Written Answers Nos. 462-479
466. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a timeline for the development of his Department's specific climate change targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49570/18]
View answerIn 2009 the Government set a national target for Ireland to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. At the same time, a more challenging efficiency target of 33% was set for the public sector to demonstrate leadership on energy efficiency. The 20% improvement in energy efficiency by the public sector towards its target of 33% by 2020, has been achieved based largely on low-cost behavioural change measures. The Department of Health has been working with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Energy, the SEAI and the OPW via the Optimising Power at Work Programme on energy efficiency measures. In the most recent data available "Health" is shown as having achieved 17% savings to date and “not on track to achieve the target”. However, it should be noted that this relates to the Health Sector as a whole, and not just the Department. The HSE has been working to address energy usage, particularly in Acute Hospitals - which are among the biggest energy users in the Sector. To put this in context, one large-scale project could deliver significant savings that would achieve the target on behalf of the entire sector. In relation to the Department, it has been participating in the OPW “Optimising Power at Work” scheme since 2007. This is the baseline year. Overall energy consumption in Hawkins House for the period 2017 v 2007 has shown an increase of 7.1%. This is primarily explained by a substantial increase in gas consumption over the year. A 33.3% increase on the base year was evident. This reflects the condition of Hawkins House and the adverse weather conditions over the period.
Electricity consumption continued to perform well, at the end of 2017 a saving of 26% was achieved.
|
Description |
Electricity |
Gas |
Total |
|
Benchmark Year |
1,140,467 |
1,452,118 |
2,592,585 |
|
Previous 12 Months |
839,484 |
1,936,005 |
2,775,549 |
|
% Difference |
-26.4% |
33.3% |
7.1% |
The Department continued with a range of initiatives to improve energy performance including:
- Improvements from “turn off” initiative - with a particular focus on all PCs being shut down at 10pm nightly, if they have not already been shut down by the user.
- Monitoring of time clocks on mechanical and electrical systems.
- Monthly energy reporting.
- BMS (Building Maintenance System) Maintenance.
In July 2018, the Department moved to an A rated Building Energy Rating (BER) accommodation in Miesian Plaza and it is expected that this will have a positive impact on the target going forward. This should be most evident by the end of 2019 when the Department can compare full-year data in relevant categories.
467. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will commission Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, to carry out an archaeologist study in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49061/18]
View answerAll applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.
The legislation also provides for a period of public and statutory consultation. The consultation phase in respect of licence applications in the area referred to by the Deputy has been completed. My Department is continuing to examine these applications in accordance with the applicable legislation. The necessity, or otherwise, of an archaeological survey will form part of my Department’s consideration of all the issues involved.
As the licence applications in the area referred to are under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
468. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a bheidh cinneadh déanta ar achomharc maidir le deontas BPS (An Scéim Buníocaíochta), ANC (Limistéar Sriantachta Nádúrtha) agus GLAS (An Scéim Comhshaoil Talmhaíochta, Íseal-Charbóin) do 2017 agus 2018 atá déanta ag feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [48879/18]
View answerTá sé deimhnithe ag an Oifig um Achomhairc Talmhaíochta go bhfuarthas achomharc ón duine atá ainmnithe maidir lena iarratas ar Scéim na hÍocaíochta Bunúsaí (BPS) agus ar Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrianta Nádúrtha 2018 (ANC). Rinne Oifigeach Achomhairc teagmháil le hionadaí ainmnithe an achomharcóra an 22 Samhain 2018 agus tá éisteacht ó bhéal ar an achomharc á socrú faoi láthair. Seolfaidh an Oifig um Achomhairc litir chinnidh chuimsitheach chuig an achomharcóir nuair a bheidh athbhreithniú iomlán déanta ar fhíorais an cháis.
Tá sé tugtha le fios ag an Oifig um Achomhairc Talmhaíochta nach bhfuil aon taifead aici ar achomhairc a fuarthas ón duine atá ainmnithe maidir lena chuid iarratas ar Scéim GLAS 2017 agus 2018 ná ar na Scéimeanna BPS agus ANC 2018.
469. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the 2019 allocation for the future growth loan scheme in view of the fact that the explanatory memo to the European Investment Fund Agreement Bill 2018 indicates that the cost will be €62 million over a five-year period. [48902/18]
View answerThe Future Growth Loan Scheme is being developed by my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in partnership with the Department of Finance, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). It will be delivered through participating finance providers and make up to €300 million of long-term investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses, including the primary agriculture, agri-food & seafood sectors. The loans will be competitively priced and will be for terms of 8-10 years.
The fund is leveraged by Exchequer funding of €62 million, of which 40% or some €25 million will be provided by my Department. My Department’s contribution will be paid in 2018 with no provision for 2019.
The Scheme is expected to launch in early 2019.
470. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit loan scheme by county and by sector; and the average breakdown loaned between €25,000 and €1.5 million. [48936/18]
View answerThe Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be impacted by Brexit and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€9 million from my Department and €14 million from the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million. The Scheme has been designed to assist eligible Irish businesses in the short-term to deal with the challenges of Brexit, which include the pressures of increased market instability and currency volatility.
The Scheme was launched in March this year and will remain open until 31st March 2020, or until it is fully subscribed. As of 16 November, there have been 304 applications received, with 265 deemed eligible and 53 loans progressed to sanction at finance provider level to a value of €12.46 million. This equates to an average loan value of €235,000. These figures were issued as an interim update.
