Written Answers Nos. 125-153
125. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department plays in ensuring the viability of island communities in particular in relation to the development of farming and fishing and the provision of piers on islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48271/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Department schemes are open to farmers including in the islands. In terms of access to fishing opportunities, fish stocks are managed at a national level and there are no specific allocations for island communities. There is opportunity for increasing Irish fish catches, including for operators based in island communities, by growing the stocks on which we are dependant and which are proximate to Ireland. There is much in the Common Fisheries Programme Reform, such as long term management of stocks, reducing and eliminating discards and rebuilding stocks to Maximum Sustainable Yield, which holds the potential to increase catches by Irish fishermen in the short and medium term.
The only island harbour that my Department is responsible for is Cape Clear’s North Harbour. The other island harbours are owned by the relevant Local Authorities who are responsible for their repair and maintenance.
Under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme my Department provides funding for minor development and repair work of Local Authority owned harbours, piers and slipways subject to the availability of adequate exchequer resources and other national priorities.
127. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to secure support for the common agricultural policy budget and his single farm payment reform proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47555/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy correctly identifies the crucial importance for Ireland of securing support for its position in relation to the EU budget and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The building of alliances with counterparts in like-minded Member States is an essential component of Ireland’s approach to both sets of negotiations.
The negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF, for the period from 2014 to 2020 are being conducted under the auspices of the EU General Affairs Council, attended by my colleague, the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. However, I have also been taking the opportunity, in the course of my extensive consultations with counterparts on the reform of the CAP - and in preparation for the Irish Presidency of the Agriculture Council - to make very clear Ireland’s concerns in relation to the elements of the budget negotiations that have a direct bearing on the CAP.
The overriding national priority is to safeguard CAP funding to the maximum extent possible, having regard to the reality that CAP accounts for over 80% of Ireland’s total receipts of EU funding, equivalent to about €12 billion over the 2007-2013 period. This is a whole of Government position. The CAP is the only expenditure heading that has already been reduced in real terms in the Commission proposal. There is pressure from some Member States to reduce CAP spending further - and this has been reflected in the latest version of the Negotiating Box circulated by the Cypriot Presidency last week. The Irish Government’s view remains that the amounts proposed by the Commission are the minimum acceptable, and we will strongly resist pressure for further cuts.
We also want to retain our current levels of funding for both direct payments and for rural development. The Commission proposals for Pillar 1 direct payments take a pragmatic approach to redistribution and are broadly satisfactory, albeit with a small loss to Ireland. However, the Presidency’s communication last week raises the prospect of cuts to both pillars, and we will therefore continue to strongly defend our allocations in the course of the negotiations.
Ultimately, of course, decisions on the MFF will be taken by EU Heads of State and Government. A special meeting of the European Council has been scheduled for the 22nd and 23rd of this month for this purpose, and it is my intention to attend those talks.
More specifically in relation to CAP reform, the building of alliances is something that I have undertaken since my appointment in March of last year. Dialogue with my counterparts in other Member States has been a constant feature of the negotiations thus far, and has been particularly effective in recent months in our efforts to ensure that the scale of transfers arising from the redistribution of direct payments within Member States is kept to the minimum possible level.
The Deputy will be aware that, under the Commission’s flat rate proposals, the scale of transfers in Ireland would be extremely large, and both economically and politically unjustifiable. Approximately 75,000 farmers would see their payments rise by an average of 85%, while 55,000 would see their payments fall by an average of 33%. An alternative approach developed by Ireland, involving the application of the Commission’s methodology for the distribution of direct payments between Member States, would ensure more modest gains of an average of 29% and losses of 9%.
I have been working closely with like-minded Member States to gain support for this alternative approach, which is consistent with the Commission’s desire to move away from the historical basis for direct payments but does not go as far or as fast as the Commission proposes. And I have been very successful, with five Member States - Denmark, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Luxembourg - signing up to a joint paper with Ireland that calls for Member States to be given the flexibility to apply this model. Other Member States have also shown interest, and we are continuing to consult with them. I am hopeful that these efforts will result in greater flexibility being given to Member States to implement models that suit their own farming conditions, and will mitigate the potential impact of the move away from the reference to historical payments.
Of course all of these bilateral contacts are in addition to the opportunities that I have availed of to discuss issues of importance to Ireland with my Ministerial colleagues from the other Member States - and Commissioner Ciolos - at the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings held each month in Brussels or Luxembourg, and at the Informal Ministerial Councils, held this year, for example, in Denmark and Cyprus. I have also addressed the Agricultural Committee of the European Parliament, and have met with key MEPs including Rapporteurs and Shadow Rapporteurs across the different CAP reform dossiers, as well as key interlocutors in the Commission and in the Council Secretariat.
