Written Answers Nos. 493-510
493. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he has considered appointing a CEO over all the drug and alcohol task forces nationally in order to ensure a universal and common approach to policy, finance, spending, administration and other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23344/17]
View answerGovernment policy on tackling the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016. The Strategy is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery, which requires a coordinated response to tackling the drug problem, involving the statutory, community and voluntary sectors.
As the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee has been established to advise me on the development of a new National Drugs Strategy from 2017 onwards. The Committee has been mandated to develop an integrated public health approach to substance misuse.
The Department is currently developing a performance measurement framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, which should provide a more objective way of targeting funding allocations, having regard to the drugs situation and demographic factors in Task Force areas. This work will feed into the new Strategy and help to ensure that in future resources are directed towards communities facing a higher risk of substance misuse.
I expect the Steering Committee to submit its final report, which will include proposed new governance structures, to me shortly. It would not be appropriate for me to consider issues relating to governance and oversight of Drug and Alcohol Task forces in advance of receiving and considering the Steering Group's Report.
494. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department decided to change the eligibility criteria to the national reserve; if it was compelled to do so by the EU Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22680/17]
View answerIn accordance with EU Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, Member States may define additional eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills, experience or education. To ensure that the benefits of the ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ categories are targeted at those who have a genuine interest in farming as a career, Ireland included agricultural education at FETAC level 6 standard or its equivalent as a requirement to qualify for the schemes. Under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmer scheme Ireland introduced increased flexibility in order to maximise the number of eligible applicants into the schemes and students of agricultural education were included if otherwise eligible. However this flexibility did not receive the approval of the EU Commission. Therefore, successful applicants under the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme must have completed their agricultural educational qualification by 15 May 2017.
Where an applicant has fully completed all aspects of their course by 15th May but has not yet been verified as successful or received final certification, a Confirmation of Education Form should be submitted with the young farmer’s application. This form is available to download on the Department’s website. The form is to be filled out by a representative of the college to confirm that the applicant has fully completed all aspects of the course by the 15th May 2017.
Decisions in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, including educational qualifications, are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies, and agricultural education and advisory services. Full Terms and Conditions of the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme are available on my Department’s website.
495. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and when this payment will be made. [22685/17]
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.
The 2015 balancing payment checking indicated that the holding has an open BPS error and the GLAS payment cannot be processed until this issue is resolved. This is now being investigated. Once it is resolved the application will be further processed for GLAS payment.
496. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; when this will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22694/17]
View answerThe Organic Farm Scheme payment for the person concerned is currently being processed and payment will issue shortly.
497. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22765/17]
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 2016 prepayment checking established that the interim commonage form issued to the person named had not been signed and returned as required to support payment. This form has now re-issued to the assigned Commonage Advisor and when it is completed and returned by the person named the application will be further processed for payment.
498. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22766/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015.
During the 2015 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to Low Input Permanent Pasture checks. Department officials have examined this issue and the application will now be further processed for the 2015 payment.
When the 2015 payment has issued processing of payment in respect of 2016 will commence.
499. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS appeal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22815/17]
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 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to Traditional Orchards action check. Department Officials are in contact with the applicant in an effort to resolve this issue.
500. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Brexit negotiations include a request for increased quota and support funding for fishing in view of the fact Ireland will be the most affected EU member state when British waters and quota are removed from the EU; if the Common Fisheries Policy quota and supports to 2020 will be increased in these circumstances; if he envisages quota and supports increasing post-2020; and if he will allocate funding to fishers in the absence of an EU increase in quota and supports. [22861/17]
View answerAt this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry as we don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
The most serious issue facing the fishing and seafood sector is the kind of relationship the UK wants with the EU in terms of fisheries post-exit. When we have more clarity regarding what kind of relationship the UK wants, we will work closely with our EU partners in trying to seek a new relationship with the UK.
The UK could seek to limit access to their waters and/or try to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK were content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.
Any attempt by the UK to alter the status quo at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be, resisted strenuously.
It is important to note that the negotiations that will take place over the next few years are not a renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The CFP remains in place and will be reviewed in the normal way from 2019. The current Common Fisheries Policy came into force on the 1st of January 2014. The European Commission are obliged to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the current Policy before 31st of December, 2022.
In the normal course of events, it would be expected that the Commission would begin the process of review by publishing a Green Paper followed by a public consultation at least 2/3 years prior to December 2022. However, that possible timetable may well be impacted by the Brexit negotiations.
