Written Answers Nos. 542-566
542. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for TAMS II by a person (details supplied); when the application will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8292/17]
View answerThe applicant in this case has submitted a claim for payment under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II.
There were a number of queries in relation to the payment claim in this case. These are being examined in the local office and will be finalised in the near future.
543. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2016 GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8326/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2015 balancing prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck. Department officials have resolved 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 2016 scheme year payment will be processed.
544. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approval can be expected with regard to TAMS applications by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8379/17]
View answerThe above named has made two applications under the TAMS Organic Capital Investment Scheme, one for the purchase of machinery and the second for the construction of an animal housing unit.
The application for the purchase of machinery has been approved for payment. With regard to the second application in respect of the animal housing unit I understand the person concerned was requested to submit additional documentation. This has now been received and is being examined. Approval will issue once this is deemed to be in order.
545. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding trawling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8483/17]
View answerI am aware of the Irish Wildlife Trust's calls for the prohibition of pair trawling in coastal areas. I am advised that the practice of pair trawling in inshore waters and estuaries around Ireland is confined to fishing for sprat. The Irish Wildlife Trust also identifies sprat as the target species for this activity.
Sprat in Irish waters is not a species subject to fishing quotas or Total Allowable Catches established under EU regulation. The International Council of the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) considers sprat to be a data limited stock which means that more detailed data is required in order to form a full understanding of the state of the stock. In order to address that paucity of accurate information in respect of sprat stocks in the waters around Ireland, a three year research project, partially funded by industry, began in October 2014 under the auspices of the Marine Institute in cooperation with Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
Through the Birds and Habitats Directive, among other instruments, Ireland is committed to ensuring the conservation of biodiversity of the sea birds and mammals around our coast. Regarding fish by-catch in sprat fisheries, I am advised that the most likely by-catch is of herring but that catches of juvenile mackerel cannot be ruled out. It should be noted that by-catch is a feature of a number of the fisheries around our coast given the mixed nature of many of our stocks. All catches of quota species are logged and landed and taken in to account by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) when providing stock advice.
The Marine Institute are working on adding sprat to the species covered under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Marine Biodiversity Scheme in 2017. This would allow for more intensive data collection to enhance scientific knowledge and underpin any future management actions for the stock.
In addition, I have asked the Marine Institute to work in conjunction with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to consider how we can improve our knowledge, through observer programmes, of the possible impacts of these fisheries on by-catch of other fish, sea birds and mammals.
546. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 439 and 440 of 9 June 2015, the progress made on overstocking since his predecessor stated on 15 June 2015 that his Department had identified the issue of overstocking as a key operational priority over the next 12 months for the monitoring and compliance unit of his Department's aquaculture licensing division. [8490/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware a number of aquaculture sites operated by one company have been the subject of ongoing examination by my Department in respect of possible overstocking.
In the case of two of these sites - Lough Altan Hatchery and Inishfarnard, my Department’s examination has concluded.
In relation to the Lough Altan Hatchery, I have determined that an amendment to the licence held by the company in respect of this site would be appropriate. My Department is currently examining the nature of the amendment and will be following up with the company in relation to the matter.
In relation to Inishfarnard, I have determined that a provable breach of the applicable licence condition did not occur and that an amendment to the licence is the most appropriate way to address the issues that have arisen in this case.
As my Department’s examination in respect of the other sites is ongoing as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
547. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 240 and 241 of 25 January 2017, if procedures for applying conditions to felling licences are to be changed following his investigation confirming unauthorised felling of oaks in a heritage woodland at Castleforbes, County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/17]
View answerFurther to recent Parliamentary Questions with regard to the conditions of a felling licence issued for the named location, I can confirm that new procedures were drafted and have been implemented in the Department.
These procedures have been put in place to avoid any future conflicts between the contents of the felling licence conditions and the cover note.
548. 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. [8508/17]
View answerThe person named is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme measure of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 11).
The applicant originally applied for a Heat Transfer Unit which they have now requested to withdraw.
A new online application can be submitted for the two water heaters they have indicated that they now wish to install in place of the Heat Transfer Unit.
549. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8519/17]
View answerThe person named is an applicant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme measure of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 11). There is an issue with an over claim in this case which will be finalised as soon as possible.
550. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8535/17]
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.
The prepayment checking process in respect of the 2016 scheme year is currently under way and once successfully completed payment will issue.
551. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body that appointed a person (details supplied) as interim chief executive of the Irish Greyhound Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8561/17]
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, Bord na gCon has informed me that the Board engaged in a recruitment process with the purpose of filling the vacancy in an interim capacity only. In selecting someone to fulfil the role of 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 and I understand that arrangements will shortly be underway for the recruitment of a CEO on a more permanent basis.
