Written Answers Nos. 160-166
160. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding whether his Department requires planning permission from the local authority for the demolition or construction of buildings at the Curragh Camp, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12412/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 86 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2000, made under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, developments consisting of the provision of barracks and other buildings, or other premises or installations (including airfields and naval yards), or other structures or facilities, used for the purpose of or in connection with the operation of the Defence Forces are exempted from the planning laws. Notwithstanding this exemption some buildings in the Curragh Camp have been identified as of historical or architectural significance. The preservation and maintenance of these buildings are reviewed as part of the Department’s annual maintenance and capital expenditure program and where new development and demolition works are being considered.
161. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the reports, reviews and studies commissioned by him or his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department since 9 March 2011; the date on which they were commissioned; the date on which they were completed; the date on which they were published; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12428/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has commissioned two external reports since 9 March 2011. On 19th April 2011, Mr. Frank Callanan, SC, was commissioned to carry out an independent review into matters relevant to the deaths of Corporal Fintan Heneghan, Private Mannix Armstrong and Private Thomas Walsh on 21st March 1989 while serving with the 64th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The report was completed in September 2011. The cost of this report was €51,660 including VAT.
Arising from one of the recommendations made in the Air Accident Investigation Unit’s report into the crash involving the Air Corps’ Pilatus PC9 aircraft at Cornamona, Co. Galway on 12 October 2009, the Air Corps reviewed the operation of its Safety Management System and accepted the suggestion made that it include an external source in the auditing process. Accordingly, Mr. Jacques Michaud was commissioned by the Air Corps in August 2013 to carry out a review of the Air Corps’ Safety Management System. The report entitled “Irish Air Corps Safety Management Review” was completed in November 2013 at a cost of €20,000.
162. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the agri-environment options scheme 2 to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12235/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2011 Scheme year. There were issues identified in relation to the Traditional Stonewall Maintenance and Laying of Hedgerows actions during an on-the-spot inspection. The application is currently being processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payment for 2012 will issue shortly. Payment for 2013 will follow as soon as possible thereafter.
163. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 12 December 2013, the current support to local authorities under the Control of Horses Act; and the financial support allocated to animal welfare organisations for 2014 to assist in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. [12255/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department devotes considerable resources to issues relating to the welfare of animals, including horses. In 2013, my Department paid €3.054m to Local Authorities to assist with their work under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 in managing stray, abandoned or unwanted horses.
My Department in an effort to ensure that scarce resources are managed in an efficient manner agreed a protocol in 2012 with local authorities. The protocol set out best practice in how local authorities apply the Control of Horses Act in their respective areas with a view to achieving greater uniformity, financial savings and efficiencies in implementation of the Act. The maximum contribution payable to local authorities from my Department per horse seized has been fixed at €450.00
In the event that full costs are not recoverable from persons/groups re-homing horses, the maximum contribution payable from my Department is €200 per horse and €125 for equines other than horses. In addition, all expenses and costs incurred by local authorities in respect of horses and equines that are being reclaimed are to be borne by the owner reclaiming the equine.
With regard to funding to animal welfare organisations in 2014, in December 2013, I announced funding of €1.8m to 136 organisations involved in animal care and welfare services throughout the country to support their activities in 2014. The level of funding being provided to these organisations has been increased for the third year in a row, reflecting the importance I attach to their work. I specifically increased funding to those organisations involved in horse welfare activities to ensure that they have sufficient resources to enable them cater for any difficulties arising in the area of horse welfare over the coming year. This increased funding should enable welfare bodies absorb some costs associated with re-homing horses.
164. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has not yet received their REP scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12270/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has applied to take-over the REPS Agri-environmental Plan of a deceased participant. The previous participants commenced REPS 4 in October 2009 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. A revised REPS Agri-environmental Plan was requested by my Department following an On-farm Inspection in November 2013. The revised plan has been received and is currently the subject of an examination by my Officials with the intention of bringing this issue to an early resolution.
165. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 REP scheme 4 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12272/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 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 accordingly is subject to EU Regulation which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. The administrative checks have now been completed in this case and the Year 5 payments are being finalised with a view to making payment at the earliest possible opportunity.
166. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 570 of 4 February 2014, when the requested data will be received from the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12277/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regret the delay in having the SFPA provide these figures. This was due to an oversight in my Department. I have asked the SPFA to provide the figures at the earliest opportunity.