I plan to continue these contacts over the coming months, and to engage actively with Ministerial colleagues from other Member States, with the Commissioner and with Members of the European Parliament. My approach will continue to be informed at all times by the need to maintain and develop alliances with like-minded Member States in order to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland in the CAP reform negotiations.
I should add that my contacts at Ministerial level are supplemented by a parallel process of detailed engagement at official level by my Department with counterparts from the Commission, European Parliament and other Member States.
128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of boats disqualified from fishing for herring this year due to the changes in the rules introduced by him this year; the home ports of the vessels in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48265/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the North West coast and the Atlanto Scandian stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management. It was very clear from these documents that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed. I asked my Department to examine the proposals received and to prepare for me a number of options, which as far as practically possible, took the views of stakeholders into account while delivering proper and effective management.
On 22 December 2011, I published a draft policy document on the matter which I believe meets the objectives to the greatest extent possible. I again carried out a written consultation process and received 49 written submissions. I then met the industry regarding the draft policy and again there was no consensus.
Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, I came to a decision which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks. The policy is based on giving access to each of the fisheries to those with recent track record in that particular fishery. The track record involves vessels having landed a minimum of 5 tonnes of herring in 2009 or 2010 or in 3 of the 5 years during the period 2006 to 2010. In addition, there are some very limited specified circumstances where an earlier track record may be taken into account.
Both the North West Herring Fishery and the Celtic Sea Herring fishery are ring fenced separately based on the vessels track record in each fishery. A vessel may have qualified in one or both fisheries depending on the vessel’s track record as specified above.
The only exception to track record relates to small vessels in the Dunmore area for the Celtic Sea fishery where a small scale local fishery is permitted in line with the Rebuilding/ Management Plan for the fishery. Two modest restricted quota fisheries were established for vessels under 20m in overall length without a track record, in both the Celtic Sea and Area VIa South.
The decision made was based on a clear, detailed and objective assessment of the fisheries in recent years. This policy is intended to ensure the long term sustainability of the herring fisheries by limiting participation in the main fisheries to those vessels which have participated in the fishery, in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the review, even at a low level.
There are 33 vessels which were not precluded from fishing for herring under the old system (i.e. less than or equal to 19.81m Registered Length) but which are now precluded from fishing for herring because they are greater than or equal to 20m in Length Overall and did not have the track record specified for qualification as set out above. This list does not include all vessels of under 20m in overall length who would have in the past had the option to book into the fishery and receive an individual allocation for herring as there was no restriction in their licenses but did not have a track record of fishing for herring and now have access to allocations set under the modest restricted fishery on a periodic basis. The vessels are shown below according to the registered home port of the vessel. This does not necessarily reflect the operational home port of the vessel.
|
Registered Home Port |
Vessels > 20m LOA without Herring Access |
|
Sligo |
2 |
|
Cork |
5 |
|
Arklow/Dublin |
1 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Skibbereen |
10 |
|
Drogheda |
10 |
|
Galway |
3 |
129. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the details of proposals in relation to the stocking of commonages; the level of consultation he has had in relation to this issue with farmers in the regions affected; if he intends to organise public meetings that he will attend, similar to those he organised recently in relation to the reform of the common agricultural policy, to discuss this issue directly with farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48258/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is proposing to introduce measures under the provisions of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 for the maintenance of certain lands, including commonages declared under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, REPS, AEOS and the Grassland Sheep Scheme. As part of this process the Commonage Framework Plans, first published in 2002, have been reviewed in co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to take account of the current vegetative condition of commonages nationally. This review which replaces the Commonage Framework Plans has been carried out on a commonage LPIS parcel basis and sets a minimum and maximum number of ewe equivalents (EE) required to graze the commonage parcel to ensure that it is maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC)
The overall numbers required for each commonage LPIS parcel are apportioned to all claimants on a commonage based on the area of the commonage they claimed on their 2012 SPS application. This information is available on the Department’s website. The area of commonage claimed by an applicant on their SPS application does not amend or adjust the actual share of the commonage owned by them.
Maintaining commonage land in GAEC is vital to protect against areas being deemed ineligible under the Single Payment Scheme, other Direct Aid Schemes and consequential imposition of sanctions under Cross Compliance/GAEC provisions. All shareholders have a role to play in making sure that penalties are avoided and a collective approach to grazing the commonage minimises the risk of this happening. The Department is proposing, therefore, that scheme claimants will be required to submit details to Department in writing, of the number of ewe equivalents each will graze on the commonage to achieve the required grazing number across the whole commonage parcel. The collective agreement will allow flexibility for claimants to increase sheep numbers up to at least the minimum while not exceeding the maximum allowed.
The Department has been in on-going discussion for some time with the farming organisations in relation to the proposed changes. Further meetings are underway this week. Arrangements for the implementation of the proposals will be announced when final decisions have been made.
131. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation made in each of the past five years to local authorities for marine harbours and piers and coastal protection works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48272/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme on an annual basis. The Programme provides funding for the development of the six state owned fishery harbours and aquaculture landing places.
