Parliamentary questions

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

356. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2019 beef data and genomics programme by county in tabular form; the number of applications approved and not approved, respectively; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number of 2019 advance and balancing payments to the programme that have issued to date; and the value by county. [53851/19]

Agriculture Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

357. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers whose contracts will expire on 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2021 for each scheme under the rural development programme including GLAS 1, 2 and 3 and the beef data and genomics programme 1 and 2 in tabular form. [53852/19]

Rural Development Programme Data

Charlie McConalogue

358. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average annual payment under each RDP scheme in tabular form. [53853/19]

Agriculture Industry

Charlie McConalogue

359. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the new green deal and proposals relating to the agriculture sector by the European Commission. [53854/19]

Common Agricultural Policy

Charlie McConalogue

360. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of CAP transitional measures post-2020. [53855/19]

Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

487. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2019 Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot, BEEP, scheme by county, in tabular form; the number of approved applications; the number of applications not approved; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number of payments under the 2019 BEEP scheme that have issued to date; and the value per county. [52578/19]

Sheepmeat Sector

Charlie McConalogue

522. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason lamb prices are lagging behind those of international competitors (details supplied); the steps he will take to address the anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52855/19]

Renewable Energy Projects

Charlie McConalogue

554. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a proposal by an organisation (details supplied) on the renewable energy support scheme and the participation of farm scale projects in renewable electricity generation. [52579/19]

Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility

Charlie McConalogue

293. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislative process required at EU level for the 3,000 forgotten farmers in order to be eligible for inclusion in the national reserve further to correspondence from him (details supplied); and if it is technically possible for member states to make this change under the current CAP regulations or as proposed by the new CAP proposals and accompanying strategic plans as published by the EU Commission in June 2018. [52461/19]

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Charlie McConalogue

294. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2019 national reserve and young farmers scheme by county in tabular form; the number of approved and not approved applications, respectively; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number of advance and balancing payments that have issued to date; and the value by county. [52462/19]

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

295. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in the AEOS scheme whose contracts ceased on 31 December 2018, by county in tabular form; if he will consider permitting such farmers to apply to join GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52463/19]

GLAS Payments

Charlie McConalogue

296. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 who received the 85% advance payment of their 2019 payments by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed the payment approval checks and are awaiting their 85% portion of their 2019 payments; the number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive this portion of payment by county; if the same information for 2019 balancing payments will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52464/19]

Basic Payment Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

297. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2019 basic payment scheme by county in tabular form; the number of approved and not approved applications, respectively; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number of 2019 advance and balancing payments to the 2019 basic payment scheme that have issued to date; and the value by county. [52465/19]

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

298. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2019 ANC scheme by county in tabular form; the number of approved and not approved applications, respectively; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number of 2019 advance and balancing payments to the 2019 ANC scheme that have issued to date; and the value by county. [52466/19]

Brexit Data

Charlie McConalogue

299. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the BEAM scheme by county in tabular form; the number of approved and not approved applications, respectively; the number of applications not approved that were appealed; the number payments under the BEAM scheme that have issued to date; and the value by county. [52467/19]

Healthcare Policy

Charlie McConalogue

307. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the financial supports in place to assist those who have additional costs as a result of having chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis and COPD; if he will consider providing additional payments to assist with the day-to-day living costs (details supplied) associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51083/19]

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Charlie McConalogue

414. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a second consultant for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/19]

Live Exports

Charlie McConalogue

471. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to maintain the exports of Irish brown crab to the Chinese market in view of the fact fishermen rely on this species for an income (details supplied); the reason the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, changed the procedure for the Irish sector by insisting that the export health certificate would only be issued on production of a compliant cadmium result from a sample submitted for testing by the Marine Institute; if the SFPA was offered an opportunity to join fellow EU agencies engaging with the Chinese authorities to have the standard for cadmium adjusted to bring it in line with EU regulations; the position decided upon by the Irish authorities on this latter point; and if the authorities consulted with fishing representative stakeholders in forming this position. [51381/19]

LEADER Programmes Funding

Charlie McConalogue

356. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be allocated to the LEADER programme in County Donegal; if so, the level of funding that will be made available; when it will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50687/19]

LEADER Programmes

Charlie McConalogue

357. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure that there are no gaps between the LEADER programme 2014-2020 when it finishes at the end of 2020 and the next LEADER programme commencing; if his attention has been drawn to potential gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50688/19]

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

364. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application made by Donegal County Council (details supplied) under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme; when an announcement will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50790/19]

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Charlie McConalogue

378. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position of her Department on the Labour Court recommendation that community employment supervisors receive a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50690/19]

IDA Ireland Data

Charlie McConalogue

49. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new-first time investments by new IDA Ireland client companies in County Donegal in 2019; the number of visits by new IDA Ireland client companies in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49965/19]

