Joe Carey
Ceist:172. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding all 2013 CAP payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53427/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSingle Payment Scheme Administration
Ceisteanna (172)
Freagraí scríofa
An application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013. He was the subject of a cross report from this Department's ERAD Division on 24 October 2013 that detailed cross compliance breaches concerning the identification and registration of bovines and significant issues concerning animal welfare. These breaches resulted in a 65% penalty being recorded against his EU payments for 2013. A letter detailing this decision issued on 13 November 2013. The letter also informed him of his right to have the matter reviewed and his right to appeal the outcome of any such review to the independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date no such review has been requested.
Payments under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued on 17 October 2013 and an advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October 2013 in respect of the above herd number.
As these payments were made prior to the finalisation of the cross compliance penalty my Department will initiate a process to recoup any overpayment that has been made. A letter will issue shortly from the Accounts Department of the Single Payment Unit informing the person named of the overpayment and how it can be repaid.
While payments were made to the herdowner concerned under the FWM Scheme in 2010/11, there is nothing more due to him under that Scheme.
Finally the person concerned is not a participant in either AEOS or REPS 4.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (173)
Michael Ring
Ceist:173. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri-environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53444/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year has been successfully completed and 75% payment will issue shortly to the person named. I expect that the balancing 25% payment will follow shortly after.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (174)
Michael Ring
Ceist:174. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme and single farm payment scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53475/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme has recently been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (175)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the second part of the single farm payment was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the person has been informed of the reason for this non-payment; if they have had a chance to appeal this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53556/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The penalty applied in this case is as a result of a multi-annual sanction applied to a 2012 ground inspection as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. The outcome of the ground inspection was appealed by the person named to The Agriculture Appeals Office and the decision was to uphold the original inspection result. A letter detailing the multi-annual sanction will issue shortly to the person named.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (176)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:176. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payments made under each of the following schemes for 2012 and 2013, broken down on a county basis, rural environment protection scheme, agri-environment options scheme, disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53557/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. The material is being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (177)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:177. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons due payment in 2013 under the agri-environment options scheme and the REP schemes; the number paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53558/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are a total number of 29,240 persons eligible to be paid under the 2013 REPS4 Scheme. A total number of 14,113 persons have been paid their 2013 REPS4 to date. Payments are continuing on a daily basis.
There are currently 13,746 farmers active in AEOS 1 and 2. A total of 9,308 of these farmers have been paid in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. Payments are continuing on a daily basis.
As regards payments to the 5,991 AEOS 3 participants who are in the initial year of the scheme and are therefore subject to a detailed checking process, these will commence in the first quarter of 2014.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (178)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:178. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the latest date for accepting applications under the TAMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53559/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) form part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. I have, therefore, no plans to extend the current closing date and farmers must lodge an application with my Department on or before 31 December 2013 in order to be eligible for grant-aid under the TAMS. However, the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme has been extended to the end of February 2014 as a small number of farmers were unable to complete the investment works by the previous closing date of end of September 2013.
The determination of the farm sectors in which investment aid will be made available in the next rural development programme is currently under consideration within my Department.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (179)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:179. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who received penalties under the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 single farm payments scheme respectively; the number of these penalties that relate to the over-declaration of eligible land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53560/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Commonage Framework Plans
Ceisteanna (180)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to issue an official response to the document on commonages prepared by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; his view on the proposals made by the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53561/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate regarding the issues surrounding commonage lands, the views of the various stakeholders having being sought and considered by the Committee. As I have indicated previously, while it is generally accepted that this is a very complex matter and requires a very detailed action plan to cover the various issues, I intend in the near future to set out proposals on how these matters will be progressed. My firm intention is that the process will be fully inclusive and that all stakeholders, particularly farmers and their representatives will be central to the process. It is only by adopting this approach that the desired result can be achieved.
With regard to the specific recommendations of the Committee contained in their Report, I can confirm that these will be included among the range of issues to be addressed in the process that will shortly be commenced by my Department - it very clear that matters to be resolved are very wide ranging and complex; it is self-evident that the process required to adequately address these must be fully inclusive and focused. To this end, I am determined, as indicated, to convene a broad group of all relevant stakeholders, charged with comprehensively addressing the range of issues.
Commonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, particularly along the West Coast. They also form an important part of the local environment from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and economic returns e.g. tourism. However, there is a substantial risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem.
Under-grazing leads to an increase in ineligible land under Direct Aid and Agri-Environment Schemes and leads to risk of financial corrections being imposed by EU Commission. It is vital, therefore, to maintain the commonages in GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition), or where there is under-grazing, to return the habitat to GAEC. It is my stated aim that this will be achieved by working with the farmers directly managing the lands, relevant State agencies, the farming organisations and all other interested stakeholders. This matter will be further progressed when the Direct Payments Delegated Acts are adopted by the European Commission.