Written Answers Nos. 510--535
510. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects all persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan to be paid in full under the green low-carbon agricultural scheme, GLAS 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5470/17]
View answerThe number of farmers active in GLAS 2 in Co. Cavan is 448 and in Co. Monaghan is 152. A total of 364 participants in Co. Cavan and 125 participants in Co. Monaghan have successfully completed the GLAS prepayment checks in respect of the 2016 scheme year and a first payment instalment of 85% has issued.
My Department is continuing to review unpaid cases and as they pass all of the regulatory checks and validations they will be processed for payment.
511. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a green low-carbon agricultural scheme, GLAS 2, payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5502/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015 and has received a first instalment payment of 85% in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2015 balancing prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to crosschecks with other Department databases. Department officials have examined this issue and the application will now be further processed for the 2015 balancing payment.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, the application of the person named will be processed in respect of the 2016 Scheme year.
512. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farm entitlements due to a person (details supplied) have been paid in full and up to date; his Department's plans to pay the person for the animals slaughtered by his Department as part of a farm inspection and investigation some years ago; the terms of reference for the report into the case and the comments of a person (details supplied); if the terms of reference and the report will be published in full; his views on whether his Department has violated the rights of the person; if any officials associated with this case have been sanctioned in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/17]
View answerI understand that the person concerned has instituted legal proceedings against the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Attorney General and the Garda Commissioner. The Deputy will be aware that where legal proceedings are live, extant and under judicial consideration, the matter is sub-judice. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to make any comment on the issues raised by the Deputy.
514. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, EU, the amount Ireland’s extra contribution to the EU budget will be; the impact the loss of UK funding to the EU will mean for the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020, pillars 1 and 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5513/17]
View answerThe UK's decision to leave the European Union will result in a loss of its contribution to the EU budget of between 5% and 10%, or about €10 billion. This is likely to have implications for future spending decisions in what is already a very tight budgetary framework.
The CAP accounts for approximately 37% of the EU budget, and we can expect additional pressure from some member states for further contraction in CAP funding in the years ahead. However, it is too early at this point to speculate on the likely effects on the CAP post-2020.
There will also be a parallel debate on the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, in respect of which a Commission proposal is expected later this year or early in 2018. There will be a need to strongly defend the CAP in these negotiations, and to emphasise its contribution to European strategic objectives in the face of likely demands not just for budget reductions, but for expenditure to be directed towards new priorities such as migration and security.
Both I and my Department will continue to promote the importance and relevance of CAP expenditure and will strongly defend the need for a budget commensurate with our strong ambitions for the CAP in post-2020 negotiations.
515. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency plans in place to safeguard Irish fishermen and the coastal communities that depend on this sector for employment and exports in view of Brexit; the objectives of Ireland in any future European discussions with the UK with respect to the common fisheries policy, including quotas, total allowable catches and maximum sustainable yields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5514/17]
View answerBrexit poses enormous challenges for the Irish fisheries sector and our coastal communities reliant upon that sector. That is why last week (1 February), I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that Brexit poses, and involved an examination of the worst case scenario of a 'hard' Brexit for sea fisheries.
Fish stocks are a shared resource managed under the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union. Nearly all of the main commercial stocks upon which the Irish fisheries sector is reliant are shared to some degree with the UK. In addition, many of our traditional fishing grounds lie within UK waters. Any change to the existing situation could have very serious negative consequences for our fleets. Loss of access to fishing grounds and possible reductions in existing quotas were clearly identified at the event last week as the main threats facing the industry.
I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
My Department, together with its agencies and stakeholders, has been considering all of the potential impacts, looking at the areas where the greatest risks will arise and on which we will need to focus when the negotiations begin. Ensuring that our fishing interests are reflected in the overall EU negotiating position will be a key priority.
I have established a dedicated Brexit unit in my Department, and a consultative committee of stakeholders has been convened in order to ensure a full exchange of information as negotiations proceed.
