Written Answers Nos. 284 - 294
284. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); if all details for the application have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to the Planting of New Hedgerow action. A Department official has been in contact with the person named regarding this issue and the application is now being further processed with a view to issuing the 2016 payment at the earliest opportunity.
285. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); if all details for the application have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10568/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
My Department has received the required Interim Commonage forms for the person named and these forms have been processed by GLAS officials. During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
286. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if young farmers will receive a 20% top-up under TAMS as trained young farmers in view of the growing numbers of young farmers who are labouring intensely in the industry but due to various rules and by-laws are not qualifying for many supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10649/17]
View answerYoung Farmers who meet the eligibility criteria for the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme measure under TAMS II benefit from a grant rate of 60% as distinct from the general grant rate of 40% for other TAMS measures.
For the purposes of the TAMS II – Young Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme Regulation 1305/2013 Article 2 (1)(n) defines “young farmer” as follows:
“Means a person who is not more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of that holding.”
The Rural Development Programme contains the following text “Beneficiaries will be active farmers, with the possibility of groups of farmers as beneficiaries, with young farmers (as defined in Article 2(1)(n) of the Rural Development Regulation No 1305/2013) benefiting from an increased rate of aid. In order to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced scheme, it is proposed to use the maximum flexibility available and accept applications from young farmers who commenced farming during the five years preceding date of application. Registered Farm Partnerships and Legal Persons will also be potential beneficiaries under the scheme, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria.”
Under this measure therefore, it is required that to meet the eligibility criteria farmers must meet the requirements of set-up for the first time within five years of the date of receipt of an application under this scheme. The date of set-up means the date an applicant first applied for a herd number or other Department identifier.
288. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the young farmers group are being excluded from single farm payment top up; the reason they cannot be included in TAMS in view of the fact the Commission has recognised that they meet the criteria for the national reserve and, therefore, they should qualify for TAMS top up; if he will address the Commission's inconsistency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10651/17]
View answerThe National Reserve measure of the Basic Payment Scheme provides for an allocation of entitlements to eligible applicants. EU Regulations governing the National Reserve provides that the two mandatory categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’ must receive priority access to the National Reserve. A young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when they first submit an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. (emphasis added).
The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve also include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements for persons who suffer from a ‘Specific Disadvantage’. The application of this optional use of the Reserve for non-priority categories is dependent on the availability of funds within the National Reserve.
Ireland successfully negotiated the inclusion of the group known as ‘Old Young Farmers’ as a category suffering from ‘specific disadvantage’ on a once-off basis under the 2015 National Reserve. Old Young Farmers were defined as farmers who established their holding between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, and who, due to the timeframe of setting up their holding did not benefit from either Installation Aid or the ‘young farmer’ category of the National Reserve.
The Young Farmers Scheme provides an additional payment for farmers who meet the definition of ‘young farmer’. The definition of a ‘young farmer’ under the Young Farmers Scheme is the same as the definition applying to a young farmer under the National Reserve. As the Old Young Farmer group had commenced agricultural activity more than 5 years prior to submitting an application under the Basic Payment Scheme they were not deemed eligible for consideration under the Young Farmers Scheme.
Young Farmers who meet the eligibility criteria for the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme measure under TAMS II benefit from a grant rate of 60% as distinct from the general grant rate of 40% for other TAMS measures.
For the purposes of the TAMS II – Young Farmers’ Capital Investment Scheme Regulation 1305/2013 Article 2 (1)(n) defines “young farmer” as follows:
“Means a person who is not more than 40 years of age at the moment of submitting the application, possesses adequate occupational skills and competence and is setting up for the first time in an agricultural holding as head of that holding.” (emphasis added).
