Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 525-544

Organic Farming Scheme Payments

Questions (525)

Pat Breen

Question:

525. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42020/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The terms and conditions of the Organic Farming Scheme do not permit a payment in respect of certain parcels of land that are in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme simultaneously.

The persons named received payment under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) in respect of 2015 which therefore affected their entitlement to full payment under the Organic Farming Scheme for 2015. All payments under the Organic Farming Scheme have issued to the persons named up to and including their payments for 2017.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (526)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

526. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an ANC payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42061/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The processing of the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application from the person named has been completed and payment has issued to his nominated bank account.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (527)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

527. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an areas of natural constraint payment will issue to a person (details provided) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42122/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 2 May 2018. The processing of this application has been completed and payment will issue to the nominated bank account shortly.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (528)

John McGuinness

Question:

528. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an areas of natural constraint scheme payment to a person (details supplied); the reason the same delay occurs each year; and if the payment will be expedited. [42257/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application for the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received from the person named on 17 April 2018. Processing of this application is now complete with payment due to issue to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (529)

Barry Cowen

Question:

529. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) can expect a decision on their application for an areas of natural constraint scheme payment. [42263/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 25th April 2018. 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 is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (530)

Willie Penrose

Question:

530. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure a farmer (details supplied) who has been subject to numerous on-farm inspections such as cross compliance, Bord Bia inspections, remote slurry inspections and so on will have payments due for 2018 issued without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42363/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 13th May 2018. 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 is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (531)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

531. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42468/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) was received from the person named on 11 April 2018.

Under 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, all eligible applicants are required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per hectare calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Stocking density can be satisfied by cattle, sheep, goats, deer and equines.

Payment under the 2018 ANC Scheme has not issued to the person named as the holding concerned has not satisfied the scheme's minimum stocking density requirements.

Future Growth Loan Scheme

Questions (532)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

532. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the €25 million allocation for farmers, fishermen and food businesses in budget 2018 for a loan scheme has been put into the future growth loan scheme for long-term investment loans announced in budget 2019; the amount of funding that will be put into the future growth loan scheme to leverage additional moneys via the SBCI; if farmers will be able to apply to this future growth loan scheme when it opens; the percentage of the €300 million scheme that will be ring-fenced for farmers, fishermen, food businesses and other business sectors in tabular form; when the scheme will open for applications; and the expected lending interest rate. [42536/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In his Budget speech my colleague the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, formally announced progress in relation to the development of the “Future Growth Loan Scheme” for SMEs, including the primary agriculture and seafood sectors. As I announced on Budget day, this is the Scheme for which I had provided €25 million in funding in 2018. This is a key Government Brexit response that has been under consideration and development throughout 2018.

The Scheme, which will be administered by the SBCI and backed by a European Investment Fund counter-guarantee, will bring previously unavailable 8 to 10 year unsecured investment finance to the Irish market at competitive interest rates. I am working with colleagues the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister Donohoe, to bring up to €300 million of loans to the market.

My Department is providing 40% of the funding so an overall agri-food package of up to €120 million will be available. However, unlike previous similar Schemes, this can be reviewed and adjusted according to demand.

Loans will be available to farmers, the seafood sector and to agri-food businesses. This will be a long-awaited source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security. It will also serve smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate for more favourable terms with their banking institution. Along with the likes of Milk Flex, this Scheme will form part of a comprehensive investment package for farmers.

Food companies have identified long term investment finance of up to ten years as a critical need which is currently unavailable in Ireland. I am pleased that the Government have been able to deliver this product and its effects will be felt all along the food production chain.

Further details will be provided in the coming months. The Scheme is expected to be in place in early 2019 and will run for three years from its launch date.

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme

Questions (533)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

533. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the overview of the €20 million beef environmental efficiency pilot scheme introduced in budget 2019; the maximum payment per cow and weanling; and the estimated full-year-cost of increasing payments (details supplied) based on expected participation rates and forecast modelling on the payment per cow under BEEP. [42538/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has provided €20 million in budget 2019 for a new pilot scheme for suckler farmers, specifically aimed at further improving the carbon efficiency of beef production. The Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot (BEEP) will target the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves - measuring the liveweight of the calf at weaning as a percentage of the cow's liveweight.

Building on the success of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, the data collected will also be a valuable addition to Ireland's already impressive database on cattle genomics.

There is €20 million funding available for the scheme which is restricted to 500,000 head, which will allow for payment equivalent to €40 per cow. If the scheme is oversubscribed, selection criteria will be applied.

It is a pilot scheme for 2019 only, Exchequer funded and operated under State Aid de minimis provisions. There will be no additional measures/actions added to this pilot.

Details of the scheme will be announced in due course following further consultation. It is aimed to have the scheme in place for early summer 2019.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (534)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

534. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2019 allocations to each scheme in the 2014-2020 RDP. [42539/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The individual allocations for 2019 will be set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (535, 546)

Robert Troy

Question:

535. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will roll out further charging points for electric cars nationwide. [42362/18]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

546. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of charging stations for electric cars (details supplied) in County Kerry; his plans to ensure more points will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42001/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 546 together.

The majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes circa 80 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars.

The maintenance and repair of these charge points is an operational matter for the ESB. In relation to the out-of-service charge point in Killarney, the ESB has informed my Department that the manufacturer is due to come to Ireland in the coming weeks to visit the charge point. At this point it is expected that the issue will be resolved. I am also informed that the fast charge point in Tralee is located at a car dealership and not operated by the ESB.

