Written Answers Nos. 204-212
204. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a payment (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their disadvantaged area payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43682/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment issued on 9 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
205. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43683/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment issued on 9 October to the nominated bank account of the person named.
206. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43684/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned is an applicant under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes.
In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As this process had not been completed in sufficient time, it was not possible to include the person concerned with the initial tranche of DAS payments on 26 September. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be granted their 2012 disadvantaged area based payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43759/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2012. However, payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, it has not been possible to verify that one of the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Scheme, relating to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per forage acre declared, has been satisfied. Once it has been possible to verify that this requirement has been met, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
208. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine in view of the suspension in 2009 in accepting new applications to many farm schemes including REP scheme, installation aid and early retirement scheme, the reductions in administrative and inspection staff in the years 2010 and 2011. [43764/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department manages staff numbers and their assignment on an on-going basis to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of services. Restructuring has been a feature of my Department since early 2005 and overall staff numbers have reduced by some 1,500 full time equivalent (FTE) staff in that period. Assessments of needs and the assignment of resources take account of a range of factors such as the workload under existing schemes and services, including those schemes that may be closed to new applicants, the implementation of new schemes, the level of inspections required under EU regulations, food safety and other regulatory obligations and, in recent years, the changes in staff levels and work practices arising from the rationalisation of local offices. The Department must also have regard to the moratorium on recruitment and promotion and the constraints imposed by overall staff numbers as set out in the employment control framework.
Staff numbers in the Department fell by 249 and 107 in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the future of Donadea Forest Park, County Kildare with particular reference to the locally supported and preferred options for the development of the park and its historical buildings as an amenity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43771/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that Donadea Forest Park is an important recreational amenity in North Kildare. The park is owned by Coillte which is cognisant of the important resource that the park provides for the local community and visitors to the area. Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as mentioned by the Deputy, are the responsibility of the company.
I have however made enquiries with Coillte on the matter and I understand that Coillte has had informal discussions with local community representatives about further potential developments in Donadea Forest Park. However, Coillte has not had any formal proposal from local representatives in relation to these potential developments.
210. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if either he or the Minister for State have met representatives from the fur farming industry; if so, the date on which the meeting took place; and the outcome of that meeting. [43795/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met briefly with some fur farmers whilst on a visit to the North West and Minister of State, Mr Shane McEntee TD, had another meeting at the request of an Oireachtas member where the farmers put forward their case for the retention of the fur industry in Ireland. Separately, my officials would have met with a number of parties and individuals in preparation of the report on fur farming.
211. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment option scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [43803/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,308.32 in respect of 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is well advanced in respect of the 2012 scheme year and I expect that payments will commence before the end of the year.
212. Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the reason a reduced amount was paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43808/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 2 May 2012.
A reduced payment issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 26 September 2012, as a result of the application of the differential rate of aid. Following clarification regarding the location of the farm hub on the holding, the case is being further processed with a view to a balancing payment issuing as soon as possible.