In the Rural Development Programme the following text was included; “Beneficiaries will be active farmers, with the possibility of groups of farmers as beneficiaries, with young farmers (as defined in Article 2(1)(n) of the Rural Development Regulation No 1305/2013) benefiting from an increased rate of aid. In order to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced scheme, it is proposed to use the maximum flexibility available and accept applications from young farmers who commenced farming during the five years preceding date of application. Registered Farm Partnerships and Legal Persons will also be potential beneficiaries under the scheme, provided that they meet the eligibility criteria.”
Under this measure therefore, it is required that to meet the eligibility criteria farmers must meet the requirements of set-up for the first time within 5 years of the date of receipt of an application under this scheme. The date of set-up means the date an applicant first applied for a herd number or other Department identifier.
I would like to clarify that, unfortunately, the Department does not have the scope to align the TAMS scheme definition with the conditions of the Young Farmer Scheme as they fall under different Regulations with different definitions.
289. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar na hiarratais ó na húdaráis áitiúla maidir le forbairt céanna beaga agus oibreacha farraige eile do 2017; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10713/17]
View answerMo Roinnse, de ghnáth, a riarann an Clár Forbartha Caipitil Infreastruchtúir Cuanta Iascaigh agus Cósta faoina ndéantar maoiniú ar oibreacha caipitil ag na sé Lárionad Cuanta Iascaigh atá faoi úinéireacht an Stáit agus atá lonnaithe i mBaile Chaisleáin Bhéara, an Daingean, an Dún Mór Thoir, Binn Éadair, na Cealla Beaga agus Ros an Mhíl. Faoin gclár freisin cuirtear maoiniú áirithe ar fáil d'Údaráis Áitiúla le caitheamh ar thionscadail bheaga chun céanna agus cuanta atá faoi úinéireacht na n-údarás a dheisiú agus a fhorbairt agus le caitheamh ar thionscadail rochtana fóillíochta mara ar leith, faoi réir ag maoiniú ón Státchiste agus tosaíochtaí náisiúnta foriomlána.
Tá €2.5m i maoiniú ceadaithe agam d'Údaráis Áitiúla faoi Chlár 2017. An 3ú Feabhra 2017, iarradh ar Údaráis Áitiúla liostaí tosaíochta de thionscadail a chur aghaidh lena mbreithniú. Ba é an 17ú Feabhra an dáta deiridh ar glacadh le hiarratais. Tá an réamh-mheasúnú ar bun agus ina dhiaidh sin iarrfar ar Údaráis Áitiúla iarratais mhionshonraithe a chur ar aghaidh maidir leis na tionscadail a bheidh ar an ngearrliosta.
Táthar ag súil go gcuirfear na hÚdaráis Áitiúla ar an eolas faoi dheireadh mhí Márta maidir leis an tsraith deiridh tionscadal a gceadófar maoiniú dóibh faoi chlár na bliana seo.
290. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht le feirmeoir faoi scéim GLAS (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [10715/17]
View answerCeadaíodh an duine ainmnithe isteach in GLAS 1 agus an 1 Deireadh Fómhair 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 ar aird fadhb a bhain leis an mbeart Coimíneachta. Tá scrúdú déanta ag oifigigh na Roinne ar an bhfadhb agus tá sé tugtha ar aird acu nach bhfuil na Pleananna Eatramhacha Bainistíochta Coimíneachta (CMPanna) ar fad atá de dhíth maidir le roinnt de choimíneachtaí an té atá ainmnithe ná an Plean Eatramhach Feirme Coimíneachta curtha ar aghaidh fós. Ar na foirmeacha comhlíonta maidir leis na Pleananna Eatramhacha Coimíneachta a fháil déanfar iarratas an duine ainmnithe ar íocaíocht 2016 a phróiseáil.
291. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS payment will be paid to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10728/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
292. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the new WEEE agreement between retailers and his Department will be furnished to retailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10515/17]
View answerThere is no WEEE agreement between my Department and the retail sector. The important role that electrical and electronic equipment retailers play in the WEEE system in Ireland is underpinned by the obligations placed on such retailers by the European Union (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations 2014. These include the following legal requirements:
- Provide free in-store take back for customers buying new electrical equipment;
- Ensure that waste electrical products are stored and transported to an approved collection facility appropriately;
- Ensure that consumers of electrical equipment are aware of the take-back options available to them.