The SBCI issue a detailed report on a quarterly basis, which includes county level breakdown, sector breakdown, etc. The figures below are those as at the most recent quarterly report, dated 02 October 2018.
|
County |
Applications Approved |
|
Carlow |
3 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
|
Clare |
2 |
|
Cork |
18 |
|
Donegal |
9 |
|
Dublin |
58 |
|
Galway |
10 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
|
Laois |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
|
Louth |
7 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
|
Meath |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
9 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
Tipperary |
7 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
14 |
|
Industry Sector |
Applications Approved |
|
Agriculture (Non-Primary) |
2 |
|
Mining & Quarrying |
1 |
|
Manufacturing |
79 |
|
Electricity, Gas, Steam & Air Conditioning Supply |
1 |
|
Water Supply, Sewerage & Waste Management |
1 |
|
Construction |
8 |
|
Wholesale & Retail |
40 |
|
Transportation & Storage |
3 |
|
Accommodation & Food |
6 |
|
Information & Communication |
41 |
|
Financial & Insurance Activities |
2 |
|
Professional, Scientific & Technical Activities |
9 |
|
Administrative & Support Services |
2 |
|
Education |
4 |
|
Human Health & Social Work |
1 |
471. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) which has been ongoing for three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48988/18]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person concerned on 8 September 2015. An Oral Hearing took place on 15 December 2015. The Appeals Officer notified the appellant of the outcome of his appeal in a comprehensive decision letter that issued on 21 January 2016.
A request for review was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office on behalf of the person concerned on 7 June 2016. A comprehensive review of the case has been undertaken to determine if the additional information submitted with the review request has any bearing on the Appeals Officer's decision or if there was an error in fact or in law. This involved an assessment of any legal issues arising as well as seeking my Department's views on the additional information submitted. I am advised that the review is now completed and that a decision letter is to issue in the next two weeks.
472. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 774 of 6 November 2018, when the inspection will be completed; when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/18]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on 12th 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 has now been completed and the results have been processed to finalisation. Payments due under the Basic Payment Scheme and Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
473. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 773 of 6 November 2018, when the inspection will be completed; when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49056/18]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on 12th 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 has now been completed and the results have been processed to finalisation.
Payments due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
474. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 786 of 6 November 2018, the number of queries with the Irish Land Commission in the context of records held and requests for access to records; the longest period of time a query was open in the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49107/18]
View answer475. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 786 of 6 November 2018, the average time it takes to close a query to the Irish Land Commission in which owners and purchasers of land and their personal or legal representatives are allowed access to and copies of relevant documents and or maps; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that long waiting times for settling queries has impacts on conveyancing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49108/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.
Requests for access to the records of the former Irish Land Commission are fully processed on average within 10 working days, provided that the requestor has supplied all the required documentation to firstly satisfy the criteria for allowing access to the records and secondly to correctly identify the relevant estate files.
It is the policy of the Records Branch of my Department not to release copy records until the required fees have been paid in full. This is generally the reason why a case may remain open beyond the average 10 day processing period.
While the number of cases on hand changes daily, there are currently 99 open cases, 71 of which have outstanding fees dating back as far as April 2018.
All open cases are kept under review and are closed if no response is received after a number of months.
My officials are aware of the impact of time delays when dealing with queries from the general public and the legal profession, and processes and procedures are in place to avoid any unnecessary delay.
476. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calves born in the suckler herd registered in the period 1 January to 30 June 2015 and 1 January to 30 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49111/18]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question I would like to draw his attention to the data profiling of the national herd which is publically available on my Department’s website in the form of detailed annual reports. These reports are available from 2002 onwards and can be accessed at: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/animalidentificationmovement/cattle/.
These annual reports detail the national herd by age profile and breed type (Chapter 4) and the national herd birth registration data (Chapter 1).
The number of calves born to beef breed dams as extracted from my Department's Animal Identification and Movement database (AIM) for the period 01 January 2015 to 30 June 2015 was 763,587. Additionally, the figures for the corresponding period in 2016 was 749,181.
477. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of a green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS 1 application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49112/18]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payments for scheme years 2015 and 2016 and the 2017 advance (85%). The 2017 Balance payment cannot be processed until an outstanding Commonage Management Plan (CMP) is received.
At the time the application was submitted on the Department's online application system the applicant's privately owned Natura land was not included. The approved GLAS contract did not include these lands. Following a review it was decided that the additional lands are eligible for GLAS. The applicant was informed that she is due GLAS + payments for 2015, 2016 and 2017. However these payments cannot issue until the Common Management Plan is submitted. The applicant should follow this up with her advisor to ensure its submission so that payments can be made.
478. Deputy Niamh Smyth 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. [49121/18]
View answerAs the Deputy would be aware from previous recent PQ's a review by the Director of Agriculture Appeals Office of the decision of the Appeals Officer has been requested in this case in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001. The Agriculture Appeals Office has indicated that requests for reviews are generally dealt with in order of receipt and that both the Department and the person named will be advised of the outcome when the review has been completed.
479. 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. [49130/18]
View answerA 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Application was received in respect of the person named on 09 April 2018. Processing of this application has recently been completed, and payment under both schemes has issued and will be in the nominated bank account in the coming days.
