Written Answers Nos. 1134-1156
1134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal in respect of the 2015 and 2016 areas of natural constraints scheme payments lodged on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in making a decision on this appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54447/17]
View answerApplications under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme for 2015 and 2016 were received from the above named person on 28th May 2015 and 28th April 2016 respectively. At the time of processing the applicant failed to meet the required stocking density which resulted in non payment. Following an appeal and receipt of supporting documentation, the case has now been reviewed and I am pleased to say payment will issue for both years in the coming weeks to the nominated bank account of the person name.
1135. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin scéim buníocaíochtaí agus faoi scéim na limistéar faoi shrianta nádúrtha le duine (sonraí tugtha) i gContae na Gaillimhe; cén fáth a bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54448/17]
View answerChuir an té atá ainmnithe iarratais isteach faoi Scéim na hÍocaíochta Bunúsaí 2017 (BPS) agus faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrianta Nádúrtha (ANC) an 10 Bealtaine 2017.
Léiríodh i litir dar dáta an 5 Nollaig 2017 a seoladh chuig an té atá ainmnithe gur lasadh píosaí talún a bhí fógartha aige ar a iarratas BPS agus dá bhrí sin nach raibh sé i dteideal íocaíochta faoin BPS. Léiríodh sa litir chomh maith na roghanna a bhí aige ina dhiaidh sin lena n-áirítear go raibh sé de cheart aige athbhreithniú a lorg. Má lorgaíonn an té atá ainmnithe athbhreithniú, ba chóir dó a chinntiú go gcuireann sé aon cháipéisí tacaíochta a mheasann sé a bheith tábhachtach isteach. Déanfaidh mo Roinnse na cáipéisí sin a athbhreithniú dá réir sin.
Tá Iarratais 2017 i leith na nÍocaíochtaí atá i gceist próiseáilte ag mo Roinnse, faoi na scéimeanna BPS agus ANC, gan na píosaí talún atá neamhcháilithe san áireamh, agus rinneadh na híocaíochtaí sin a íoc isteach sa chuntas bainc a bhí ainmnithe ag an duine ainmnithe dá réir sin an 14 agus an 19 Nollaig faoi seach.
1136. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an application under targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, II that has been lodged by 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. [54449/17]
View answerThe applicant in question submitted a payment claim under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II in September 2017. There were a number of issues with the claim which were resolved through direct contact with the applicant.
The issues arising have now been resolved and it is anticipated that the claim will be finalised for payment in a matter of days.
1137. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to the regional veterinary laboratory structure in each of the years from 2008 to 2017. [54473/17]
View answerFunding provided to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL) structure in each of the years 2008 to 2017:
|
Year |
Funding provided* €m |
|
2008 |
€4.612 |
|
2009 |
€4.576 |
|
2010 |
€4.368 |
|
2011 |
€3.969 |
|
2012 |
€4.310 |
|
2013 |
€4.445 |
|
2014 |
€4.263 |
|
2015 |
€4.330 |
|
2016 |
€4.689 |
|
2017 |
€4.736 |
*Figures are attributed to expenditure specific to the veterinary research budget (inclusive of laboratory consumables) and payroll costs (inclusive of ancillary costs) for the RVLs
1138. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to the bovine viral diarrhea, BVD, eradication scheme in each of the years from 2012 to 2017. [54474/17]
View answerThe National Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Eradication Programme is an industry-led programme delivered by Animal Health Ireland (AHI). A BVD Implementation Group (BVD IG) was formed in 2011 to take forward the planning and delivery of this programme. This group is comprised of Animal Health Ireland personnel, Veterinary Ireland nominees, farmer representatives and representatives of my Department.
