Tuesday, 23 Jan 2018

Maternity Services Provision

Questions (430, 431)

Mick Barry

Question:

430. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to account for the quality of care they provided to a person (details supplied). [3483/18]

View answer

Mick Barry

Question:

431. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to provide prompt and adequate support for pregnant women that suffer a condition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3484/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 431 together.

I understand that officials in my Department have contacted the Deputy's office and have sought additional information and clarification to enable the HSE address this query appropriately. Receipt of the requested information will enable the HSE to respond to these two questions, and Question No. 225 posed on 18 January, all of which concern service matters.

Control of Horses

Questions (432, 433)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

432. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by An Garda Síochána to ensure that section 37 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 is being properly enforced in order to deter horse owners from using canals, public fields and sides of roads to keep horses on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3441/18]

View answer

Róisín Shortall

Question:

433. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken by local authorities to ensure that section 37 of the Control of Horses Act 1996 is being properly enforced in order to deter horse owners from using canals, public fields and sides of roads to keep horses on; the funding which is provided for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3442/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.

The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to Local Authorities to deal with stray and abandoned horses and for the designation by each Local Authority, via byelaws that are appropriate to the respective functional areas, of control areas in which horses cannot be kept without a licence. Members of An Garda Síochána have also been assigned powers commensurate with those of Authorised Officers under the Act. Officials of my Department regularly assist the Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána in their operations where animals have been welfare compromised.

My Department provides financial assistance towards the expenses incurred by the Local Authorities in operation of the Act, namely in seizing straying horses or horses causing a danger to persons or property. Details of such funding for the period 2013 to 2017, as currently held by my Department, is provided in the following table.

Separately, my Department also provides funding for the development of new structures to provide shelter for the urban horse population with the aim of reducing the number of straying animals and encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses.

My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care.

City/County Co's	Expenditure 2013	Expenditure 2014	Expenditure 2015	Expenditure 2016	Expenditure 2017	Seizures 2013	Seizures 2014	Seizures 2015	Seizures 2016	**Seizures 2017
Carlow Co. Council	€ 79,077	€ 44,011	€ 18,600	€ 32,725	€ 8,100	82	95	69	76	15
Cavan Co. Council		€ 100	€ 2,920	€ 1,425	€ 100	0	3	25	4	1
Clare Co. Council	€ 68,437	€ 12,243	€ 22,437	€ 6,375	€ 5,575	47	35	47	11	16
Cork Co. Council	€ 113,993	€ 90,988	€ 43,700	€ 29,375	€ 23,475	227	176	155	91	65
Cork City Council	€ 75,014	€ 43,271	€ 13,209	€ 16,152	€ 11,950	173	87	54	47	30
Donegal Co. Council	€ 29,070	€ 12,600	€ 2,440	€ 5,100	€ 2,425	40	13	10	19	9
Dublin City Council	€ 239,471	€ 158,135	€ 58,900	€ 59,825	€ 48,920	332	328	145	193	85
Sth Dublin Co. Council	€ 220,583	€ 196,683	€ 90,200	€ 103,625	€ 71,882	322	469	231	266	176
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown Co Council	€ 41,468	€ 10,600	€ 10,425	€ 10,350	€ 2,650	61	19	25	29	6
Fingal Co. Council	€ 65,889	€ 101,725	€ 45,400	€ 47,375	€ 64,200	117	206	145	161	134
Galway City Council		€ 92,346				0	28	81	64	6
Galway Co. Council	€ 282,082		€ 35,400	€ 10,410	€ 6,075	327	239	94	40	26
Kerry Co. Council	€ 41,241	€ 13,334	€ 5,325	€ 9,375	€ 6,375	37	19	24	28	12
Kildare Co. Council	€ 160,256	€ 189,945	€ 79,875	€ 78,801	€ 42,963	322	465	273	155	90
Kilkenny Co. Council	€ 81,907	€ 39,659	€ 33,750	€ 17,575	€ 4,750	99	89	75	52	14
Laois Co. Council	€ 184,868	€ 106,861	€ 31,800	€ 30,675	€ 11,925	215	213	111	66	42
Leitrim Co. Council	€ 8,142	€ 27,700	€ 4,575	€ 3,430	€ 1,850	20	76	26	16	9
Limerick Co. Council	€ 115,937					130	109	0	0	0
Limerick City Council	€ 208,500					222	304	0	0	0
Limerick City and County		€ 202,192	€ 141,003	€ 83,465	€ 56,300	0	0	343	209	117
Longford Co. Council	€ 8,480	€ 9,400	€ 7,175	€ 5,300	€ 1,975	25	56	41	19	20
Louth Co. Council	€ 63,217	€ 31,051	€ 11,900	€ 5,450	€ 7,150	145	91	43	23	32
Mayo Co. Council	€ 92,479	€ 152,253		€ 5,569	€ 1,400	202	339	0	0	2
Meath Co. Council	€ 90,448	€ 48,425	€ 33,465	€ 20,625	€ 15,600	175	107	40	80	51
Monaghan Co. Council	€ 27,947	€ 20,972	€ 18,762	€ 5,850	€ 2,140	96	66	35	29	11
Offaly Co. Council	€ 35,101	€ 66,848	€ 35,700	€ 24,000	€ 28,500	60	162	101	66	46
Roscommon Co. Council	€ 106,549	€ 66,888				235	64	0	0	0
Sligo Co. Council	€ 39,733	€ 28,500	€ 1,050	€ 1,875	€ 38,375	89	160	14	19	4
Tipperary (North Riding) Co. Council	€ 60,385	€ 68,625	€ 51,200			92	193	54	0	0
Tipperary (South Riding) Co. Council	€ 73,598	€ 64,500	€ 23,425			123	131	43	0	0
Tipperary Co. Council				€ 47,775	€ 31,250	0	0	55	129	66
Waterford Co. Council	€ 23,315	€ 10,251	€ 450	€ 3,375		18	26	13	0	0
Waterford City Council	€ 47,284	€ 19,985	€ 1,740			60	34	19	0	0
Waterford City & County Council			€ 10,088	€ 4,950	€ 7,375	0	0	7	32	10
Westmeath Co. Council	€ 77,723	€ 45,502	€ 18,786	€ 10,644	€ 10,410	115	81	61	50	32
Wexford Co. Council	€ 76,992	€ 104,244	€ 29,075	€ 24,800	€ 9,275	162	187	86	89	25
Wicklow Co. Council	€ 186,416	€ 168,402	€ 70,084	€ 18,900	€ 10,875	357	253	138	65	25
Totals	€ 3,025,599	€ 2,248,236	€ 952,860	€ 725,171	€ 533,839	4,727	4,923	2,683	2,128	1,177