Subject to the availability of necessary exchequer funding, the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme does in addition, provide funding for harbour development works at Local Authority owned piers and harbours.
On the 1st January 2009 the functions and responsibilities in relation to coastal protection and coastal flooding were transferred to the Office of Public Works.
The following tables show the funding allocated by my Department to the Local Authorities for these programmes over the past 5 years:
Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme
Local Authority Programme
|
Year |
Approved funding |
|
2008 |
€9.6 m |
|
2009(No Programme) |
€0.0 |
|
2010 |
€707,667 |
|
2011 |
€1.7 m |
|
2012 |
€2.7 m |
Coastal Protection Programme
|
Year |
Approved funding |
|
2008 |
€2.4 m |
132. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money paid out to date and the number of recipients in each case under the single payment scheme and the disadvantaged area scheme broken down by county; the number in each county under each scheme that have not had their payments processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48246/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the case of the Single Farm Payment, the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December. However earlier this year in recognition of the difficult financial situation faced by many farmers I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 16 October. This is the earliest possible legal date for making advance payments, it being the start of the new EU financial year.
The payment figures for SPS applicants up to 5th November are as follows:
|
COUNTY |
No. of applicants |
No. Paid |
Amount Paid |
Applicants to be Paid |
|
CARLOW |
1,617 |
1,525 |
€11,777,498.31 |
92 |
|
CAVAN |
4,681 |
4,343 |
€16,854,451.36 |
338 |
|
CLARE |
5,987 |
5,733 |
€23,362,122.62 |
254 |
|
CORK |
12,759 |
11,938 |
€79,164,240.90 |
821 |
|
DONEGAL |
7,975 |
7,438 |
€22,804,401.54 |
537 |
|
DUBLIN |
621 |
548 |
€3,767,468.76 |
73 |
|
GALWAY |
11,760 |
11,109 |
€38,625,117.60 |
651 |
|
KERRY |
7,504 |
7,260 |
€29,026,735.85 |
244 |
|
KILDARE |
1,998 |
1,892 |
€14,861,201.96 |
106 |
|
KILKENNY |
3,395 |
3,118 |
€25,576,570.71 |
277 |
|
LAOIS |
2,885 |
2,774 |
€19,654,424.59 |
111 |
|
LEITRIM |
3,329 |
2,957 |
€7,791,415.46 |
372 |
|
LIMERICK |
5,038 |
4,843 |
€25,764,637.23 |
195 |
|
LONGFORD |
2,320 |
2,186 |
€9,547,670.51 |
134 |
|
LOUTH |
1,474 |
1,393 |
€9,283,935.96 |
81 |
|
MAYO |
11,258 |
10,151 |
€27,749,725.90 |
1,107 |
|
MEATH |
3,678 |
3,562 |
€26,609,674.27 |
116 |
|
MONAGHAN |
3,928 |
3,614 |
€14,385,133.05 |
314 |
|
OFFALY |
2,986 |
2,775 |
€17,116,778.53 |
211 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5,597 |
5,163 |
€19,200,664.44 |
434 |
|
SLIGO |
3,854 |
3,582 |
€10,702,457.73 |
272 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6,828 |
6,592 |
€48,990,312.31 |
236 |
|
WATERFORD |
2,391 |
2,316 |
€19,281,233.01 |
75 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2,891 |
2,661 |
€15,113,130.39 |
230 |
|
WEXFORD |
3,947 |
3,841 |
€30,020,683.96 |
106 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,049 |
1,771 |
€12,224,446.57 |
278 |
|
122,750 |
115,085 |
€579,256,133.52 |
7,665 |
Advance payments will continue to be made on clear cases, twice weekly, on an on-going basis. The balancing payments will commence as provided for under EU legislation from 1st December.