552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8568/17]
View answerThe above named person submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by lease as transferee. There were outstanding issues pertaining to the land parcel details which prevented the transfer from being finalised. Following communication with officials from my Department the required documentation was submitted in December 2016 which allowed for the transfer of entitlements and values by gift to the person named as a transferee. This transfer has now been finalised and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme for 2015 and 2016 will issue shortly.
553. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8572/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015.
During the 2015 prepayment checks an issue was identified in relation to the Chough (whole parcel) action. Department officials have examined this issue and have resolved it. The application is currently going back through the prepayment validation checks with a view to issuing payment for 2015 as soon as possible.
Following the issue of payment in respect of 2015, the payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year will be processed.
554. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment under TAMS II in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8573/17]
View answerThe person named has submitted a payment claim for investment works completed under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. There is an issue with an over claim (applicant claimed VAT on the invoices) in this case which will be resolved as soon as possible.
555. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the 2016 basic payment scheme greening payment for a person (details supplied); the reason his Department did not acknowledge receipt of comments supplied by the person on the control report of the outcome of the remote sensing inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8580/17]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on 5 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 identified an over-declaration in area exceeding 10% of the area claimed. This resulted in the area determined being reduced by 1.5 times the difference between the area claimed and area determined. Payments due under the Basic Payment/Greening Scheme, taking account of the above, issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 24 November 2016 and 1 December 2016.
The person named was notified of final outcome of the inspection on 21 November 2016. The person named submitted comments on the inspection findings, which were received by my Department on 24 November. As priority was given to the processing of cases to finalisation it was not possible to issue acknowledgements where comments were submitted.
As part of the review process and in order to verify the position on the ground, my Department arranged for a field visit to be undertaken. This field visit was completed and the outcome of this process was an increase in the area eligible for payment. The person named was notified of the outcome of the review on 17 February 2017. An additional payment due under the Basic Payment/Greening Scheme has now been processed and is issuing to the nominated bank account of the person named this week.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
556. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received correspondence from a community-based committee (details supplied) in which a suspected breach of the terms and conditions under which a licensee may carry out foreshore activities has been disclosed; if a response has issued to this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8584/17]
View answerOn 15 February my Department received correspondence from the Committee referred to by the Deputy. The correspondence related to possible unauthorised aquaculture activity in the Gweedore/Braade Strand area. On 16 February the correspondence was referred to my Department’s Marine Engineering Division for a report on the alleged activity and this was communicated to the Committee by my Department on the same day.
As soon as a report on the matter is available from my Department’s Marine Engineering Division a substantive response will issue to the Committee.
557. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); when title will be executed in view of the fact that it is ongoing since 1998 and has never been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8586/17]
View answerThis matter has been brought to my attention and I understand that there are complex legal difficulties with the titles. I have requested a review of the current position. I will write to the Deputy directly once I receive a response.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
558. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all funding that the Irish Greyhound Board has received from his Department for each of the years 2011 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8590/17]
View answerBord na gCon's income is derived from two sources, namely turnover from racing facilities and financial support provided by the Department from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
State funding provided from the Fund is pivotal to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. In accordance with the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, the level of financial support provided to Bord na gCon is approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
In accordance with the 2001 Act, 80% and 20% of the monies paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively.
The funding being provided to the greyhound racing sector helps sustain a long standing tradition as the industry is part of the social fabric of our country. This funding is of particular importance to the economic activity of rural areas. It has also contributed significantly to the improved facilities now available at greyhound tracks around Ireland. The greyhound industry also contributes significantly to tourism in Ireland, having successfully identified and developed a niche market among continental European visitors.
The following table provides information on the amount of funding given to Bord na gCon from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for each of the years 2011 to 2016.
Funding to the Greyhound Racing Industry 2011 to 2016
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2011 |
11,460,000 |
|
2012 |
11,258,000 |
|
2013 |
11,004,000 |
|
2014 |
10,844,000 |
|
2015 |
13,600,000 |
|
2016 |
14,800,000 |
559. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) is being held up in view of the fact the life scheme has been paid already; the reason his Department is rechecking this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8612/17]
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.
The 85% advance payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named. The balancing 15% payment for 2016 will be processed in due course according to the regulatory requirements.
560. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding given to Horse Racing Ireland from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8623/17]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland receives financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The level of financial support provided to Horse Racing Ireland is approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas. In accordance with the 2001 Act, 80% and 20% of the monies paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively.
State funding provided from the Fund is pivotal to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. The Irish bloodstock breeding and racing industry is of major national importance in terms of employment - especially in rural areas; exports and tourism. Approximately 14,000 people are employed in the thoroughbred industry in Ireland, mostly in rural areas and it attracts significant inward investment to the country.