** These figures have not been finalised, based on latest available to DAFM.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (434)

Martin Kenny

Question:

434. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals and reviews with his Department by year in which the appeal or review was lodged and the scheme to which it relates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2823/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The statistics requested for the number of appeals received by the Agriculture Appeals Office by scheme by year for the years 2013 to 2017 are included in Table 1.

The statistics requested for the number of requests for reviews received by the Agriculture Appeals Office by scheme by year for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017 are included in Table 2. The information requested regarding the number of requests for reviews received by the Office by scheme and by year for the years 2013 and 2014 is not readily available and is currently being collated by the Agriculture Appeals Office. A reply will issue directly to the Deputy with the details of the requests for reviews received in 2013 and 2014.

Table 1
Number of appeals per scheme per year received in AAO - 2013 to 2017
Scheme ID	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
AEOS/OFS	2	2
Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme		2	5	14	15
Agri-Environment Options Scheme	155	86	62	114	39
Areas of Natural Constraint			3	52	41
Basic Payment Scheme			7	28	30
Basic Payment Scheme/ANC Inspection				70
Beef Data Genomics Programme			37	51	110
Beef Data Programme	14	28	14
Beef Genomics Scheme			5
Bio Energy Scheme	2	2	4
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Scheme			1
BPS - Admin - Nitrates					30
BPS - National Reserve					79
BPS - Review of Entitlements 2015					11
BPS - Scottish Derrogation Scheme - 2015					47
BPS/ANC - Cross Compliance					58
BTAP	2	1
Burren Farming for Conservation Programme	1
Dairy Equipment Scheme	3	16	1
Dairy Equipment Scheme (TAMS)	1
Development of the Organic Sector Scheme	4
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme	16	29	42	7	1
Early Retirement from Farming Scheme	6	6	4
EU Basic Payment and Areas of Natural Constraints			1
Farm Improvement Scheme	1
Farm Safety Scheme			5
Farm Waste Management Scheme	4	1			1
Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS)					1
Forest Road Scheme			1	1	1
GLAS			4	60	79
Grant-Aid for Development of Organic Sector		1
Grant-Aid for the Dev. Of the Organic Sector				3
Grassland Sheep Scheme		2	4
Greening Payment					4
Installation Aid Scheme	3
Native Woodland Scheme					1
Non-Valuation Aspects of Reactor Scheme	7	5	2		6
Organic Farming Scheme	16	11	10	18	6
Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)	109	72	80	23	7
Scheme not on our Schedule			1	15	2
SFPS - Consolidation of Entitlements	3		3
SFPS - Cross Compliance - Nitrates 2014					1
SFPS - Cross-compliance	159	88	69	30	12
SFPS - Cross-compliance NITRATES	197	144	158	37
SFPS - Late submission of applications	24	13	7
SFPS - Other	11	9	2		1
SFPS - Over declaration of land/setaside	43	62	64	13	3
SFPS - Surrender of unused entitlements to Nat Res	22	11	1	1
SFPS - Transfer of Entitlements	2	3	10	3	4
SFPS - Under declaration of land	1	4	1
SFPS - Value of Entitlements				1
Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme	2	7	5
Sheep Welfare Scheme - 2017					11
Single Farm Payment Scheme 2014					1
Sow Housing (Animal Welfare)		2
Suckler Welfare Scheme	76	3	1
TAMS - Dairy Equipment Scheme				5
TAMS - Farm Safety Scheme				5	1
TAMS - Dairy Equipment Scheme			1
TAMS - Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equip. Scheme			3	9
TAMS II - Animal Welfare, Safety & Nutrient				1	2
TAMS II - Dairy Equipment Scheme			1		3
TAMS II - Low-Emission Slurry Spreading					1
TAMS II - Organic Capital Investment Scheme					1
TAMS II - Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme				2
TAMS II - Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme				7	9
Woodland Improvement Scheme					2
Young Farmers Scheme				28	17
Grand Total	886	610	619	598	638

