Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
258 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the delays involved and expedite the processing of Tams applications for the dairy equipment scheme so that dairy farmers may proceed with works on the installation of milking machines and bulk tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22447/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, including the Dairy Equipment Scheme, are being processed as quickly as possible in the department. Over 800 approvals to commence work have already issued to farmers under that Scheme. There was a very significant over-subscription for the grant-aid available under the tranche of funding under the Dairy Equipment Scheme which closed on 31 January 2012. These applications are currently being processed within my Department in order to complete the required selection process and approvals will issue as soon as possible to those applicants who are selected. Eligible applications which do not receive approval in that particular tranche will be carried forward for consideration under the next tranche of funding.
259 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 581 of 21 March 2012, the position regarding an application for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22485/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to the reply to the Deputy's previous Question, I can again confirm that the changes referred to relate to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the changes to the rules governing which have recently been published by my Department. I can also confirm that booklets outlining the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme are currently being printed and will shortly be posted to all farmers with DAS-designated land. However, as these proposals have yet to be approved by the EU Commission, they may be subject to change.
That said, insofar as the specific enquiry of the person named is concerned, the requirements under the 2012 Scheme are as follows: In the first instance, an applicant is required to have met a stocking density in 2011, for three consecutive months, of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare. Thereafter, while the minimum stocking density remains at 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for 2012, the applicant must meet the minimum stocking requirement for six consecutive months during the scheme-year, in addition to which, the applicant is also required to meet an annual stocking density average of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare, which will be calculated over the twelve months of the scheme-year.
However, specific provision is being made for those farmers who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to a lower stocking requirement of an agri-environmental measure, such as a Commonage Framework De-stocking Plan, Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) or Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, will be written to formally and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. The principles of force majeure/exceptional circumstances will also be provided for in the process and provision will also be made for new entrants to farming.