Payments under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 26 September; payments have continued to issue, twice weekly, as cases are confirmed eligible. The payment figures as at 5 November are as per the following table:
County Stats Reports 2012
|
County Name |
Applied |
Paid |
Gross Amount |
Percentage Paid |
|
Carlow |
789 |
660 |
€1,371,613.28 |
83.65% |
|
Cavan |
4,952 |
4,078 |
€8,971,202.28 |
82.35% |
|
Clare |
6,254 |
5,283 |
€12,945,471.87 |
84.47% |
|
Cork |
7,310 |
5,965 |
€13,788,422.24 |
81.60% |
|
Donegal |
8,790 |
6,503 |
€15,049,576.41 |
73.98% |
|
Dublin |
155 |
107 |
€228,726.87 |
69.03% |
|
Galway |
12,520 |
9,831 |
€21,463,718.50 |
78.52% |
|
Kerry |
7,935 |
6,330 |
€15,813,003.56 |
79.77% |
|
Kildare |
544 |
443 |
€788,710.58 |
81.43% |
|
Kilkenny |
1,824 |
1,484 |
€3,111,789.83 |
81.36% |
|
Laois |
1,763 |
1,496 |
€3,004,467.32 |
84.86% |
|
Leitrim |
3,574 |
2,708 |
€6,138,324.87 |
75.77% |
|
Limerick |
3,012 |
2,478 |
€4,973,679.91 |
82.27% |
|
Longford |
2,440 |
2,041 |
€4,561,723.63 |
83.65% |
|
Louth |
825 |
634 |
€1,064,758.89 |
76.85% |
|
Mayo |
12,000 |
8,858 |
€18,828,710.71 |
73.82% |
|
Meath |
1,385 |
1,201 |
€2,219,593.66 |
86.71% |
|
Monaghan |
4,162 |
3,418 |
€6,927,952.91 |
82.12% |
|
Offaly |
2,487 |
2,004 |
€4,046,113.53 |
80.58% |
|
Roscommon |
5,905 |
4,699 |
€10,572,404.85 |
79.58% |
|
Sligo |
4,175 |
3,245 |
€7,191,581.88 |
77.72% |
|
Tipperary |
4,666 |
3,915 |
€8,462,108.38 |
83.90% |
|
Waterford |
1,500 |
1,241 |
€2,553,156.79 |
82.73% |
|
Westmeath |
2,722 |
2,239 |
€4,591,056.55 |
82.26% |
|
Wexford |
1,562 |
1,220 |
€2,239,658.55 |
78.10% |
|
Wicklow |
1,843 |
1,390 |
€3,371,462.31 |
75.42% |
|
TOTALS |
105,094 |
83,471 |
€184,278,990.16 |
79.43% |
133. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in cases in which farmers have had their stocking level limited in a REP scheme plan, a national parks and wildlife plan or an agri environment option scheme plan the level of tolerance under the maximum stocking permitted which was allowed by him in assessing applications for a derogation under the disadvantage area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48259/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants in 2012 must have met (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare) and (b) 0.15 livestock units per hectare in 2012.
However, in recognition of the environmental objectives of the Scheme, specific provisions were 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 lower stocking by agri-environmental measure. All applicants, whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, were formally written to 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.
In excess of 10,000 farmers were written to and, of these, almost 9,500 sought derogation. Applicants were invited to apply for derogation under one or more of six categories, one of which – Category 1 – was specifically for those whose farming activity had been restricted by virtue of adherence to a recognised agri-environmental plan.
134. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farm inspections that have taken place this year on a monthly basis under the single farm payment regime; the number that took place each month in 2011; the number of farmers that have been penalised under the scheme each month in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48277/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs it is not possible to compile the full information requested in the available timescale, I am arranging for it to be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
135. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that grant aid in respect of animal welfare which amounts to €1.1 million per year is value for money and that the various organisations are providing a service that is in keeping with funding from public moneys; if he is satisfied that they publish accounts and have audited accounts of public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47231/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1995, my Department has made ex-gratia payments to a number of organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care. This funding is intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of an organisation.
Applications for funding are considered against a number of criteria. These include the standing of each applicant, past performance in respect of utilisation of grants from my Department and impact, real and potential (i.e. that direct care and welfare services to animals have been delivered which have had a meaningful impact on animal welfare in the locality). The levels of grant assistance provided also take account of the fact that large urban areas make particularly onerous demands on animal welfare services. In considering the amounts granted in each case, a conscious effort is made to achieve proportionality and the greatest possible spread of benefits from within available resources.
In December 2011 each organisation received a copy of the code of practice which sets out recommendations to promote sound welfare and management practice that all animal welfare organisations should adhere to. All applicants with income in excess of €100,000 are required to submit audited accounts.
136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the context of Budget discussions, he has raised the issue with the Department of Finance in relation to the importance of maintaining the farm taxation measures introduced in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48261/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of new tax measures were introduced in 2012, with a view to
- encourage farming as a career for young people;
- incentivise farm partnerships and greater productivity at farm level;
- stimulate land sales and land transfers;
- facilitate new enterprise opportunities in farming; and
- help agri-food businesses innovate and export.
The new stock relief measure for farm partnerships introduced from January 2012 is intended to encourage more farmers to enter into partnership agreements. For registered farm partnerships, the current rate of 25% stock relief was increased to 50%, and, for certain young trained farmers entering such partnerships, a rate of 100% stock relief is available. This new incentive will run until December 2015. I believe that collaboration through partnership can improve farm structures generally, facilitating farms to operate more efficiently, increasing scale on farms, and bringing more innovative and energetic young prospective farmers into farming. More farming partnerships are required to increase productivity and meet the Food Harvest 2020 targets. Several events were organised this year to encourage the concept of partnership amongst Irish farmers.