My Department provides financial supports to farmers for the early removal of PI (persistently infected) calves within agreed timeframes under the national (BVD) Eradication Programme. The programme commenced with a voluntary year in 2012 and became compulsory on 1 January 2013. The total amount paid to farmers from 2012 to date amounted to €698,112, payments are generally made in respect of animals born and disposed of in the previous year. Payments issued in 2016 were in respect of animals born in both 2014 and 2015. The breakdown of payments by calendar year is as follows:
BVD Financial Supports 2012 - €11,400.00
BVD Financial Supports 2013 - €32,097.00
BVD Financial Supports 2014 - €84,047.00
BVD Financial Supports 2015 - €500.00
BVD Financial Supports 2016 - €344,888.00
BVD Financial Supports 2017 - €225,180.00
In addition, during the initial voluntary phase of the BVD Eradication Programme my Department also provided a direct payment to animal collectors towards the cost of disposal of P.I. calves at €15 per animal which amounted to €65,988.00.
1139. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to Teagasc for the purpose of training farmers in each of the years from 2008 to 2017. [54475/17]
View answerTeagasc has statutory responsibility for the provision of training, research and advisory services to the agri-food sector. Programmes and activities are developed in conjunction with clients and partners overseen by an Authority that is representative of the main stakeholder groups in the sector.
Teagasc training of farmers encompasses a wide variety of activities in terms of formal education courses, on-farm training and the provision of advice through its advisory services. It engages with 60,000 farmers annually, of which approximately 40,000 are contracted clients.
My Department provides Teagasc with a yearly block Grant in Aid subvention to support the delivery of its training, research and advisory services. The distribution of funding between services is an operational matter for Teagasc to determine.
The following table details Grant in Aid allocations from 2008 to 2017.
|
Year |
Funding provided |
|
2008 |
€139.964m |
|
2009 |
€131.927m |
|
2010 |
€126.165m |
|
2011 |
€132.156m |
|
2012 |
€128.460m |
|
2013 |
€121.838m |
|
2014 |
€119.210m |
|
2015 |
€121.639m |
|
2016 |
€126.780m |
|
2017 |
€128.130m |
Teagasc also earn own generated operational income from competitive research programmes, client fees for the provision of research, advisory and training services, EU research funding, farm operations etc.
Its overall operating budget for 2018 is an estimated €203m. Typically, some 40% of the yearly budget is devoted to research with the remainder split half and half between advisory and training services.
1140. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the compensation package for persons whose lands have been affected by the hen harrier issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54507/17]
View answerAt the outset, I would like to clarify that my Department has no role in the designation of lands. That function is exercised through the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The question of compensation does not arise, therefore, in the context of any schemes or measures introduced by my Department.
As regards the new Hen Harrier Programme, to which I presume the Deputy is referring, I should stress that this is a locally-led pilot project under the European Innovation Partnerships measure, which is not directly administered by my Department. The design and management of the programme are primarily matters for the local project team, who have consulted widely with farmers in designated areas in the development of the measures to be undertaken on the ground and associated payments.
I have provided a budget of €25 million for this new innovative agri-environment approach. This is in addition to the significant framework of support for farmers with hen-harrier designated land already in place through my Department's agri-environment scheme GLAS. Under GLAS, farmers with hen harrier habitat qualify for a payment of €370 per hectare and can earn up to €7,000 per annum through a combination of GLAS and GLAS Plus payments. The GLAS Hen Harrier action has proved hugely successful, with some 2,678 farmers now signed up. This accounts for almost 70% of all farmers with hen harrier habitat.
Response to the new locally-led programme has been similarly positive with nearly seven hundred applications received already. This programme targets in particular farmers managing large tracts of hen harrier habitat, and these can earn up to €5,000 a year or more depending on the actions undertaken and results achieved. For those already in GLAS, this can be in addition to payments currently drawn down under that scheme.
I regard both these interventions, fostered by my Department, as highly significant developments which will further the conservation of the bird as well as providing an important additional income stream for farmers in designated areas.
