |
May 2016 Joint Wood Energy Enquiry (JWEE) 2015- published as part of COFORD Woodflow note. Expected date of publication July 2016. October 2016 |
14,071 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes |
Not for external publication |
6,790 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent web application testing |
Not for external publication |
1,181 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures and security review of the Department’s infrastructure. Required for EU accreditation purposes |
Not for external publication |
6,790 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Independent web application testing |
Not for external publication |
2,362 |
|
NTA Monitor Ltd |
Application Security Testing 2015/16 |
Not for external publication |
1,181 |
|
Hydro-Environmental Services, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford |
Hydrological review and recommendations regarding felling licence consent conditions for water quality protection for 5 no. Forestry sites in Co. Kerry |
Jan/Feb2017 |
13,161 |
|
FERS Ltd |
Assessment and update of species and related trials on industrial cutaway peatlands with a view to afforestation |
July 2017 |
67,748 |
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Ex Ante Assessment for the use of Financial Instruments within Ireland’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development & European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programmes |
December 2016 |
71,826 |
|
McCutcheon Halley Walsh Chartered Planning Consultants |
Planning report on property at the pier, Dunmore East Harbour. |
Not for external publication |
9,391 |
|
ADAS UK LTD |
An Evaluation of the Green Low –Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) |
Final Report 2021 |
212,371 |
542. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in tabular form the details of the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department per annum since March 2011; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39495/16]
View answerMy Department does not employ External Public Relations firms. Public Relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press Office.
543. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has used any private unsecured e-mail accounts for official business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39577/16]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that my official business is carried out in the main through secure official email accounts. I have occasionally used my personal Gmail account for official correspondence that is not sensitive.
There is currently no policy preventing members of Government from using personal accounts for official business. However, this situation is under review.
544. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39599/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment has issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme years.
Under The EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payments can issue. As 2016 is the final scheme year of payment for the person named, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before the final payment can be processed. It is expected that these checks will be finalised shortly and payment will issue when these checks are completed.
545. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a single farm payment for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39621/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2013 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by gift as transferee. This application could not be processed due to an issue relating to the date of amendment of the herd number. This issue has been resolved and the transfer has been completed to facilitate payment. Confirmation has issued in writing to the person named.
The establishment of the entitlements position of the person named under the Basic Payment Scheme is now being finalised and payment will issue for 2015 and 2016 as soon as possible.
546. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will award a single farm payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39622/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 21 April 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.
547. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the current regulations to safeguard animal welfare with regard to live animal circuses; and his plans to ban animal circuses. [39625/16]
View answerThe conditions under which all species of animals in circuses are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals, including wild animals in circuses. Section 25 of the Act provides for the adoption of codes of practice in relation to, inter alia, matters concerning the welfare of animals, and this is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. I have no plans at this juncture to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
548. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39629/16]
View answerThe person named submitted three 2016 Transfer of Entitlements applications to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by lease. As the herd number shown had been changed from an individual to a Company name 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 applications to be processed.
A letter issued with a Declaration of Undertaking form to the person named on 12 November 2016. The completed Declaration of Undertaking from has since been returned to my Department. The applications have now been finalised and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
549. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his views on whether an acquisition (details supplied) is in the long-term interests of County Clare farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39660/16]
View answerThe State, through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, has an existing and well established infrastructure for oversight of competition matters and for dealing with allegations of anti-competitive practices or abuse of a dominant position. The acquisition referred to by the Deputy will be subject to the relevant statutory requirements under competition law, if relevant.
550. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if negotiations on Irish beef access to China are progressing satisfactorily; when Irish beef might be allowed into China; his views on and the estimated impact this access would have on Irish beef prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39661/16]
View answerThe process of access for Irish beef to third country markets requires work at technical, diplomatic and political levels. Ultimately, the pace of progress is determined by the receiving country.
In relation to China, I am satisfied that we are making steady progress. The formal lifting of the BSE ban by the Chinese authorities in respect of Ireland in early 2015 was followed by the submission of a detailed questionnaire to the Chinese authorities. In January 2016 my Department hosted a ten-day inspection visit by a team from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). We received a copy of their report relatively recently and have replied to their findings.
Assuming that our response to these findings is positive the next steps are to agree a protocol and a veterinary health certificate. It will also be necessary for Irish meat establishments to be individually approved by the Certification and Accreditation Administration (CNCA) before they are able to export to China. Although timelines are very difficult to predict in this process, I hope that such inspections will take place in 2017.
Third country markets are an increasingly important alternative outlet for the industry. I am acutely aware of the need to develop new and alternative markets, given the changing global demographics and emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere. Indeed this is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 Strategy and has been given an added impetus by the outcome of the UK referendum on Brexit. Having greater market access options to choose from is always an advantage as exporters are able to choose to export their products to a wider range of markets. However there are many other factors that will impact on the beef price including the global supply and demand dynamics, currency fluctuations and so on.
While beef access to China is a very high priority, my department is also pursuing beef access to a number of other Third Countries including Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Ukraine, and is working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which we already have access. My Department will continue to work very closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bord Bia, the industry and the European Commission on these issues.
551. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his plans to introduce two annual animal tuberculosis tests in certain areas as part of a plan to eradicate the disease by 2030; if County Clare is under consideration for two annual tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39662/16]
View answerThe Bovine TB Eradication Programme as implemented by my Department includes a range of measures such as annual testing of all herds in the country, testing of herds contiguous to TB breakdowns, blood testing of certain animals, the restriction of herds which have experienced a breakdown, removal of sources of infection in wildlife, etc. These measures have proven to be extremely effective in recent years in reducing the incidence of TB in the country from 5.9% in 2008 to 3.4% in 2015, the lowest level on record since the programme commenced in the mid 1950’s. With regard to County Clare, the implementation of the programme has reduced herd incidence in that county from 7.21% in 2008 to 4.10% last year. To date in 2016, herd incidence in County Clare is at 3.6%, slightly above the national average of 3.2%.