Budget 2012 reduced the stamp duty rate on agricultural land from 6% to 2%. In addition, half the rate (1%) will be applicable on transfers to close relatives until the end of 2014. This change will substantially reduce the stamp duty payable on transfers of farm land by gift or by sale. It should stimulate a stagnant land market – currently only 0.5% of total agricultural land is offered for sale annually – and ensure that land transfers to more active producers. It will also promote inter-generational transfer, as the cost of lifetime transfer to transferees who do not qualify for the young trained farmer stamp duty relief has reduced considerably.
Budget 2012 restructured the retirement relief available on Capital Gains Tax in order to incentivise the earlier transfer of farm assets to the next generation, and to encourage the sale of land by those farmers with no successors. As of 1st January 2014, for those farmers aged 66 and over, an upper limit of €3m will be introduced on family transfers, compared to an unlimited amount currently. On non-family transfers, the current upper limit of €750,000 will be reduced to €500,000. Applying the new limits from 1st January 2014 allows farmers already aged 66 and over to plan the orderly transfer of assets in advance of that date.
Other tax changes introduced in budget 2012 which benefit the agri-food industry include:
- Additional supports which will benefit the food industry including improvements to the R&D tax credit and a Foreign Earnings Deduction to apply where an individual spends 60 days a year developing markets for Ireland in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
- The VAT rate applied to open farms (such as pet farms) will be 9% rather than the new standard rate of 23%. This will be of significant benefit to such farms, which offer an important opportunity for farm diversification. It brings the treatment of open farms into line with the VAT rate applied to museums and other cultural attractions.
- The exemption rate for the Universal Social Charge has been raised from €4,004 to €10,036. This will be of particular benefit to low-paid seasonal workers in the farming sector.
- Consistent with the commitment in the Programme for Government on carbon tax, farmers are now allowed a double income tax deduction in respect of the increased costs arising from the change in carbon tax (the carbon tax is to increase from €15 per tonne to €20 per tonne from 1 May 2012 for agricultural diesel).
- An amendment to the VAT refund order for farm construction will allow farmers to claim a refund on wind turbines purchased from 1st January 2012.
The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect the Government’s commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. This commitment will continue to inform future budgetary policy.
137. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of 2012 payments his Department expect to have paid by the 31 December 2012 under each of the following schemes, agri environment option scheme 1 and 2, REP scheme, disadvantaged area scheme and the single payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48250/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs regards the Single Payment Scheme, advance payments of 50% started issuing on cases cleared for payment, as scheduled, on 16 October. Since that date about 115,000 applicants have been paid some €579M. Advance payments will continue to be made on clear cases, twice weekly, on an on-going basis. The balancing payments will commence as provided for under EU legislation from 1st December.
The number of farmers not cleared for payment of the advance of the Single Farm Payment on 5th November is 7,665 or 6.24% of applicants. My Department will continue to clear the maximum possible number of these cases for payment by the 31st December. However, due to the number of variables involved, it is not possible, at this stage, to indicate what the year-end outturn will be.
Payments under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 26 September and, to date, payments worth some €185,864,741 have issued to 83,921 applicants. Given the changes to the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Scheme, prompted by the need to achieve the savings necessitated due to budgetary restrictions, it is difficult to project the level of spend that will be achieved by year-end. That said, however, every effort is being made to maximise the expenditure under the Scheme in the current calendar year. To this end payments are continuing to issue twice weekly, as individual cases are confirmed eligible for payment.
As regards the agri-environmental schemes of REPS and AEOS, under the governing EU Regulations, comprehensive administrative checks, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, as well as field inspections must be completed before payments can issue. Actual expenditure in any one year will depend on the completion of this process and on the and level of query resolution on individual claims.
I expect that 2012 payments of REPS 4 and of both AEOS 1 and 2 to commence shortly and my and my objective is to ensure that as many REPS and AEOS participant as possible are paid by year end.
138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input he had, in the decision to grant an exploratory licence to a company (details supplied) to drill and conduct seismic surveys in the major fishing area of Dublin Bay and the Kish Bank. [48408/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the input he had, in the decision to grant an exploratory licence to a company (details supplied) to drill and conduct seismic surveys in the major fishing area of Dublin Bay and the Kish Bank. [48409/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 141 together.
The foreshore licence application referred to by the Deputies was referred by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to my Department for observations in December 2011.
Following an assessment of the application by the Marine Institute, my Department advised the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in February 2012 that the activity associated with the application will not have a significant impact on aquaculture or fishery related activities in the study area provided that the mitigation measures outlined as part of the application are implemented in full.
139. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the present remuneration package for the CEO of Coillte Ireland; and his plans to reduce this package. [47690/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe present remuneration package of the Chief Executive Officer of Coillte Teoranta includes a basic salary of €265,252 per annum, a pension contribution (equating to 25% of base salary), a car allowance and health insurance. There is also provision for the payment of Performance Related Awards. In relation to the latter, the Government has decided to continue the policy of requesting Commercial State Companies not to award such bonus payments in recognition of the serious state of the public finances.