1142. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuarthas comhfhreagras a seoladh chuig an Bhord Achomhairc um Cheadúnais Dobharshaothraithe agus ina gcuirtear in iúl don Bhord an imní agus an díomá atá ar choiste faoi cheadúnas a ceadaíodh i gContae Dún na nGall (sonraí tugtha); cathain a eiseofar freagra scríofa; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54572/17]
View answerI gcomhréir leis an ngnáthchleachtas, chuir an Bord Achomhairc um Cheadúnais Dobharshaothraithe (BACD) in iúl don Roinn go bhfuair sé achomhairc i gcoinne an chinnidh ceadúnas dobharshaothraithe a cheadú chun oisrí a shaothrú ag láithreán ar Thrá na Brád, Co. Dhún na nGall, dá dtagraítear ag an Teachta Dála.
Comhlacht neamhspleách reachtúil is ea an BACD ar cuireadh ar bun é chun cinntí a dhéanamh maidir le hachomhairc i gcoinne cinntí um cheadúnú dobharshaothraithe. Tá meas á dhéanamh ag an Bhord faoi láthair ar na hachomhairc dá dtagraítear ag an Teachta Dála mar chuid de phróiseas reachtúil agus, mar sin, bheadh sé míchuí focal eile a rá faoin ábhar sin sula gcuirfear an próiseas i gcrích.
1143. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé ar intinn scéim GLAS a athoscailt le haghaidh iarratais nua ag féachaint do na daoine a bheidh ag críochnú i scéim AEOS i mbliana agus don easpa caiteachais ar an bplean forbartha tuaithe go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54573/17]
View answerComhlíonadh cheana féin an sprioc chun 50,000 rannpháirtí GLAS a fhaomhadh faoi dheireadh na bliana 2018, atá leagtha amach sa Chlár um Fhorbairt Tuaithe (CFT) 2014 - 2020. Is éacht suntasach é do na feirmeoirí agus don Roinn seo gur comhlíonadh sprioc an CFT beagnach dhá bhliain roimh an spriocdháta, agus léiríonn sé go bhfuil feirmeoirí na hÉireann tiomanta d'fhás inbhuanaithe earnáil agraibhia na tíre amach anseo.
Níl sé beartaithe againn an scéim a oscailt arís. Táim ag díriú anois ar phróiseáil na n-íocaíochtaí leis na rannpháirtithe sin, agus tá gach éinne sa Roinn ag obair go dian ar na réamhíocaíochtaí sin ó 2017 a dhéanamh sna seachtainí seo chugainn. Tá an scéim GLAS ar cheann de líon mór scéimeanna CFT agus ní féidir breithniú ar aon scéim a oscailt arís ach mar chuid de bhuiséad foriomlán CFT, ar buiséad é atá tiomanta go hiomlán faoi láthair.
Feicim go hiomlán roimh ré, bunaithe ar an roghnú agus ar na réamh-mheastacháin reatha, go ndéanfar leithdháileadh iomlán buiséid an Chláir um Fhorbairt Tuaithe, sin timpeall €4 bhilliún, a chaitheamh, agus go dtarraingeofar anuas an cómhaoiniú AE iomlán de €2.19 billiún.
1144. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on developing new agri-export markets in south-east Asia, including increased Bord Bia representation in the region, as recommended in a 2015 report of the Committee of Public Accounts. [54610/17]
View answerI am very pleased that in 2017 Irish agri-food exports recorded their 8th consecutive year of growth to reach an estimated €13.5 billion. One of my key priorities is to further increase the market opportunity for Irish food and drinks internationally, particularly in South East Asia, a region with favourable demographics and rising incomes. This principle of market development is already a key component of Food Wise 2025, but is particularly important now in the context of Brexit.
In February 2017, I met with Ambassadors and diplomats from the ten South East Asia member countries of the ASEAN Economic Community. I highlighted the fact that the value and volume of trade in agri products to ASEAN countries is already significant, and that there is considerable potential for further growth in the future. I reiterated Ireland’s commitment to furthering these important trading relationships. The ambassadors were interested to hear of Ireland’s plans under Food Wise 2025 to grow its agri-food exports to €19 billion by 2025.
In November 2017 I led a week-long Government of Ireland agri food trade mission to Japan and South Korea, accompanied by Department officials, Bord Bia and representatives of industry. Over five days I met with four Senior Ministers in two major economies, was in the boardrooms of five multi-billion euro companies, and attended thirteen separate promotional events attended by over 400 Japanese and Korean buyers.