Local Enterprise Offices

Charlie McConalogue

70. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports in place for businesses though the local enterprise office in County Donegal; the additional funding made to same in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49962/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Charlie McConalogue

391. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out the BreastCheck mobile unit to a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49992/19]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Charlie McConalogue

392. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when the BreastCheck mobile unit will be rolled out to a town (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49993/19]

Agriculture Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

448. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants selected for a remote sensing inspection in respect of the various 2019 area based schemes; the number of inspections in respect of the cases that have taken place; the number finalised and processed to payment stage; and the number of such applicants that have and have not received their 2019 payments in tabular form. [49788/19]

Departmental Funding

Charlie McConalogue

456. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department provides grant funding for anaerobic digesters; if not, his plans to introduce same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49915/19]

Departmental Funding

Charlie McConalogue

457. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department had a consultation with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the introduction of grant support for anaerobic digesters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49918/19]

Invalidity Pension Payments

Charlie McConalogue

597. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) for an invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50307/19]

Mica Redress Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

615. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will ensure that lenders support homeowners that are affected by mica to access the 10% finance needed for the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49984/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Charlie McConalogue

22. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the commitment to provide high speed broadband to every house and business in County Donegal; the timeline for when the roll-out will commence in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49346/19]

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Charlie McConalogue

27. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the national broadband plan; when all homes and businesses in County Donegal will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49345/19]

Teacher Training Provision

Charlie McConalogue

96. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the terms and conditions announced in budget 2020 for teachers to improve their standard of spoken and written Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49459/19]

Nitrates Action Programme

Charlie McConalogue

194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the continuation of the agricultural catchments programme; and the funding for the programme in 2019 and 2020 and each year of the programme in the years ahead. [49680/19]

Live Exports

Charlie McConalogue

195. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to increase lairage capacity at Cherbourg. [49681/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Charlie McConalogue

196. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position taken by Ireland regarding the Finnish Presidency proposal that countries spend at least 30% of CAP funds post 2020 on climate and environment measures; and if he is considering carrying out an impact analysis of the proposals to compare them to the EU Commission proposals in 2018 by which a country would have to spend 40% of CAP funding on climate measures and the environment. [49682/19]

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Charlie McConalogue

31. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of basic payment scheme applicants who have not received their 2019 advance payment; the reason for non-payment to date; if he will he consider providing the advance payment to those farmers who have been selected for on-site and satellite inspections, or both, in view of their severe financial position and the fact that they greatly depend on such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49428/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Charlie McConalogue

33. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions at the most recent EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting regarding transitionary provisions for CAP post-2020; his plans to ensure that existing rural development programme, RDP, schemes such as areas of natural constraint, ANC, the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, the beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, sheep welfare and, will continue for this transition period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49429/19]

Trade Agreements

Charlie McConalogue

44. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest developments on the provisional Mercosur agreement; the impact assessments being carried out at European Union and national level; the steps he is taking to protect farmers here by ensuring beef does not form an element of the final Mercosur deal at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49058/19]

Organic Farming Scheme

Charlie McConalogue

59. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the approval rate for applications to the organic farming scheme when it re-opened for 30 days in November 2018. [49060/19]

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Charlie McConalogue

67. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions at the most recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting regarding CAP proposals post-2020 including transitionary provisions; if existing schemes will be rolled over in pillars 1 and 2; his views on the new green architecture proposed and targets for environmental measures set out by the Finnish Presidency for the next CAP. [49061/19]

Agriculture Scheme Data

Charlie McConalogue

71. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved applicants to each 2019 area-based scheme in pillars 1 and 2; the number of applicants who were selected for an inspection; the number who have had their inspection and are awaiting their advance payment; the number who have had their inspection and received their advance payment; the number who have not had their inspection to date and are awaiting payment by county in tabular form. [49057/19]

Beef Industry

Charlie McConalogue

74. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first meeting of the beef market task force will take place; the agreed timeline for action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49059/19]

Medical Card Applications

Charlie McConalogue

125. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a reassessment will be carried out on a medical card application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49161/19]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Charlie McConalogue

97. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his long-term plans for a number of community hospitals in County Donegal including the community hospital in Lifford, Ramelton and St. Joseph's Hospital, Stranorlar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48863/19]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Charlie McConalogue

111. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the status of works at Carndonagh Community Hospital; if a contractor has been appointed; when works are scheduled to commence; the timeline for completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48864/19]

Schools Building Projects Status

Charlie McConalogue

200. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new building for the relocation of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48674/19]

GLAS Payments

Charlie McConalogue

360. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in a GLAS payment being issued to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48590/19]

GLAS Payments

Charlie McConalogue

368. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment for 2018 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48979/19]