Written Answers Nos. 455-473
455. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the status of the new diabetes centre at Sligo University Hospital; if the shortlisting of contractors has been completed; when a contractor will be appointed; when funding will be approved thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14251/18]
View answerAs the queries raised by the Deputy relate to a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
456. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reduced penalty will be applied in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13585/18]
View answerA report detailing findings of an inspection carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 12th June 2017 was referred to my Department’s Cross-Compliance Unit for attention. This report detailed breaches relating to the cross-compliance requirements under SMR 3 - Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna.
The breaches identified related to damage caused to an area of land designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) as a result of the clearing and reclamation of land. These works were carried out without the permission of NPWS.
The breaches resulted in a 20% penalty being applied against the 2017 Direct Schemes payments. The person named was notified of the decision on 13th December 2017, which took account of correspondence submitted by the person named in November 2017.
The person named subsequently sought a review of this decision, the outcome of which was to up-hold the original inspection findings. The person named was notified of this outcome on 9th March 2018.
If the person named is dissatisfied with this outcome, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
457. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he plans to take on foot of a decision on an appeal lodged by a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13608/18]
View answerMy Department notes the decision of the Agriculture Appeals Office in this case and is working now to give full effect to the appeal outcome.
458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/18]
View answerFollowing an epidemiological assessment, my Department's veterinary inspectorate concluded that the original outbreak of TB in this herd was most likely due to infection in the local wildlife. The more recent outbreak of TB in this herd is considered to most likely be due to residual infection in the herd. Department personnel are in on-going contact with the herdowner named with a view to eradicating TB from his herd as soon as possible. Currently laboratory results are awaited for one animal. If the laboratory results are negative, only one further test will be required to de-restrict the herd.
459. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who applied to the crop loss compensation scheme by county; the number of approved applicants; the number of applicants who withdrew from the scheme; the number per county who have been issued payments to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13675/18]
View answerThe crop loss support measure was launched in July to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016. A total of 167 applications were received under the measure.
Payments under the measure totalling €337,596.30 have been issued to 75 applicants. In a number of cases, further information or clarification is required in order to fully process applications. In all of these cases, the applicants have been contacted directly by an official from my Department. As the further information requested is received, these cases will be examined again and subsequent pay runs will be put in place as more case are cleared for payment.
The figures requested on a county basis are set out in the table.
|
County |
Number of Applicants |
Paid |
Withdrawn |
|
Cork |
86 |
32 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
11 |
0 |
|
Galway |
23 |
12 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
7 |
3 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Longford |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Louth |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
2 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
4 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
167 |
75 |
1 |
460. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the second payment under the GLAS will be paid (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13729/18]
View answerThe 85% GLAS 2017 advance payments commenced on schedule in November 2017. Payments continue to issue on a weekly basis to participants as they become eligible and cases are cleared for payment. The target date for the commencement of the 15% GLAS 2017 balancing payments is May 2018.
461. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed will meet in March 2018 to discuss a report from the European Food Safety Authority regarding the dangers that neonicotinoid pesticides pose to native bee populations; and his views regarding the banning of neonicotinoid pesticides, such as clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, in advance of this meeting. [13752/18]
View answerThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updated its risk assessments of the neonicotinoid substances clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam recently, publishing its revised assessments on 28 February 2018. These assessments are a comprehensive evaluation, rigorously peer reviewed by Member State experts, of all relevant scientific information that has become available since 2013. EFSA’s conclusions were discussed at the Standing Committee (Pesticide Legislation) meeting on 22-23 March 2018.
These assessments will be further discussed at the Standing Committee and this process, when concluded, will include the normal tabling of a formal commission proposal for vote by Member States on authorisation. In determining its position with regard to any vote, and as occurs with all chemical authorisation, my Department will give careful consideration to the wording of any Commission proposal tabled and its reflection of the detailed scientific risk assessments carried out by EFSA. Ireland is mindful of the need for a very high level of protection for bees.
462. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if foreshore licences or other licences have been issued for Lough Foyle in the history of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13759/18]
View answerMy Department does not issue foreshore licences or aquaculture licences in respect of Lough Foyle. As the Deputy is aware, the management of aquaculture and associated foreshore licensing functions in Lough Foyle gives rise to legal and jurisdictional complexities. Negotiations regarding the jurisdiction of the Lough Foyle area are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Foreshore licensing, other than that related to fisheries and aquaculture, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
The Deputy will also be aware that my Department organises and participates in an inter-departmental working group which is pursuing a way forward in terms of the future management of aquaculture and associated foreshore activities on Lough Foyle, in parallel with a workable resolution to the complex jurisdictional issues involved.
463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 398 of 8 March 2018, when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13766/18]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. The applicant has received all payments in respect of scheme years 2015 and 2016.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. As stated in the reply to the previous Parliamentary Question on this matter all cases must clear these administrative checks before payment can issue. My Department is making every effort to complete the checks required and once this case clears validations the 2017, advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
464. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 8 March 2018, when a person (details supplied) will receive an organics payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13767/18]
View answerThe person named is a participant in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Prior to payment all participants are subject to validation checks which must be passed before payment can issue, and this includes ensuring that there is no double-funding of actions between OFS and GLAS. In this case the applicant's 2017 GLAS payment has not been finalised and therefore what is due under his OFS payment cannot be confirmed. My Department is working to resolve this case as quickly as possible.
465. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an organics payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13771/18]
View answerThe person named is a participant in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Prior to payment all participants are subject to validation checks which must be passed before payment can issue, and this includes ensuring that there is no double-funding of actions between OFS and GLAS. In this case the applicant's 2017 GLAS payment has not been finalised and therefore what is due under his OFS payment cannot be confirmed. My Department is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
466. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13772/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received payments in respect of 2015 and 2016.