Table 2
Number of requests for reviews received per scheme per year - 2015, 2016 and 2017
Scheme	2015	2016	2017
Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme			2
Agri-Environment Options Scheme	2	4	9
Areas of Natural Constraint		2	1
Basic Payment Scheme			5
Basic Payment Scheme/ANC Cross Compliance		1	2
BPS - Review of Entitlements			1
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme	1	1	1
GLAS		1
Non-Valuation Aspects of Reactor Scheme	1	1
Organic Farm Scheme			1
Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)		4	2
BPS Scottish Derrogation			1
Single Farm Payment Scheme			2
SFPS - Cross-compliance	9	14	6
SFPS - Cross-compliance NITRATES	1	3	2
SFPS - Over declaration of land/setaside	6	8	3
SFPS - Under Declaration of land/setaside	1
SFPS - Value of Entitlements			1
TAMS - Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equip. Scheme		1
Young Farmers Scheme			2
Grand Total	21	40	41

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (435)

Martin Kenny

Question:

435. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding is set aside for appeals and reviews that are with his Department's appeals office should they be successful; if so, the monetary value of these appeals and reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Specific funding is not set aside in respect of cases which are subject to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. Any payments which may arise where appeals are successful are made from the funds allocated to the relevant schemes.

Nitrates Usage

Questions (436)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

436. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persons who have the low-emission slurry spreading, LESS, scheme as one of their actions in the GLAS programme and who have slatted sheds with full tanks may use the rain gun; if he will extend the slurry season to accommodate these persons whose land is currently too wet to facilitate the spreading of slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2851/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Water Regulations it is not permitted to apply slurry by means of a rain gun or an upward trajectory splash-plate as these application methods do not provide for an efficient and accurate application of slurry. Slurry may only be applied by means of a downward trajectory splash-plate or by low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment.

Implementation of the Nitrates Directive falls under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Under the Directive, closed periods are required for the application of chemical and also organic fertiliser such as slurry. Under Ireland’s NAP the closed period for the spreading of slurry commences on 15 October and ends between 12–31 January, depending on location.

Research, including that from the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), has found that there are disproportionate high nutrient losses to waters during winter months when grass and crop growth has ceased and high rainfall is a probability. The current closed period coincides with the time when the risks of losses to water are the highest. The closed period was agreed after extensive public consultation including discussions with farming bodies.

There is no flexibility as regards the dates of the closed period.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (437)

John Deasy

Question:

437. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payments under the basic payment scheme and GLAS for a person (details supplied) have not been issued; his plans to ensure that the issues are dealt with in order to allow payment to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application in respect of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 3 May 2017. Advance payment issued to the person named on 16th October. Processing of this application is now complete and the balancing payment has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received all payments in respect of 2015 and 2016.

Each GLAS claim must clear all validation checks before the 2017 advance payment can be made. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks required in this case. Once this case clears the validations, the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (438)

Pat Breen

Question:

438. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2994/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application in respect of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was received from the person named on 18 April 2017. An advance payment in respect of the eligible land declared issued on 16 October with the balancing payment issuing on 1 December 2017.

In addition to the eligible land on which payment has been made, the application also includes a declaration of afforested land. Under EU Regulations, land which was afforested since 2009 will be eligible to draw down a BPS payment provided that certain requirements are met. In particular farmers who afforest part of their holding from 2009 onwards and wish to benefit under the BPS must retain at least 10% of the eligible hectares declared in 2008 (by the farmer or their predecessor) in an agricultural activity subject to a minimum of 3 hectares. This requirement has been outlined annually in the BPS Terms & Conditions booklet circulated to all farmers.