The following table provides information on the amount of funding given to Horse Racing Ireland from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for each of the years 2012 to 2016.
Funding to the Horse Racing Industry 2012 to 2016
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2012 |
45,032,000 |
|
2013 |
44,016,000 |
|
2014 |
43,376,000 |
|
2015 |
54,400,000 |
|
2016 |
59,200,000 |
561. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of upgrading information technology systems and-or databases to incorporate the use of Eircode; if the use of Eircode is mandatory in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8625/17]
View answerThe total cost of upgrading ten major computer systems in the Department to facilitate Eircode is estimated at €276,375 from 2014 to date. The use of Eircode is not mandatory but the Department has run a number of promotion campaigns, including at the National Ploughing Championships in 2015 and 2016 to encourage farmers to update their contact details to include Eircodes, and further initiatives are planned. In addition, the Department has provided a self-service facility on its online services portal (www.agfood.ie) for farmers to provide their Eircode. The Eircode provides a means of unambiguously identifying and locating our customers and this is particularly useful in the case of rural areas where there are many instances of non-unique names and addresses in a particular townland.
562. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the developments with regard to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8656/17]
View answerUnder the Terms and Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications. Ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. must be excluded.
The Department carried out a review of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) in 2013. This resulted in adjustment to the parcels of a significant number of applicants due to the inclusion of ineligible features. In certain circumstances these adjustments gave rise to penalties as in the case of the person named. Adjustments were necessary on four parcels declared by the named person, resulting in an over-claim of between 3% and 20%. The person named was notified in writing on 27 November 2013 of the over claims and was advised of his right to submit supporting documentation where he did not agree with the findings. My Department has not, to date, received any specific information/documentation regarding this matter.
An official from my Department has been in contact with the person with a view towards clarifying the matter.
563. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if more concise and clear details can be provided to farmers on the way they can apply for the low cost loan scheme being facilitated by certain banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8658/17]
View answerI was pleased to announce the launch of the "Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme" on 31 January. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which have caused cash flow difficulties for farmers. The Scheme, which was developed in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), makes €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at interest rates of 2.95%.
Distributed through AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, the Scheme provides farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises. Loans are for amounts up to €150,000 for up to six years. The loans are flexible with interest only facilities of up to three years. However, normal lending criteria apply and the terms and conditions of each individual loan is agreed between the financial institutions and the applicants according to their individual circumstances. Further details on the application process are available from local branches of the participating banks or from their websites.
564. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin scéim ghlas ar bheagán carbóin do chomhshaol na talmhaíochta, GLAS, le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [8696/17]
View answerCeadaíodh an duine ainmnithe isteach in GLAS 1 agus an 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 an dáta ar cuireadh tús leis an gconradh. Tá teidlíochtaí iomlána faighte ag an té sin i leith na bliana scéime 2015.
Le linn phróiseas seiceála na réamhíocaíochta in 2016, tugadh fadhbanna ar aird i ndáil leis an mbeart Coimíneachta. Tá oifigigh na Roinne ag obair go gníomhach chun na fadhbanna seo a réiteach le súil is gur féidir an t-iarratas a phróiseáil d'íocaíocht 2016 chomh luath agus is féidir.
565. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects BIM to furnish aquaculture licences to oyster farmers who have applied for licences but to date have received no indication regarding timeframes for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8727/17]
View answerApplications for aquaculture licences for the cultivation of oysters are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and related national and EU legislation. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is a statutory consultee under the provisions of the applicable legislation but has no responsibility in relation to the award of licences.
566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that has been offered and drawn down by Galway City Council and Galway County Council under the animal welfare provisions to support the development of new facilities to provide shelter for the urban horse population and to encourage young persons in the care and welfare of horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/17]
View answerOn 13 November 2014, Local Authorities countrywide were informed of details outlining a €1 million fund being made available by my Department to develop facilities for urban / traveller horse projects. Expressions of interest were sought from those authorities who wished to initiate projects and Galway City Council was among those that initially responded. On 24 September, 2015 my Department again wrote to those local authorities from whom DAFM received an initial interest but had not progressed to development. It is my understanding that at present Galway City Council are in the process of examining a feasibility study in association with the Galway Traveller Movement. Separately, I understand that Galway County Council are considering priority areas for a project within the county. Discussions between my Department and both Galway Local Authorities remain ongoing.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine remain committed to developing a number of urban horse projects as they provide many benefits to communities including reductions in the amount of stray animals. The education program available to horse owners also enables greater compliance with animal welfare regulations. My Department's support focuses on the capital set up costs of the project and it is expected that all horse projects should endeavour to be self-financing over time.