The Department is aware of an issue with this case that resulted in the 2017 advance payment not being made. A solution has been identified and work is underway to resolve the case. Once implemented the 2017 advance payment will issue. GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.
467. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a basic payment scheme appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/18]
View answerMy Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning as the lands affected are deemed ineligible for the purposes of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
As part of this process, the person named was notified by my Department in relation to burned land that formed part of their BPS application, and has submitted an appeal in relation to this matter.
The processing of this appeal is currently being finalised, and a decision in this matter will be communicated directly to the person named shortly.
468. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a herd number by a person (details supplied). [13851/18]
View answerAn application for a herdnumber was received from the above named on 14 March 2017. An on-farm inspection was carried out on 21 March 2017. At this inspection the applicant was informed of the requirement to supply documentation supporting the application including a lease agreement for the land and farm buildings subject to the application. Furthermore a cattle crush required upgrading. The applicant agreed to contact the inspecting officer when this work was completed and lease agreements were put in place. The inspecting officer has contacted the applicant or their nominated contact on a number of occasions in 2017 with a view to progressing the application. To date valid lease agreements have not been furnished to support the application and therefore the application cannot be further processed.
469. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assurances that will be provided to ensure that calves exported to the EU mainland receive adequate rest, food and water throughout their journey; if an investigation is being carried out on the 108 calves killed in the recent crash in the Netherlands; the improvements that will be made to prevent this from recurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13893/18]
View answer470. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the animal welfare standards for calves transported on the temporary ship brought in to replace a ship (details supplied) to transport calves to France following reports that three of four drivers could not be accommodated on this replacement vessel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13894/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations lays down the requirements and conditions for the transport of live animals, including bovines, undertaken in connection with an economic activity, and the related operations of handling, loading and unloading. The Regulation is given effect in national legislation by the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006. (Statutory Instrument No. 675 of 2006). Live exports are an important component of Ireland’s livestock industry and my Department promotes an environment in which live exports take place with a strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being exported. A considerable amount of resources is deployed to the process of certifying animals for export and in ensuring compliance in respect of the welfare of the animals being exported. My Department is regularly in contact with the Competent Authorities in other Member States through which live animals pass en route to their final destination. The purpose of these contacts is to ensure that the regulations in place regarding rest, feed and water are obeyed regardless of the location of the animals or the transport vehicle or vessel. For instance, where transporters are suspected of failing to obey the regulations on the protection of live animals during transport in Ireland or other Member States, there is a system in place for official notifications to the Member State of origin of the journey and the Member State where the transporter is authorised. Any such official notifications are investigated and where there are non-compliances appropriate sanctions are applied to the transporters and organisers of the journey. In terms of the issue raised concerning the export of calves on a replacement ship, there are strict arrangements in place with the shipping companies engaged in transporting animals, to ensure adequate oversight of the animals when in transit. My Department is satisfied that these arrangements are working in a satisfactory manner and that the welfare of the calves is not compromised.
With regard to the incident leading to the death of calves in the Netherlands, this appears to result from an unfortunate road traffic accident. The Dutch authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident.
My Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can continue in both an economic and sustainable manner and with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.
471. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cows and calves killed at a location (details supplied) during Storm Emma; the recommendations he will make in relation to such sites funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13895/18]
View answerTeagasc are involved in 4 demonstration farms with industry partners to highlight best practice in livestock production in terms of animal breeding, grassland management, animal health and financial management. Teagasc provide strategic oversight in the form of business planning and technical support and also organise farm walks and visits etc. My Department does not directly aid the operation of these farms.
The Greenfield Dairy Farm project was set up in 2010 to demonstrate best practise in the design, construction and operation of sustainable grass based milk production systems to Irish dairy farmers. Glanbia, the Agricultural Trust and the farm owners, formed a limited company (Greenfield Dairy Partners Limited), which leased the farm from the owners for a 15-year period. Teagasc are not involved in the day-to-day operations on the farm.
Like many other farms, Greenfield was impacted by the extreme weather associated with Storm Emma. Farm staff stayed on the farm for the entire duration of the storm to monitor the stock under the adverse conditions. Additional help was brought in to ensure that all animals were provided with adequate feed and water, which is the main animal welfare priority in such situations.
Out of a total of 370 cows, there were 290 cows on the farm during the storm. In preparation for the storm, approximately 80 in-calf cows and 30 calves were moved to a nearby farmyard which provided more sheltered accommodation. Unfortunately over the 24-hour period, five calves and two cows died due to the adverse effects of Storm Emma; an additional calf died in the following 24-hours.
Teagasc regrets the animal deaths that occurred, but faced with the large snowfall and drifting, are satisfied that everything that was humanly possible was done to alleviate the situation. Over the last 8 years, Greenfield has had a very good animal welfare record with cow and calf mortality, one of the key performance indicators that is recorded and reported weekly, significantly below national average rates.
While an event such as Storm Emma is unlikely to be repeated during the lifetime of this project, Teagasc in association with its stakeholders will carry out a thorough review of the event. This will include a review of the farm infrastructure and recommendations as to how such adverse events are prepared for and alleviated in the future. Teagasc will also prepare a specific set of guidelines to help farmers to cope with extreme adverse events such as occurred with Storm Emma and Storm Ophelia.
472. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the second payment of the sheep welfare scheme will be made available to recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/18]
View answerIn line with the relevant EU Regulations, the advance payment under the Sheep Welfare Scheme commenced in November 2017. The advance payment rate was increased to 85% following discussion with the EU Commission, and total payments of some €16m have issued.
The issue of the 15% balancing payments to all eligible participants in the Sheep Welfare Scheme is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2018.
473. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); when a payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14041/18]
View answerAll GLAS payments are up to date in this case.