The Government agreed, in June 2011, to the adoption of a general policy that a salary ceiling of €250,000 will apply to future appointments of Chief Executive Officers of Commercial State Companies.
140. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that a sugar industry will once again be established here; his views on the importance of this for food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48263/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Sugar Regime underwent a radical reform in 2005 following major EU decisions to restructure this regime and Greencore, the holder of the entire Irish sugar quota, availed of this voluntary scheme, dismantled its facilities and ceased production in 2006. Post reform, production is now concentrated in 18 Member States. The present regime runs from 1 September 2006 to the 30 September 2015. There is no mechanism under the present EU Regulations which would allow for the re-instatement of the sugar quota for the growing of sugar beet in Ireland for the production of sugar. Of course, sugar beet is still grown in Ireland as a fodder crop.
In 2011 I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies, into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. At both meetings, I stated that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility would have to be a commercial proposition, financed in total by investors and interested parties and make sound economic sense in order to be viable.
I also further suggested to both groups, the desirability of there being only one single proposition in play, as both studies had indicated a potential for only one such viable project and both groups had appeared to accept the reasonableness of this position at the time. Only recently, I re-stated that any business plan for a new venture in this area, would need to be competitive and that it would justify the very substantial investment to build a new facility.
I have strongly supported the current EU Commission’s proposal to completely abolish sugar quotas from 30 September 2015, as part of the ongoing CAP reform discussions. At each meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers since October 2011, which has addressed this issue, I have intervened to fully support the Commission proposals for quota abolition. I also raised the issue with EU Agriculture Commissioner, Ciolos during his visit to Ireland in January 2012 and at the time I informed him of the growing momentum here for the revival of the sugar industry.
I also advised the Commissioner that while Ireland supports full quota abolition in 2015, if the regime were to continue beyond that date, Ireland does not want to be deprived, in the interim period of the option to recommence production. I am also aware of a significant number of Member States which wish to see the current sugar quota regime extended to 2017 or 2018. In addition, the European Parliament have clearly stated that they want the regime extended to 2020, so I expect that in the eventual conclusion to these complex reform negotiations, in which the sugar question is but one significant element, a compromise outcome will be agreed. I will endeavour to ensure that if the sugar quota regime does get extended beyond 2015, Ireland will be allowed to access a sufficient quota amount, to ensure the reinstatement of a viable sugar industry here.
I am most actively involved in these negotiations between Member States, on all aspects of the CAP Reform Proposals, including those concerning the EU sugar regime.
During the first half of 2013, Ireland will hold the Presidency of the EU and I will assume the role of Chairman of the Council of Agriculture Ministers during that 6 month period. Based on current progress and developments in these negotiations, I believe that agreement on the CAP Reform measures can be concluded in the Council, including an outcome on the future of the EU sugar quota regime, during our Presidency period.
142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total cost in 2012 of forest premium being paid by his Department; the number of recipients and the number of these receiving more than €20,000 per annum, more than €50,000 per annum and more than a €100,000 per annum respectively, in praemia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48274/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage of the year, it is not possible to give the exact cost of forestry premiums that will be paid in 2012, as the final cost will depend of the number of correct applications submitted by clients by the year end. However, the total cost to 31st October 2012 was €74,927,283 and this was paid to 14,165 forest owners. Of these:
- 397 owners received between €20,000 and €50,000
- 44 owners received between €50,000 and €100,000
- 14 owners received in excess of €100,000.
143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme 4 payments and agri environment option scheme 1 and 2 payments will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48249/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraREPS and AEOS are area based schemes which are co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and EU Regulations governing the Schemes must be strictly adhered to. These require that a full and comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, as well as field inspections, must be completed before payment issue. The Commission have made it clear, in the course of audits, that all checks must be passed and eligibility conditions met. This means that a farmer’s application must be fully in order, all outstanding documentation provided and queries resolved before payment can be released to him or her. Given these requirements, my officials take considerable care in validating payments while also ensuring that farmers receive their payments as soon as possible. In overall terms, the situation is that preparations for payments are now at an advanced stage and I expect that payments under both REPS and AEOS in respect of the 2012 scheme year will commence shortly.
144. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach the number of companies operating here that have 100 employees or more. [47787/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest year for which the information requested is available is 2010. In that year there were 1,268 enterprises operating in Ireland that had 100 or more persons engaged. Of these, 1,033 were limited companies and 235 were other legal forms of ownership.
These figures are based on the CSO's Central Business Register and the following definitions apply:
1. Persons engaged include employees, proprietors and family members. Employees are persons who are paid a fixed wage or salary. Persons at work or temporarily absent because of illness, holidays, strike etc. are included in the definition while persons working on a labour-only subcontract basis are excluded. Proprietors and family members are those proprietors, partners and members of their families who work regularly in the firm and are not paid a definite wage or salary.