In view of this very considerable progress in reducing the incidence of the TB, my Department believes that complete eradication of the disease by 2030 is now a practicable proposition. However, notwithstanding the success of the current range of measures in the programme, the programme is not static and has and will continue to be reviewed and revised in light of developments in the disease situation, improvements in scientific knowledge etc. However, I have no plans to introduce two annual TB tests.
552. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite a payment to a person (details supplied) under the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39745/16]
View answerAn official from my Department has contacted the person named with regard to his intention to apply for the 2016 Young Farmers Scheme. Following clarification received as a result of this contact, an Agricultural Adviser submitted documentation to my Department on behalf of the person named. This enabled his Young Farmers Scheme application to be processed and payment will issue shortly to the person named.
553. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the national reserve scheme will be open again in 2017; if funding will be available for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39788/16]
View answerIn 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million in funding which was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. Some 8,000 farmers received an allocation of entitlements under the 2015 National Reserve. There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding had been utilised under the 2015 scheme. In order to provide for a National Reserve in 2017 funding is required to replenish the Reserve. EU Regulations governing the scheme provide that funding for the replenishment of the National Reserve may be obtained by means of surrender of entitlements that remain unused by farmers for two consecutive years and by claw-back derived following the sale of entitlements without land. It is envisaged that funding derived from these two sources in 2017 will be very limited. The Regulations also provide for the application of a linear cut to the value of all farmers’ entitlements to replenish the National Reserve. Decisions in relation to the National Reserve for 2017 will be considered once the position on potential funding has been established.
Consultation between Department officials and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, agricultural education and farm advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve. The consultation process in relation to the 2017 National Reserve will take place early in 2017.
554. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of expenditure incurred to date in 2016 and the annual allocation of funds in the Revised Estimates for 2016 under the rural development fund 2014-2020 and if he will provide certain detail for schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39857/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Of the schemes listed by the Deputy no allocation was made for the Knowledge Transfer Scheme in 2016.
A substantial amount of further expenditure will take place in the coming weeks.
|
Title of Scheme |
2016 allocation€000 |
2016 Outturn – 13 December€000 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
202,000 |
199,536 |
|
Beef Data and Genomics Programme |
52,000 |
29,689 |
|
AEOS |
40,850 |
22,893 |
|
GLAS |
139,500* |
5,406 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
35,800 |
9,110 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
4,602* |
4,408 |
|
Organic Farming Schemes |
10,000 |
2,529 |
|
REPS (including Agricultural Catchment Programme) |
2,194 |
2,634 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Schemes (Burren) |
1,200 |
1,178 |
|
Technical assistance |
1,000 |
687 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
500 |
229 |
|
Speciality Foods Scheme |
989 |
10 |
|
Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Disease |
700 |
183 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Totals |
491,335 |
278,492 |
*Revised allocation post 2016 Supplementary Estimate Process
555. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has been involved in any court proceedings that involved non-disclosure agreements in the past five years; and, if so, if the specific court ruling preventing knowledge of the court proceeding being known and knowledge of the participants to the court proceeding from being made known for each of these agreements. [39860/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that all court proceedings that my Department has been involved in are open to the public and the identity of the parties are available.
My Department has settled 4 cases with confidentiality clauses in the past 5 years.
556. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the basic payment scheme and area of natural constraints scheme for 2016 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the reason for the delay in issuing the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39876/16]
View answerIn 2015 the person named formed a Registered Farm Partnership with two other individuals. My Department has received three Transfer of Entitlement applications in 2016 seeking the transfer of entitlements out of this Registered Farm Partnership by Division of Entitlements. My Department has also received two Transfer of Entitlement applications in 2016 seeking the transfer of entitlements by merger of two or more holdings into a separate Registered Farm Partnership of which the person named is a member.
An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the herd owners in this case to discuss the processing of these applications and will further contact herd owners as the case is finalised for payment shortly.
An application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the Partnership named on 13 May, 2016. Processing of this application has been finalised and payment has issued to the nominated bank accounts.
557. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers who did not have commonage included as part of a 2014 basic application cannot avail of the GLAS scheme, yet farmers who have acquired land since 2014 are able to avail of the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39877/16]
View answerMy Department revised commonage eligibility requirements for GLAS 3 applications from those which applied for GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 and issued a circular to all advisors and also published the circular on the Department’s website. This update states that for GLAS 3 commonage land declared for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2015 whether declared in previous years or not is eligible.
In addition new entrants to farming in 2016 who declared commonage in their first BPS application in 2016 will also qualify. Farmers with commonage receive priority access to the GLAS Scheme.
558. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ban wild non-domestic animal circus performances here in view of the fact that Dublin City Council has banned these types of shows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39920/16]
View answerThe conditions under which all species of animals in circuses are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals, including wild animals in circuses. Section 25 of the Act provides for the adoption of codes of practice in relation to, inter alia, matters concerning the welfare of animals, and this is being kept under review in the context of use of animals in circuses. My Department continues to engage with stakeholders, including circus groups, animal welfare organisations, in relation to the welfare of wild animals in circuses. According to the information available to my Department, there are in fact very few wild animals currently performing in Irish circuses. I have no plans at this juncture to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.