Currently Ireland has access to export beef & pigmeat to Japan and work is underway in relation to removing the certificate condition which allows only beef from cattle under 30 months of age to be exported to Japan. Market access for sheepmeat is also being sought. In the case of South Korea, Ireland has already access for pigmeat and continues the process of pursuing market access for beef, where we are one of the most advanced Member States.
While questions relating to Bord Bia staffing and representation abroad are a matter for Bord Bia, I am pleased that in 2016 Bord Bia recruited a market manager for South East Asia. While co-located with the Irish Embassy in Singapore, he has a broad remit for a number of South East Asian countries and had a key role in relation to the aforementioned Trade Mission. My Department continues to work closely with Bord Bia in relation to developing new export markets.
1145. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants and supports, including marketing, available to assist indigenous craft beer brewers and distilleries. [54611/17]
View answerFood Wise 2025 recognises the huge growth potential of craft and micro-brewing and spirit drink production and there has been remarkable development in this sector in the last few years. In this regard, there are a number of sources of grant aid and other supports provided by Government to indigenous craft beer brewers and distilleries.
Marketing and promotional support for indigenous brewers and distillers is available from Bord Bia including the Thinking House initiative which offers Research & Development facilities to new business startups in the food and drinks industry.
Grant assistance is available from Enterprise Ireland (EI) for the development of new breweries and distilleries through the Job Expansion Fund and the Capital Investment Funding schemes.
In addition, the Government has provided support for craft and microbreweries through the tax system. As part of Budget 2017, the excise duty relief for microbreweries was increased to 40,000 hectolitres per annum while the previous Budget allowed this tax relief upfront instead of as a tax rebate, as was previously the case.
Funding may also be available to craft brewers and distillers through the LEADER programme.
1146. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the work of the national dairy forum set up following the abolition of EU milk quotas. [54612/17]
View answerAs the Deputy knows, the Dairy Forum was established in 2015 to act as a vehicle for constructive engagement on issues of strategic importance to the dairy sector. This Forum has met five times to date, and has provided a useful platform for discussion on issues such as market developments, sustainability, animal health, milk quality, price volatility, cashflow and access to finance, labour, and CAP policy.
The prospects for and ongoing development of the dairy sector are of course affected by economic, demographic, climate, currency and other factors which are outside the control of participants in the forum. However, I regard it as critically important that the policy responses to these challenges are informed by positive collaborative engagement among stakeholders, and I very much look forward to continued cooperation through the forum in the future. The next Forum will be scheduled to address issues as they arise. My Department and I are committed to working with all players in the sector to ensure that we have a sustainable dairy sector going forward.
1147. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied) for GLAS and BPS; the reason the payments are delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54678/17]
View answerWhere the Department is served with court orders, including Orders of Garnishee and orders for the appointment of receivers by way of equitable execution, the Department takes all necessary steps to comply with the specific terms of such orders.
My Department is aware of an agreement in place through the courts between the plaintiff and person named and I can confirm that the 2017 payment due to the court order from the Basic Payment Scheme was issued on 15 November, 2017. All other scheme payments which fell due during 2017 have been paid to the person named.
The balance of his 2017 BPS payment only became payable on 3 January, 2018. The application of the terms of the agreement supplied to my Department are unclear and it is now necessary to seek clarification from the Solicitors for the Plaintiff in this regard.
1149. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a 2016 green bio-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, payment; the reason for non-payment; the reason for the delay in issuing payment; when payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54744/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
A Department inspection took place on this case during which an issue was identified. All issues have now been resolved and the case has been cleared for payment. GLAS payments are now issuing on a weekly basis.
1150. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the name and number of organisations here that are in receipt of funding from his Department that have expended resources seeking the repeal of the eighth amendment; the amount of funding these organisations have received from the State in the last five years; the amount of money they have spent on this particular campaign during that time; the number of organisations here that are in receipt of funding from his Department that have expended resources seeking the retention of the eighth amendment; the amount of funding these organisations have received from the State in the last five years; and the amount of money they have spent on this particular campaign during that time. [54758/17]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not provided funding to any organisation that has expended resources seeking either the repeal or the retention of the Eight Amendment.