2. A public or private limited company is a private or publicly quoted joint stock company with limited liability for those owning shares.
3. Other legal forms of ownership include a) personally owned limited and unlimited liability partnerships, b) individual proprietorships which are personally owned and have no limit to personal liability and c) other legal forms such as cooperatives, associations etc.
145. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the full cost to the Exchequer in the previous 12 months for his Department staff attending conferences including registration fees and travel. [47233/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the full cost to the Exchequer in the previous 12 months for his Department staff attending conferences including registration fees and travel. [48392/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 154 together.
The total cost incurred by my Department in relation to staff attending conferences from October 2011 to the end of September 2012 was €5,533.42. This includes spend associated with travel costs and accommodation as well as conference fees.
146. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members of his Department that have been awarded internal promotions and or additional acting up or temporary allowances to perform more senior roles since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades involved; the pre-promotion temporary acting and post promotion temporary acting pay scales; the total increase in salary payments to each staff member involved; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting any such decision; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47234/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the internal promotions to permanent positions in my Department since 27 March 2009 are set out in the table beneath.
|
Grade to which Officer was Promoted |
Previous Grade |
Number of Promotions |
Areas to which each promoted officer was assigned |
|
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officers |
3 |
- two to Economic, International and Northern Ireland Division. - one to Public Service Modernisation Division (now transferred to the Department of Public Expenditure and Refrom |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
1 Administrative Officer 1Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
- one to Corporate Affairs. - one to Economic, International and Northern Ireland Division. |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
1 |
Economic, International and Northern Ireland Division. |
|
Executive Officer |
3 Clerical Officers |
3 |
- one to EU Affairs and Co-ordinaton Division. - one to Government Secretariat. - one to Corporate Affairs. |
|
Head Service Officer |
Service Officer |
1 |
Corporate Affairs. |
The total increased salary cost arising from these promotions was €64,639. The average salary increase for the officers promoted to Principal Officer is €9,439; for officers promoted, for Assistant Principal Officer it was €12,479; and for Executive Officers it was €2,593. The average salary increase between the other two grades where promotions took place was €1,792.
All staff were, and continue to be paid in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure pay circulars, copies of which are available on that Department's website, www.per.gov.ie.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction was received in respect of each promotion in accordance with standard procedures . My Department has undergone a reduction in both staff numbers (down 18%) and budget (down 44%) in recent years. Each promotion was required to fill a vacancy in my Department which was considered essential to fill in order to ensure the Department's ongoing objectives are achieved.
No staff in my Department have been awarded acting up allowances since 27 March 2009.
The current Secretary General and one Assistant Secretary previously served in my department in the grades of Assistant Secretary and Principal Officer respectively.
147. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members from his Department that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total amount of savings achieved in salary payments in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff; the details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47235/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009, three posts in my Department engaged in the work of the Information Society Commission which now comes within the remit of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources were redeployed to that Department. The posts involved were one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer, and one Higher Executive Officer. As some functions regarding the Information Society Commission were transferred to the Department of Finance at that time also, one Administrative Officer redeployed from my Department to the Department of Finance. The total salary savings for my Department arising from the transfer of Information Society Commission functions was €322,936.
Arising from the commitment in the Programme for Government, sections and posts in my Department which had been engaged in work that now comes within the responsibility of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform transferred to that Department in 2011, along with some support staff. The total number of staff that transferred was 27.
The grades of the staff that were redeployed were: one Assistant Secretary; five Principal Officers; six Assistant Principal Officers; four Administrative Officers; one Higher Executive Officer; two Executive Officers; three Staff Officers; and five Clerical Officers. The salary saving arising for my Department was €1,639,543.
Details of staff temporarily seconded from my Department since 27 March 2009 are set out in the table beneath:
|
Grade of Officer Seconded |
Organisation Seconded To |
Purpose of Secondment |
Duration of Secondment |
|
Principal Officer |
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
To work on the Commemorations Programme |
to July 2013 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
CSO |
To work on the census |
to end 2012 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
State Laboratory |
To work as Head of Corporate Services |
to April 2015 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
Public Appointments Service |
To work in IT area |
to September 2015 |
|
Executive Officer |
CSO |
To work on the census |
From October 2010 to October 2012 |
The annual salary savings in relation to these temporary secondments is €384,819.
All staff redeployed or seconded from my Department were paid as per the salary scales prescribed in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 28/2009, copies of which are available on that Department's website, www.per.gov.ie.
148. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff members that have been temporarily and or permanently redeployed to his Department from other Government Departments or agencies since 27 March 2009; the details of the grades and pay scales involved; the total increase in salary payments for his Department in respect of the persons concerned; the duration of assignments; the area to which each person was assigned; the business reasons supporting the redeployment of staff, details of sanction received from the Department of Finance and or Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from the commitment in the Programme for Government a new EU Co-ordination Division was established in my Department with personnel from my Department’s existing EU and International Division and 20 staff from the EU Affairs Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, comprising 11 staff who were permanently redeployed to my Department and 9 staff who were temporarily seconded.