The provision of charging infrastructure is a necessity for the uptake of electric vehicles. In this regard, last month's publication by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities of their approval of ESB Networks' proposal on the future operation and maintenance of the charging network is a welcome development. This ensures the continued operation and maintenance of the public charging network by the ESB and provides the certainty electric vehicle users need when purchasing an electric vehicle.

I understand that the ESB has commenced work to resolve the maintenance issues with the public charging network. This includes upgrades and, in the case of those with the highest reliability issues, replacement of public chargers. I am informed that it has replaced 15 standard chargers, constituting 30 charge points as well upgrading seven older fast chargers with newer chargers that can accommodate all three charging types that are in active use in Ireland. The ESB advises me that the uptime of the fleet of fast chargers is in excess of 98% which is very high by international standards.

A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, involves examining how best to support the development of the public charging network. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focuses on electric vehicles, is nearing completion and will focus on an expanded range of supports for the provision of effective and efficient electric vehicle charging.

In this regard, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.

It is also important to note the role of the Climate Action Fund. The first Call for Applications, which was launched in July, includes provision for supporting electric vehicle charging networks along with a range of other project types. The deadline for applications has now passed and I can confirm that 97 applications have been received. An assessment process of these applications is currently underway.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

Questions (536)

Brian Stanley

Question:

536. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of the transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable extending from the United States of America to Killala, County Mayo; the persons and bodies that have benefited from the cable; if a study has been carried out on the cost associated with alternative landfall routes; and his plans to use this infrastructure for the benefit of communities across the west of Ireland. [41770/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The transatlantic subsea fibre optic cable extending from the United States of America to Killala, County Mayo is privately owned infrastructure. The installation and operation of commercial telecommunications infrastructure in Ireland is undertaken by commercial companies operating in a liberalised market.  

Any consents and permissions required for the landing of this cable are a matter for the Company, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the relevant Local Authority and I have no function in relation to this matter.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (537, 538)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

537. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff in his Department and bodies under his aegis appointed to principal officer arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015, by year. [41840/18]

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

538. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of persons appointed from the panels arising from the 2015 and 2017 open competitions for principal officer run by the Public Appointments Service, by year; if a table (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41853/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 538 together.  

The information sought by the Deputy, in relation to my Department, is contained in the following table. 

Department or Office Name	2015	2016	2017	2018
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from internal competitions since 7/7/15	2 (From competition held in 2014)	2 (From competition held in 2016)	1 (From competition held in 2016)	1 (From competition held in 2016)
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2015 PO Open competition run by PAS (Campaign ID: 1512210)  (Effective 7/7/15)	1	1	1	0
No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2017 PO Open Competition run by PAS(Campaign ID: 17101202)    (Effective 23/11/17)	0	0	0	0

The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency.  The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (539)

Catherine Martin

Question:

539. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the terms of reference for his Department's report on just transition due early in 2019 as mentioned by an official from his Department at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Climate Action on 17 September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41913/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Investment in the low carbon economy has the potential to create decent work and quality jobs to support local communities and workers in regions most strongly impacted by the on-going transformation to a decarbonised society. The Government’s National Mitigation Plan recognises that fully realising the economic opportunities in the low carbon economy is key to ensuring a just transition.

To inform this process, the National Mitigation Plan contains a commitment to prepare a report on the economic and employment implications of the transition to a low carbon economy. The exact terms of reference for this work are still to be finalised but will be cognisant of the need to take on board a range of factors. This may include but not be limited to the following areas:

- Employment impacts

- Social and regional dimension

- Need for stakeholder dialogue

- Skills and training aspects.

Climate Action Fund

Questions (540, 541, 542, 543, 544)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

540. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the advisory board for the climate action fund has been established; and if so, the members of same. [41957/18]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

541. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of applications received to the climate action fund by the deadline of 1 October 2018. [41958/18]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

542. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if State-owned companies such as Bord na Móna and Coillte which hold large landbanks of degraded peatland from which emissions could be cost effectively abated are eligible to apply to the climate action fund; and if so, if they were notified of the fund. [41959/18]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

543. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the organisations which were notified of the climate action fund by letter or email. [41960/18]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

544. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if public health benefits are one of the criteria to be used in assessing applications under the climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41961/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 to 544, inclusive, together.

The Climate Action Fund is one of four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040.

The first call for applications, which was launched on 9 July, was open to applications from the public and private sector. This included non-commercial state bodies, commercial state bodies (including Coillte and Bord na Móna) and Local Authorities.

The launch of the call for applications was by way of a general press release with a reference to documentation on my Department's website.  All terms and conditions, including eligibility criteria, were included in that documentation. In addition, to the press release, the call for applications for the Climate Action Fund was displayed on the front page of my Department's website. The publication of the call for applications was also communicated  via email, including notifying the Departmental Energy Performance Officer in each Government department suggesting they relay it to the Energy Performance Officer in organisations in their group under the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy. 

The deadline for applications under the First Call for Applications was 1 October 2018 and I can confirm that 97 applications were received by this date.

The Advisory Board that will oversee the assessment process is in the process of being established. A common template is being followed for the four funds and the Advisory Board will be chaired by my Department and will include representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and independent experts.

Further information on the Climate Action Fund, including detail of the assessment process, is available on my Department’s website. The assessment includes consideration of the contribution to Ireland's climate and energy targets, and wider Government policy priorities (which would encompass health benefits).

Support provided under the first call for applications is subject to European Union state aid rules - specifically the terms and conditions of the General Block Exemption Regulation. There are likely to be projects (such as using peatlands to abate greenhouse gas emissions) that do not conform to the types of support provided for under the relevant state aid rules.

My Department is therefore engaging with Bord na Móna to identify potential peatland projects that could be supported by the Climate Action Fund outside of the current call for applications process.