As the person named did not retain the required 10% of the hectares declared in an agricultural activity the recently afforested land is not eligible to draw down payment under the BPS.

GLAS Payments

Questions (439)

Pat Breen

Question:

439. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2996/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received payments in respect of the 2015 scheme year as well as the 2016 advance payment.

An inspection was carried out in relation to the GLAS participation of the above mentioned. Once the issues relating to the inspection have been finalised the case will move forward for payment.

The above named have also been advised that, if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of the inspection, they have the option to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (440)

Pat Breen

Question:

440. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applications received from the person named under the 2014 Single Farm Payment, the 2015 and 2016 Basic Payment Schemes have been reviewed. The payment due under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme issued on 19 January. A supplementary payment due under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme will issue in the coming weeks to the nominated bank account of the person named.

An official from my Department has been in touch with the person named to clarify the position.

GLAS Payments

Questions (441)

Pat Breen

Question:

441. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3002/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.

Administrative checks take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear these checks before payment can issue.

This case has now cleared all validation checks and the 2017 advance payment will issue shortly. GLAS 2017 advance payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.

GLAS Data

Questions (442)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

442. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of GLAS applications that were scheduled for payment in 2017 that have not issued; the number of these applications which were received from persons in County Mayo; the average time for processing such applications; the general issues that cause applications to be delayed and-or extend beyond this time in County Mayo and nationally, respectively, in tabular form; the average length of time that the delays add to such applications; when outstanding GLAS payments in County Mayo will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3012/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

GLAS payments cannot issue until all regulatory requirements are met. 2017 advance payments commenced on schedule in November 2017.

Each GLAS payment claim must be put through a suite of checks for each action and where any individual check fails the issues must be investigated and resolved before being cleared for payment. Applications are not processed on a geographic basis and payments are issuing weekly as cases are cleared for payment. In addition to the checks outlined above, in approximately 3,000 of the outstanding cases, applicants remain ineligible for payment until they complete the steps they must take before the Department can process their payment. The general issues preventing payments taking place include the non-submission of nutrient management plans, commonage management plans, low-emission slurry spreading forms, rare breeds forms and 2017 BPS application issues that remain to be resolved.

The table below sets out the number of 2017 scheme year advance payments made to date both in Co Mayo and nationally.

County	Cases	Advance paid	Advance not paid
Mayo	5,537	4,303	1,234
TOTAL	49,734	41,154	8,580

Payruns will continue on a weekly basis and all applicants who have passed validations will continue to have payments processed.

GLAS Payments

Questions (443)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

443. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3028/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. All 2015 and 2016 payments have been paid.

While this case has passed most of the validation checks there are still outstanding issues to be clarified. Department officials have been in direct contact with the applicant regarding what is required. The applicant is advised to discuss these issues with the advisor.

Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS 2017 advance payments are being made on a weekly basis.

GLAS Payments

Questions (444)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

444. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; the date on which the application was received; if further information was required from the person in order to proceed with the payment; the dates connected with same; when the payment will be processed and issued to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3030/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The above named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.

All GLAS claims must clear all validation checks before payment can be made. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks and to issue payments in cleared cases. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.

GLAS Payments

Questions (445)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

445. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; the date on which the application was received; if further information was required from the person in order to proceed with the payment; the dates connected with same; when the payment will be processed and issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3031/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016. All 2016 payments have been paid to the applicant.

Administrative checks take place on all actions on each GLAS claim. All cases must clear these checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks and to issue payments in cleared cases. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.

GLAS Payments

Questions (446)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

446. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; the date on which the application was received; if further information was required from the person in order to proceed with the payment; the dates connected with same; when the payment will be processed and issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3032/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. All 2015 and 2016 payments have been paid to the applicant.

Validation checks must be passed on all actions on GLAS claims and all cases must clear these checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete these checks to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (447)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

447. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3124/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) on 5 April 2017.

In addition, the person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by way of gift. Additional information pertaining to the transfer of these entitlements has been requested from the parties concerned on two occasions. As the additional information has not been received, the 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application has been deemed unsuccessful and the parties concerned have been notified.

As the 2016 scheme year position has now been finalised, the processing of applications for 2017 BPS and ANC are being finalised. Any payments due will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (448)

Niall Collins

Question:

448. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contracts his Department or agencies under his remit have with a company (details supplied); the status of these contracts; the contingency plans that may now be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3138/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has no contracts with the named company.

As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply.

In accordance with the new procedures effective September 2016, as notified by the Clerk of the Dail, my Department has provided contact details for all of our agencies, details of which are available for Oireachtas members through the Clerk of Dáil Éireann.

GLAS Payments

Questions (449)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

449. 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. [3168/18]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payments in respect of the 2015 and 2016 scheme years.

The participant's 2017 advance payment is being processed for payment this week.