1151. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is seeking affidavits from persons who have had their single farm payments held up due to mountain fires; his plans to ensure all persons are paid in view of the fact that this method is both unworkable and unthinkable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54976/17]
View answerWhere land has been burned between the period of 1 March and 31 August of any given year, it is not eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). My Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery.
Applicants who do not remove ineligible features, such as land burned during the period 1 March to 31 August, from their BPS applications, may have an over claim(s). Such over claims have occurred in relation to a number of 2017 BPS applicants who have declared burnt land.
These BPS applicants have been written to detailing the current position in relation to their applications and the options available to them, including the right to seek a review. Those seeking a review have been advised to submit any documentation that they deem relevant which will then be reviewed by my Department.
My Department is not specifically seeking affidavits from the BPS applicants that have been written to. However, should an affidavit be submitted, it will be considered accordingly.
1152. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a basic payment scheme payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55005/17]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 4 April 2017. 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 inspection.
The inspection process identified an over-declaration in area and a letter detailing the initial inspection findings issued to the person named on 20th September 2017. Comments were received from the person named and a field visit was undertaken to determine the position on the ground. The outcome of this process increased the area of the over-declaration and a letter detailing the revised inspection findings issued to the person named on 5th December 2017.
Further comments on the revised inspection findings were received from the person named and were examined by officials in my Department. The outcome was that the revised inspection findings remain unchanged. The person named was notified of this outcome by letter dated 9th January 2018. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with this outcome a review can be sought from the Remote Sensing Section of my Department.
Payment due under the Basic Payment Scheme, taking account of the over-declaration in area, issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 11th January 2018.
1153. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the dumping of silt off Doonsheane Head, Dingle, County Kerry, will be urgently investigated (details supplied); if the silt will be disposed of 2 km out to sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55027/17]
View answerDingle Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. The disposal at sea referred to is associated with Capital Dredging Works being carried out by the Department at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre, to improve navigation channel access to the pier and to improve vessel manoeuvrability within the harbour area.
The disposal of dredged materials at sea has been subject of a licence application and subsequent approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the appropriate statutory authority for approval of disposal at sea operations. The licensing process included a statutory public consultation period for observations to be submitted to the EPA. Notice of the application was published in the Kerryman newspaper on 29 March 2017 and details of the application, including details of studies, investigations and reports associated with the application are available on the EPA website at www.http://epa.ie.
The licence was granted by the EPA on 30 November 2017.
The disposal at sea will be confined to the limits of a dumpsite specified in the licence, the exact co-ordinates of which are detailed in the licence, as issued. The co-ordinates and a map of the dump site are available at www.http://epa.ie.
The Department has been made aware of some concern regarding the dumpsite and has been in contact with the concerned parties and is keeping them informed.
1154. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal by a person (details supplied) to the weather-related crop loss scheme will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55076/17]
View answerAn application under the Weather Related Crop Loss Measure was received from the person named on 23 August 2017. Following processing of the application and initial direct contact with the applicant, the application was deemed not eligible as no proof of off-farm sales was submitted.
Accordingly, a letter was issued to the applicant outlining this and an official from my Department was in further direct contact to outline the details required to progress this application. My Department will continue to process this application with a view to an early resolution.
1155. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons waiting for their 2016 applications for all relevant schemes to be processed; the monetary value of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55110/17]
View answer1156. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons waiting for their 2017 applications for all relevant schemes to be processed; the monetary value of the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55111/17]
View answer1158. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes in his Department that were behind schedule on expenditure at the end of November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55113/17]
View answer1160. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been recovered from persons in all relevant schemes in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the areas to which this money is then allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55115/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1155, 1156, 1158 and 1160 together.
The information requested in questions 55110/17; 55111/17; 55113/17 and 55115/17 is not readily available. The information is being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