In order to enhance the volumes of WEEE being collected from retailers, an agreement between the retail sector and WEEE producer compliance schemes has been in place since 2014. Under the terms of this agreement, funding is being provided for safe storage, education and signage and communications to promote and support the recycling of electrical and electronic waste through the retail take back system.
While I understand that this agreement has recently been renewed, my Department is not a party to it and has no role in disseminating such an agreement to the retail sector.
293. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress being made to standardise electricity standing charges and unit costs and eliminating extra costs of electricity for rural consumers. [10597/17]
View answer296. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps envisaged in equalising electricity prices throughout the country and providing equal priced electricity to rural and urban consumers, in view of the reduction in cost of fuel for generating electricity over the past number of years outlined on RTE recently. [10596/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 296 together.
I have no statutory function in the setting or review of electricity or gas prices. Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) which is the independent energy regulator, as provided for in the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. Since April 2011 prices, including the standing charge, in the electricity market have been fully deregulated and business and domestic customers can, as a result, avail of competitive offerings from a number of suppliers.
The standing charge is a combination of the fixed charges associated with providing electricity network services (e.g. meter reading and network operations/maintenance) and a share of the supply costs in servicing customers’ electricity accounts. Standing charges vary from supplier to supplier and will be presented by the supplier under one of four classes of standing charges: Urban 24hr, Urban Nightsaver, Rural 24hr, Rural Nightsaver. The question of whether a property is urban or rural is determined by its location and is decided by ESB Networks. Rural customers pay a higher standing charge as it costs more to supply electricity to properties further away from the network.
The coverage referred to by the deputy may be of a report recently published by the CER entitled “Review of Competition in the Electricity and Gas Retail Markets: A Consumer Focused Assessment”, in line with its competition and consumer protection functions and reflecting a CER commitment in the energy policy White Paper. This report is available on its website as well as quarterly market monitoring reports. The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 provides for CER’s independence in the performance of its regulatory functions, and for its accountability for such performance to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas. Accordingly, I have no function in the areas referred to.
Competition in the energy market results in choice for consumers and businesses in terms of products and prices and suppliers exerting downward pressure on prices. Domestic customers can avail of discounts available, either by contacting their supplier directly or by using the accredited websites, www.bonkers.ie and www.switcher.ie, to switch to discounted tariffs. Recent figures published by the CER indicate the difference between the most expensive standard plan and least expensive discount plan in the electricity and gas market is €321 and €178 per annum respectively.
294. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if rises in domestic refuse collection charges and in particular the rise in recycling charges imposed by a company described in the communication from a person (details supplied) is lawful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10668/17]
View answerThe charges applied by waste management companies are matters for those companies and their customers, subject to compliance with all applicable environmental and other relevant legislation, including contract and consumer legislation. Any concerns relating to contract and consumer legislation should be directed to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
Notwithstanding the above and the fact that I have no role in setting the level of fees charged in the market, it is my understanding that the company concerned has voluntarily maintained a discounted price for certain customers; and though the level of that discount has now been reduced, such customers will still benefit from a lower price compared to the regular fees charged.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of pricing structures for household waste collection. Incentivised pricing for domestic waste aims to encourage people to prevent, reduce and segregate their waste, in order to reduce our impact on the environment and our reliance on landfill waste disposal. Encouraging people to reduce and recycle waste will be an important initiative in terms of helping to address the landfill capacity emergencies which occurred in 2016 as well as meeting our targets and obligations under current and future EU legislation. The review will consider more than one form of incentivised structures. It is also my intention that a comprehensive awareness and education campaign would be rolled out in advance of the introduction of any new incentivised system.