In the immediate future, it is the Brexit negotiations that will be my absolute priority. When the review of the CFP does begin, I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will, as always, be fully engaged to ensure the best possible outcome for our fisheries sector and the coastal communities reliant upon it.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
The overall EU budget available for the EU seafood sector in the next funding period will be the subject of future budget negotiations between the EU institutions. In the absence of the UK, the overall budget of the Union is likely to be lower, so difficult negotiations can be expected. The relative share of the EU seafood funding is determined by the Commission having regard to criteria specified in the EMFF Regulation and new criteria will be set out in a new funding regulation. These criteria will be an important focus of Ireland’s negotiating position for the next programming period and I will be seeking to ensure that they reflect Ireland’s needs.
I am and will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as all of these issues develop and will continue to work with them to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations for both the UK’s exit from the EU and the subsequent CFP reform.
501. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a land eligibility review for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22863/17]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 2 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 resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, this has resulted in no payment being due under that scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments. The person named is not entitled to a payment under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme as they do not hold any eligible entitlements.
The person named was notified of the outcome of the inspection on 28 November 2016 and has sought a review of the inspection findings. This request is currently being examined and the person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
502. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a TAMS 2 payment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the reason for the delay in issuing payment. [22866/17]
View answerThe applicant in question has submitted a payment claim under the Young Farmers' Capital Investment measure under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II).
A query was raised in relation to one aspect of the claim submitted. This has now been resolved and payment of the claim will issue shortly.
503. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 2 March 2017, the status of an appeal regarding the appointment of a planner to a commonage (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22873/17]
View answerThe appeal was referred to the Commonage Implementation Committee and their recommendation has been received by my Department. The recommendation is currently being acted upon and parties concerned are being notified in writing of the outcome.
504. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an additional €25 million of funding for areas of natural constraint in 2018, as committed to in the programme for Government. [22894/17]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018. This commitment will form part of the Budget 2018 discussions, in parallel to the ongoing redesign of the scheme required by EU regulations.
505. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will restore funding for areas of natural constraint to pre-2008 levels in view of Brexit and the review of the areas of natural constraint scheme. [22895/17]
View answerUnder the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation 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 working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the EU Commission in relation to technical issues arising. Over the coming months this analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
In parallel to the above process, the Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the commitment to increase the budget for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme by €25m in Budget 2018.
506. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the clean-up operation at a site (details supplied); and if moneys for the clean-up are ring-fenced as previously guaranteed. [22917/17]
View answerThe remediation of the former Irish Steel/ISPAT site at Haulbowline Island in Cork forms part of Ireland's Programme of Measures to address the judgment in April 2005 of the European Court of Justice against Ireland in Case C494/01. This commitment has been underpinned by Government decisions, including the allocation of a dedicated total budget of €61m for the island remediation project.
To that end, Cork County Council, acting as agents on my behalf, have been engaged in a range of preparatory works at Haulbowline since 2012 including extensive site exploration works, road and bridge repair and securing the appropriate planning and licensing permits.
A preferred tenderer for the primary East Tip works has recently been identified by Cork County Council. Owing to the multi-annual funding required for this contract of works I have sought the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in order to enter into a multi-annual contract for the East Tip.
The funding for the remediation works at Haulbowline, which form part of my Department's Vote, continue to be ring fenced for the sole purpose of the remediation works being carried out at Haulbowline Island.
507. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2016 AEOS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23008/17]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued in respect of the 2011-2015 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. As 2016 is the final scheme-year of payment for AEOS 2 contracts, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payments can be processed. This process is ongoing and payments are issuing in cases cleared for payment on a weekly basis. All outstanding cases will be finalised as soon as possible.
508. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the final areas of natural constraint, ANC, map will be produced; the average income of farmers in the previous ANC zone in counties Meath and Westmeath; and if all areas in the pre-existing ANC zones in counties Meath and Westmeath will be kept in the new ANC zone. [23060/17]
View answerUnder the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme there were 1,240 and 2,619 beneficiaries in Counties Meath and Westmeath respectively with payments to the value of €2,214,486 and €4,778,729 issuing. In Meath this represents an average ANC payment of €1,785, with an average payment of €1,824 in Westmeath.
Under the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. From 2018 eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation 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 working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the EU Commission in relation to technical issues arising. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
509. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23126/17]
View answerThe participation rates in the GLAS Scheme are in excess of 50,000 farmers following the third tranche, GLAS 3. This exceeds the target set out for the Scheme in Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. There are no further tranches of the scheme planned.
510. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23137/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process a commonage issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed with a view to issuing payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