My officials are in constant contact with their counterparts in the European Commission and have recently met with the Director General of Fisheries to impress upon him Ireland’s key interests in the upcoming negotiations.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
For the sake of clarity, I would just note that these negotiations will not be a renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The CFP remains in place and will be up for review from 2019 with the review and any agreed changes due to be concluded by 2022. By the time that process begins, the UK will, in all probability, have left the EU and so will not be party to the negotiations on a new CFP.
At this time we do not know the kind of relationship that the UK want with the EU in terms of fisheries post-exit. When we know what the UK is seeking, we will, as I have said, work closely with our EU partners with a view to seeking a new relationship with the UK.
Ireland is fully committed to managing stocks sustainably and achieving fishing mortality at Maximum Sustainable Yield by 2020 at the latest. I would expect that the UK, who committed to this principle in the 2013 revised Common Fisheries Policy, will continue to do so, but they will not be legally obliged to do so unless they maintain the objective in their domestic legislation.
519. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of meetings of the Brexit consultative committee convened by him since the UK referendum to leave the EU; the dates of all such meetings to date; the number of meetings planned in 2017; and when the next meeting will take place. [5519/17]
View answerAs one of a number of steps taken in the immediate aftermath of the UK's decision to leave the EU, I established a Consultative Committee of Stakeholders in order to ensure a full exchange of information on the potential implications for the agri-food sector and on the most effective responses as developments unfold.
Building on more informal consultation arrangements that had been in place in the months leading up to the referendum, I convened the first formal meeting of the Brexit Consultative Committee of Stakeholders on 7 July 2016. A comprehensive and very useful discussion on the sectoral impacts took place, and this was followed by a further very constructive and informative meeting of the Committee on 20 October 2016. In keeping with the working arrangements of the Committee - which are to meet as required rather than according to a pre-determined schedule - I will be arranging a further meeting in the coming weeks in order to assess the latest developments.
I should make it clear, however, that my officials and I engage on both a formal and informal basis with stakeholders, with EU Commission officials and Member State counterparts on a regular basis on Brexit related issues. Consultation with stakeholders has continued in the context of the All-Island Civic Dialogue, in respect of which an opening plenary took place in early November 2016 in Dublin and a further plenary is due to take place on 17 February. As part of this process, sectoral dialogues to further examine the issues in the agri-food and fisheries sectors have taken place. The first, which took place on 15 December 2016, focused on the cattle and sheep, pigs and poultry and dairy sectors. A second dialogue, focusing on fisheries issues, took place on 1 February, and a third, which will concentrate on issues relevant to the forestry, horticulture, prepared consumer foods and cereals/animal feed sectors, will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 8 February.
All of these consultations are helping to further inform my approach and that of my Department to the challenges presented by Brexit for the agri-food and fisheries sectors, and the Brexit Consultative Committee of Stakeholders will continue to play a vital role in this regard.
521. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the agri-environment options 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. [5539/17]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 3 contract on 1 May 2013. Payments have issued in respect of the 2013-2015 Scheme years.
Payment in respect of the 2016 Scheme year will issue in two parts as required. An 85% payment in the amount of €2606.89 issued on 31 January 2017 and the remaining 15% is due to issue shortly.
522. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the green low-carbon agricultural scheme, GLAS, 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. [5540/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 balancing prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to Low-Input Permanent Pasture action. Department officials have examined this issue and the application will now be further processed for 2016 advance payment.
523. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the green low-carbon agricultural scheme, GLAS, 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. [5541/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment of 85% in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2015 balancing prepayment checking process an issue was identified with the Commonage action. Department officials are examining this issue with a view to resolving and further processing the application for the balancing payment at the earliest opportunity.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, the application of the person named will be processed in respect of the 2016 Scheme year.
524. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the agri-environment options 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. [5545/17]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 3 contract on 1 May 2013. Payment has issued for the 2013-2015 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must take place before payments are made. This check has now been completed and it is expected that payment in respect of the 2016 Scheme year will issue shortly.
525. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current payment rates and payable areas will change for 2018 areas of natural constraint, ANC, payments to farmers after the current areas of natural constraint scheme review is complete that will introduce a new system for designating eligible areas from 1 January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5556/17]
View answerArticle 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.
Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process.
Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC which in turn will be used in any assessment of a new ANC scheme from 2018 onwards. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
526. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for mountain type land on the payable area for the first ten hectares or part thereof by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5557/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
527. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate on the payable area for mountain type land for remaining eligible hectares, greater than 10 ha up to a maximum of 34 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5558/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
528. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for more severely handicapped lowland on the payable area of 30 ha or part thereof subject to an overall maximum of 30 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5559/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
529. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase the payment rate for less severely handicapped lowland and coastal areas with specific handicaps, on the payable area of 30 ha or part thereof subject to an overall maximum of 30 ha, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5560/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
530. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost to the Exchequer to increase all current payment rates for areas of specific constraints such as islands, according to current payable area criteria, by percentage increases (details supplied) based on current participation levels and criteria in operation under the areas of natural constraint scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5561/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded at an early date.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
531. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide compensation to those persons that incurred large fodder losses, including silage badly damaged or destroyed by severe weather in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5576/17]
View answerNationally, 2016 was a good year for Fodder production. Whilst there were specific instances of animals having to be housed in late summer 2016, grass growth rates were above average over the subsequent Autumn period. Ground conditions improved in October and November and allowed farmers in some instances to make silage and in the majority of cases to extend the grazing season and delay housing stock. This has reduced the amount of winter fodder required to date.
Based on the available information it would appear that there is sufficient fodder available nationally at present to cover a normal winter feeding period.
532. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will award a 2016 area based payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5577/17]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 18 March 2016.
Under the 2016 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Payment under the ANC scheme has not issued in this case as the holding concerned has not satisfied the scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.
A formal decision on this matter issued to the person named in which he has been advised of the option to avail of a review of this decision via the Agriculture Appeals Office.
533. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applicants to the new sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5610/17]
View answerThe closing date for the Sheep Welfare Scheme was 3 February 2017. In excess of 21,000 applications were received and officials from my Department are currently processing these applications. All applicants will shortly be notified of the outcome of their application.
534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the 2016 sheep census deadline, in view of the information technology issues being encountered by sheep farmers informing them that the 31 January deadline had passed, thereby preventing them from submitting their flock data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5611/17]
View answerSheep and goat census forms were issued to keepers in mid-December 2016. These were accompanied by pre-addressed return envelopes in which paper returns could be returned by 31 January 2017. On-line completion of the 2016 census was also an option for farmers, with this facility being available from 31st December 2016 until 31st January 2017 to keepers and agents registered with agfood.ie.
Information technology difficulties relating to on-line completion of the 2016 Annual Sheep and Goat Census were experienced from midnight on 30 January 2017 and were fully resolved by 9.30 a.m. on 31 January 2017.
In conjunction with an extended deadline for applications for the 2017 Sheep Welfare Scheme, I have extended the deadline for the return (both by post and online) of completed 2016 Sheep and Goat Census forms to Friday 3rd February 2017. A Press Release to this effect issued from my Department's Press Office on 31 January 2017.
535. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details, including pension, lump sum, severance and so on, concerning the termination of employment of the chief executive officer, CEO, of the Irish Greyhound Board in 2016; the details of the employment of the new CEO of the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5728/17]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Regarding the employment of the new CEO BnG has informed me that the Board engaged in a recruitment process with the purpose of filling the vacancy in an interim capacity. In selecting an interim CEO the requirement for a proven record in company restructuring and change management skills were criteria used in that selection. The successful candidate was offered a six month fixed term contract.
I will revert to the Deputy directly with further details of the information sought.
