Written Answers Nos. 630-645
630. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 REP scheme 4 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55334/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the Land Parcel Identification (LPIS) Review an area discrepancy was identified. This issue is currently being investigated and the Department will notify the person named of the outcome.
631. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not received REPS 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55336/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in July 2010 and received payments for the first three years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the Land Parcel Identification (LPIS) Review an area discrepancy was identified. This issue is currently being investigated and the Department will notify the person named of the outcome.
632. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when forestry planting applications in SPAs will be processed and approved; if he considers the delays in this matter reasonable or fair; the action he has taken to expedite this matter with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55346/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe processing of applications for afforestation in areas designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) is ongoing and includes, as required under the regulations governing approval of such projects, consultations with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
It is not possible at present to approve afforestation projects located within Special Protection Areas designated for the protection of the hen harrier, a threatened bird of prey. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht have commenced the development of a Threat Response Plan (TRP) covering various land uses including agriculture, forestry and windfarms, for the conservation of the hen harrier. The Plan is expected to take approximately two years to complete. Forestry will form a significant component of the TRP, and my Department is liaising closely with the NPWS in the formulation of the Plan on aspects relating to afforestation, felling and replanting. It is also understood that the NPWS will engage in a formal public consultation process in relation to the Plan, which it will announce at the appropriate time.
My Department is aware that the development of the TRP will lead with the forestry component. Once this work is completed, this may create an opportunity for the issuing of afforestation approvals in hen harrier SPAs, prior to the completion of the overall Plan.
633. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently examine a significant cut in farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the way he will justify these cuts; if he will review this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55356/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection.
This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3 and 20%, in respect of the Single Farm Payment Scheme. Based on the Terms and Conditions of this scheme, this resulted in the 2013 payment being based on the found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed.
The person named was notified of this decision on the 10 October 2013. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. To date no request for a review has been received by my Department .
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months.
634. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a disadvantaged areas payment has not been paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the reason it was not in the original payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55406/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 20 December 2013.
635. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite a 2013 sheep grassland payment in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55411/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment in respect of the 2013 Grassland Sheep Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 17 December 2013.
636. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate and expedite a rural environment protection scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55426/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process has now been completed for payments for 2013 and the 75% Year 6 payment amounting to €7,779.71 issued for payment on 10 January 2014. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
637. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which agency staff have been used in his Department in each of the past five years to date for the purpose of answering and transferring calls on their switchdesk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55427/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a large telephone switchboard system at its headquarters in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Over the past five years, my Department has utilised the services of four personnel, who are supplied by an external telecommunications provider, to operate this primary telephone switchboard. The duties involve answering and transferring calls on the system and the hours of cover provided by the personnel, are from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
638. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine and expedite a rural environment protection scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55443/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2009 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process has now been completed for 2013 payments and the 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €5,662.35 issued for payment on 10 January 2014. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
639. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being taken by his Department to consult all stakeholders on a low-cost, all-Ireland microchip system for horses and dogs to promote the welfare of these animals. [55444/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the announcement of a national policy on dog microchipping, my Department held a public consultation on all relevant matters. Cost was an issue which was raised by a number of parties and my Department will make every effort to ensure that the policy is delivered in a cost effective manner. While some cheaper microchipping technology may be available on the market, their reliability, safety and efficiency is open to question. Accordingly, I propose that only microchips which meet the relevant ISO standards will be compliant with the scheme.
Owners and keepers of equine animals (including horses, ponies and donkeys) are required by EU Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 of 6 June 2008 to ensure that their animals are identified in accordance with the provisions of that legislation, which has been transposed into national legislation via S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended). This legislation provides that, with effect from 1st July 2009, all equine animals, in addition to being identified by means of a passport, must also be implanted with a corresponding micro-chip. All such micro-chips must be inserted by a veterinary practitioner and are required to comply with the standards specified in the legislation. The cost of the identification system, including microchipping, is a commercial matter between horse owners and the relevant Passport Issuing Body.
640. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a rural environment protection scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55460/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in March 2009 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process has now been completed for 2013 payments and the 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €2,204.09 issued for payment on 20 December 2013. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
641. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 11 December 2013 in which he stated he will not publish the Coillte forestry review, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Coillte is the largest forestry operator operating under the 1988 Forestry Act and is, therefore, fundamentally connected to the new Forestry Bill 2013; the way the new Forestry Bill 2013 will achieve sustainable forest management if older Acts such as the Forestry Act 1988, from which Coillte emanated, are not reviewed and reformed and since the principles of sustainable forest management stem from the Rio Earth Summit in 1992; and in the case that the 1988 Forestry Act predates this agreement, the reason it is primarily focused on the primacy of profit and timber production; the way it will be able to deliver the multiple benefits of sustainable forest management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55461/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Forestry Bill 2013 is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry in order to support the development of a modern forestry sector. The provisions of the Forestry Bill 2013, when enacted, will encompass, and apply to, the entire forestry industry, within which Coillte operates. As you will be aware, the purpose of the Forestry Act 1988 was to provide for the establishment and administration of Coillte. This new Forestry Bill, I believe, will enable forestry development in Ireland to be undertaken in line with the principles of Sustainable Forest Management by achieving an appropriate balance between facilitating the growth and sustainability of the industry whilst at the same time having regard to protection of the environment and maintenance of the social benefits and other public goods that forests provide.
642. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the new national forestry programme, Forest, Products and People, and the EU requirement for a strategic environmental assessment to be conducted on same, his views that the recent SEA which was completed by his Department on the recent forestry review report is complete; if the review of Coillte report is not made available when it was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55462/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn in-depth review of state forestry policy was undertaken on foot of a commitment in the previous Government’s Renewed Programme for Government . A Forest Policy Review Group, comprising of representatives of the forest and environment sectors, was formed in April 2010, to undertake this work. A separate review of Coillte was also undertaken. While significant work was undertaken by an interdepartmental group dealing exclusively with the role, functions and operations of Coillte, the deliberations were superseded by the Government Decisions in 2012 in relation to the sale of state assets which encompasses Coillte, and, as I have advised previously, it is not my intention to publish the outcome of that review.
In April 2012, following 15 meetings of the Forest Policy Review Group and having taken account of submissions received from a range of stakeholders, the output was an initial draft outline of the review of State forest policy entitled Forests, Products and People- Ireland’s Forest Policy- a renewed vision .
A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of the initial draft Forest Policy Review then commenced in early 2013. This process is now nearing completion. The SEA process has involved initial consultation with the designated statutory environmental authorities, full scoping consultation, preparation of a scoping report, preparation of a draft environmental report, further full consultation with the designated environmental authorities and the general public, consideration and evaluation of submissions received, amendments to the draft Forest Policy Review and also to the draft environmental report to take account of submissions received. The SEA process will conclude when the Forest Policy Review is formally adopted and this will be followed by the publication of an SEA statement.
I am satisfied that the steps outlined above, will, when complete, fulfil the requirements of the SEA Directive in the context of the strategic environmental assessment of Forests, Products and People- Ireland’s Forest Policy- a renewed vision .
643. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Coillte has not been in a position to supply the ESB with wooden poles for electrical cables, and the way it is justified that ESB has been importing approximately 40,000 wooden poles at the rate of €600 per pole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55463/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the products it provides, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has advised that it produced poles for ESB and telecommunication uses from the 1980's to the mid-1990's with counties Kilkenny, Waterford, Tipperary, Carlow and Wicklow being the primary producers due to the quality of Douglas Fir and Larch in those counties. Coillte advise that the main reason for exiting the market were the dwindling supplies of Douglas Fir and Larch. I understand that the company is currently re-evaluating their forest resource for suitable Douglas Fir and Larch pole material. Coillte advise that early indications are positive and contact has been made with ESB and Eircom regarding same and that it continues to work with ESB Networks and Eirgrid to supply as much as possible of their demand from native sources.
644. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for a reduction in single farm payment and headage payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [55485/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed that the eligible area of one land parcel was over-declared. The person named was advised accordingly and has availed of the right of review; this review is currently being undertaken. My Department will be in direct contact with the person named regarding the outcome of this review shortly. Should the applicant not be satisfied with the outcome of the review he will be advised of the option to appeal the decision to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeals Committee.
645. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal under capital investment works under the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55496/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2010 Scheme year.
Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to an administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment claims through checks on receipts. During these checks a number of issues were identified with the claim and the accompanying documentation which resulted in items being ineligible for reimbursement under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. The person named unsuccessfully appealed this decision to my Department. Then person named subsequently submitted an appeal to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office who upheld the Department’s decision. Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme is being finalised based on the outcome of the appeal and will issue shortly. Following payment for 2011, payments for 2012 and 2013 scheme years will be processed as soon as possible.
