Tuesday, 22 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 489-508

Live Exports

Questions (489)

Catherine Martin

Question:

489. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for at least two unscheduled stoppages of a vessel (details supplied). [2582/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department applies strong oversight in respect of the welfare of animals being exported. This includes a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016)) and veterinary inspection of animals prior to loading. Irish legislative standards for sea transport are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea.

I am informed that the MV Sarah made a stop at the Spanish port of Ceuta to take on fuel and that the vessel also made a brief stop off the coast of Algeria to permit a needed change of engineering personnel.

Live Exports

Questions (490)

Catherine Martin

Question:

490. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether allowing the continued exportation of farm animals to non-EU countries, in which animal welfare standards do not conform to those found here or the rest of the EU and in which they may be subject to inhumane treatment and slaughter, is compliant with the aim of his Department for Ireland being recognised for its high animal welfare standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has a strong commitment towards improving animal welfare standards worldwide. It continues to work closely with other EU Member States and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with a view to improving animal welfare practices.

Ireland has proved its on-going commitment to animal welfare through additional OIE multiannual financial assistance to support its activities in order to enhance animal welfare worldwide. This additional support to the value of €75, 000 per annum over the period 2017-20 is focused on OIE initiatives in the area of slaughter in the regions of Eastern Europe, Middle East and North Africa and in the area of "whole journey scenarios" by land and/or sea involving inter-regional journeys.

Ports Facilities

Questions (491)

James Browne

Question:

491. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to develop an alternative cold storage inspection facility at Rosslare Europort in view of the fact there is only one cold storage inspection facility in the country, located in Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2599/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As part of on-going planning for Brexit, my Department has been working with other government departments, including the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in assessing the infrastructure requirements at ports that are currently in receipt of consignments of products, plants and animals from the UK. Such consignments will require SPS checks to be carried out at a designated border control post, following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. In the event that a transition period is agreed between the UK and the EU as part of a withdrawal agreement, these checks will not apply until the end of the transition period.

Rosslare has been identified as a port where SPS checks will need to be carried out and as such it will be required to have a designated border control post (BCP) in compliance with EU rules. Work is underway, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), to identify a suitable site for the construction of a BCP at Rosslare Port. The BCP will be part of a multi-agency central compound. My Department will continue to liaise with the OPW and the other State Bodies who will be sharing this facility, with a view to ensuring that the design meets all legislative requirements, works as efficiently and effectively as possible and maximizes value for money, in particular through the sharing of facilities where this is provided for by the legislation.

Basic Payment Scheme Data

Questions (492)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

492. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average basic payment scheme entitlement value nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2637/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The national average value of entitlements can be calculated for any year based on the entitlement position at that time and varies slightly from year to year based on a number of factors including:

- new allocations of entitlements from the National Reserve;

- reversion of unused entitlements to the National Reserve;

- reversion of unduly allocated entitlements to the National Reserve.

The current average value of BPS entitlements in 2019 is €184.87 per Hectare excluding the Greening Payment. The Greening Payment is now an additional 44% or approximately €81.34 extra per Hectare giving a figure of €266.21 for the national average including greening.

Basic Payment Scheme Data

Questions (493, 494)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

493. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of basic payments scheme entrants in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2638/19]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

494. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of basic payment scheme entrants in County Donegal who receive less than the national average entitlement payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together.

To date, the number of eligible applications received for Donegal under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is 8,167.

As of Friday 18th January, the national average BPS payment for 2018 was €9,523 and there are 6,488 Donegal applicants that received payments for 2018 that were less than the national average.

GLAS Payments

Questions (495)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

495. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a refund, which has been withheld due to a departmental fault, will issue to a person (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this error occurred almost three years ago; the efforts he will make to reimburse the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/19]

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 scheme year payments have been processed for this case. However, the Department has undertaken a review of 2015 and 2016 GLAS scheme year payments and has identified that an additional payment is due in relation to the Low Input Permanent Pasture action (LIPP) in this case. I expect this payment to issue shortly.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (496)

Micheál Martin

Question:

496. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the airline costs for his Department for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The airline costs for my Department for 2018 amounted to €580,079. Of that total, some €116,787 was recouped from the EU Commission.

A further refund is due for attendance at EU Council Meetings and some €99,333 in relation to costs of attendance at Council Meetings was received in July of 2018.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (497)

Micheál Martin

Question:

497. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the cost of newspapers in his Department in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2701/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2018 my Department spent €21,866 on newspapers. This includes expenditure on hard copy and digital versions.

Beef Industry

Questions (498)

Brendan Smith

Question:

498. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he plans to implement to support the suckler beef sector in view of growing concerns regarding its viability and the lack of an adequate return to the primary producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am conscious that 2018 was a difficult year for the suckler beef sector, particularly in terms of unprecedented weather events, which resulted in increased input costs due to fodder shortages. We must also acknowledge the exposure of the sector to Brexit impacts.

However, one of the unique strengths of the agri-food sector has been the shared vision for the sustainable development of the sector in Food Wise 2025. I hope that this positive engagement will continue. I have utilised the Beef Round table to highlight the need for stakeholders to recognise their inter-dependency and to support the sector through examination of mechanisms to add value along the supply chain and increase the strength of all links in the supply chain, including Beef Producer Organisations. Officials from my Department are currently engaging extensively with stakeholders in relation to Beef Producer Organisations.

More generally in relation to the beef sector, in the last Budget I secured €20 million for a new Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot targeted at suckler farmers and specifically aimed at further improving the carbon efficiency of beef production.

My Department is examining all appropriate measures to support the different agri-food sectors, including the suckler sector in preparation for the next iteration of the CAP. I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP. My view is that such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.

The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is currently the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some €300 million in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd.

My Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the €4 billion Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler and sheep farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmers also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.

I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. National Farm Survey data suggests that suckler farmers receive support equivalent to approximately €500 per suckler cow on average. It is also envisaged that suckler farmers will be the primary beneficiaries of the €23 million ANC increase in addition to the €20 million available under the Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot.

Securing new market access and enhancing existing Irish beef access has been a particular priority for many of the trade missions in 2017 and 2018. The opening of the Chinese market for Irish beef last year was the culmination of significant work, over a number of years. My Department continues to prioritise efforts to gain market access to new third country markets and, equally importantly, to deepen existing markets for Irish beef products.

Departmental Staff

Questions (499)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

499. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if technical agricultural officers working in his Department have the opportunity to work until they are 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2812/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, which was enacted on 26th of December 2018 increases the compulsory retirement age for civil servants, recruited prior to 1st April 2004, from age 65 to age 70.

Technical Agricultural Officers employed by my Department, who meet the above criteria, are included in this cohort of staff and now have the opportunity to remain in employment until age 70.

Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Applications

Questions (500)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

500. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under a scheme will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Cork. [2841/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named applied for investments under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II and the application was approved on 4 July 2017. The applicant submitted a claim for payment 9 January 2019 which is currently being processed.

Scéim Comhshaoil ​​Talmhaíochta Carbóin Glas Íseal

Questions (501)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

501. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a íocfar an deontas GLAS le feirmeoir (sonraí tugtha) i gContae na Gaillimhe; cén fáth go bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2843/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Glacadh leis an duine ainmnithe isteach i scéim GLAS 3 agus an 1 Eanáir 2017 an dáta ar cuireadh tús leis an gconradh. Tá na híocaíochtaí ar fad a bhaineann le bliain scéime 2017 faighte ag an té sin.

Bhí moill ar réamhíocaíocht 2018 mar gheall ar fhadhb a bhain leis an éileamh Coimíneachta, atá anois réitithe. Cuirfear an t-iarratas ar aghaidh anois le seiceálacha eile bailíochta a dhéanamh air agus déanfar íocaíocht a eisiúint ach na seiceálacha sin ar fad a shásamh. Leantar le híocaíochtaí GLAS a eisiúint ar bhonn seachtainiúil.

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Questions (502)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

502. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a young farmer payment under the national reserve in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2910/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2017 National Reserve application to my Department. This application was unsuccessful as the person named did not meet the scheme Terms and Conditions and he was advised in writing of this outcome in January 2018. He was also advised that he had the option to appeal the decision to my Department.

The person named subsequently appealed this decision and following a review of his application, including the information provided by the person named as part of his appeal, the original decision was upheld. The person named was advised of this decision in writing in March 2018 and also advised that if he wished to further appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, he could do so in writing within three months.

The Agriculture Appeals Office has now contacted my Department seeking a copy of the file relevant to the 2017 National Reserve application by the person named in order to commence the process of consideration of his appeal.

GLAS Payments

Questions (503)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

503. 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. [2941/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 and has received payments for scheme years 2015, 2016 and 2017 advance. Following the resolution of an outstanding issue, the balance payment for 2017 has been cleared for payment. The case will now move forward for processing of the 2018 advance. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (504)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

504. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a 2018 areas of natural constraint payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3015/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted an application under the Basic Payments scheme and Areas of Natural Constraints scheme on 2 March 2018. Full payment in respect of both schemes has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.

GLAS Payments

Questions (505)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

505. Deputy Eamon Scanlon 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. [3023/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received all payments in respect of the scheme years 2016 and 2017.

In relation to payment for 2018, administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can be made. In the process of checking this application an issue has been identified which requires action by the participant. As Department officials have unsuccessfully tried to contact the participant concerned to explain what is required the Advisor concerned is being contacted in this regard. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (506)

Catherine Martin

Question:

506. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to roll out fast-charging infrastructure for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2575/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The majority of the existing publicly accessible electric vehicle infrastructure was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes 77 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.

In addition, under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars that will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. Further details on this project, and the other projects approved from the fund, are available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.

Medical Waste Disposal

Questions (507, 517)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

507. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 339 of 1 March 2018, in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 422 and 430 of 5 December 2017, the status of the new funding proposal for families with large amounts of medical waste; when the scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2606/19]

Seamus Healy

Question:

517. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the introduction of the grant towards the cost of pay-by-weight charges for households with a vulnerable person with long-term medical incontinence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2788/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 517 together.

My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (508)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

508. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the rates being paid by a person (details supplied) to Inland Fisheries Ireland will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2940/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis as each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers (including river sections and estuaries) has its own genetically unique stock of salmon.

IFI is supported in its management role by scientific advice from Ireland’s independent Standing Scientific Committee (SSC), comprising scientists from a range of organisations. IFI also has to have regard EU legislation, most notably the Habitats Directive under which salmon habitats are protected.

Scientific and management assessments of each of the distinct stocks, including the river Feale, are carried out every year with IFI engaged in extensive stock monitoring which feeds into the Scientific Group's annual reviews. An average of the 5 years of data is used to estimate expected returns for the coming year to ensure that a good or bad year does not have a disproportionate impact on the stock assessment in any single year.

Based on the annual assessment carried out for the 2019 season added to the previous 4 years' assessments, the River Feale is not closed. It is open to catch and release angling. The Feale has been previously open to harvest fishing for a number of years.

The rateable value of fisheries is set by the Valuation Office on a statutory basis. It is a matter, in the first instance, for fishery owners to contact the Valuations Office as regards the possibility of amending the valuation in the light of current circumstances.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is statutorily obliged to collect rates based on rateable valuation established by the Valuations Office. IFI has no statutory function in relation to that issue nor any power to amend rateable valuations.