The breakdown in grades of those redeployed is one Assistant Principal Officer, four Executive Offices and six Clerical Officers. Two Counsellors, three First Secretaries and four Third Secretaries were temporarily seconded. The duration of their secondments will be in keeping with the usual policy of secondments of diplomatic staff employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The annual increase in the salary costs for my Department arising from these redeployment and secondments is €1,078,313.
Details of the permanent redeployments to my Department since 27 March 2009, are set out at Table 1 while Table 2 contains details of the temporary redeployments/secondments to my Department. Each redeployment filled a vacancy which was considered essential to ensure the Department continues to meet its ongoing objectives. The total annual cost arising from these redeployments is €546,401. The usual arrangements for Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction in relation to these redeployment were applicable.
Table 1 - Permanent Redeployments
|
Number (wte) |
Grade |
Area Assigned To |
|
1 |
Service Officer |
Corporate Affairs |
|
1 |
Assistant Principal Officer |
IT Unit |
|
1 |
Executive Officer |
Merrionstreet.ie |
Table 2 - Temporary Redeployments / Secondments
|
Number (wte) |
Grade |
Area Assigned To |
|
1 |
Principal Officer |
Economic, International & Northern Ireland |
|
0.5 |
Principal Officer |
EU Affairs and Co-ordination Division |
|
0.5 |
Principal Officer |
Constitutional Convention |
|
1 |
Administrative Officer |
Government Press Office |
|
1 |
Third Secretary |
Private Secretary to the Minister of State for European |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer |
EU Affairs and Co-ordination Division |
|
1 |
Higher Executive Officer |
Government Press Office |
149. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if there is a North South Co-operation unit in his Department; the number of staff working in the North South Co-operation unit; the number of staff that have worked in the North South Co-operation unit in each year since 2007. [47237/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48552/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 156 together.
The Department of the Taoiseach does not have a North South Cooperation Unit as such. The Northern Ireland Section which has been in existence in the Department for many years continues to support me on all matters relevant to Northern Ireland and plays an important role in co-ordinating matters relating to North South Co-operation across Departments.
The work of the Section is overseen by an Assistant Secretary and is currently staffed by one Principal Officer; one Assistant Principal (whole time equivalent); one Administrative Officer; one Higher Exective Officer and one Clerical Officer. There are no current vacancies in this Section.
Details of the staff levels from the year 2007 -2011 are included in the table below
|
Year |
No. of Staff (W.T.E.) |
|
2007 |
6 |
|
2008 |
6.4 |
|
2009 |
8 |
|
2010 |
7.9 |
|
2011 |
7.9 |
150. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in a tabular form, a list of all professional fees including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT related, advisory, advertising, and accountancy, the company name and the amount invoiced since March 2011 to the end of June 2012. [47254/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the list of suppliers to my Department of professional services, where professional services withholding tax has been applied, and the total paid from 1 March 2011 to end June 2012, including professional services withholding tax, according to my Department's Financial Management System.
|
Vendor Name |
Total Paid |
|
DESIGN FACTORY |
€17,552.10 |
|
FIONA SHERIDAN |
€80.00 |
|
GER GARLAND |
€1,328.40 |
|
ERSKINE, CAROLINE |
€19,803.00 |
|
JDK DESIGN |
€114.95 |
|
POWER DESIGN |
€1,076.90 |
|
TERMINAL FOUR LTD |
€91,654.71 |
|
RED DOG DESIGN CONSULTANTS |
€1,635.90 |
|
GERALYN DOWNEY |
€200.00 |
|
MSA (MICHAEL SLATTERY ASSOC) |
€23,595.00 |
|
TOWERS WATSON (IRELAND) LTD |
€12,100.00 |
151. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by the his Department since March 2011. [47240/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below provides details of external reports commissioned by my Department from March 2011 to end September 2012.
|
Name of Consultant |
Details of Report Commissioned |
€ |
|
QTS Limited |
Health and Safety Consultancy Health and Safety Statement 2011 |
€ 1,270.50 |
|
QTS Limited |
Health & Safety Consultancy - Health and Safety Statement 2012 |
€ 1,270.50 |
152. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Taoiseach the names of each staff member within his Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47301/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo staff who retired from my Department before March 2011 have been re-hired.
153. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all the Gaeltacht allowance payable to civil and public servants; the level of each allowance payable to each category and the monetary level of each allowance together with the total amount payable in 2009, 2010 and 2011. [47479/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaff in my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the only agency under its aegis, are not eligible to claim the Gaeltacht allowance as they are based in Dublin only. Consequently no costs arose for my Department or NESDO during the period in question.
