Written Answers Nos. 463-478
463. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2013 disadvantaged areas scheme and the single farm payment 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. [14824/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants' holdings were required to have satisfied minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. As the holding of the person named did not satisfy these minimum requirements, no payment is due to the person named under the 2013 Scheme.
The 2013 Single Payment Scheme was issued by my Department directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 13th December 2013.
464. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total of all payments made to farmers in County Mayo under the various schemes in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14887/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated by his Department in County Mayo, and the list of projects that benefitted in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14888/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
The total of all payments made to farmers in County Mayo under the various schemes from January 2011 to the end of February 2014 and the amount of funding provided for projects in County Mayo in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 can be found in the following tables. The amount of funding for projects in 2014 is not yet available.
|
County Mayo |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 (end Feb) |
|
Scheme Description |
Total Paid |
Total Paid |
Total Paid |
Total Paid |
|
Agri-Environment Options Scheme |
€1,516,606.57 |
€5,368,891.19 |
€3,728,641.35 |
€292,616.17 |
|
Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2 |
- |
€1,652,410.93 |
€3,656,252.35 |
€618,675.28 |
|
Area Based Compensatory Allowance Scheme |
€25,372,871.13 |
€21,666,810.02 |
€22,976,837.41 |
€791,628.35 |
|
Suckler Cow Animal Welfare Scheme |
€2,175,432.77 |
€1,893,698.91 |
€583,024.37 |
€1,246.00 |
|
BioEnergy Scheme |
€4,353.48 |
- |
€8,799.52 |
- |
|
Dairy Compensation Scheme |
€1,180.00 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Beef Technology Adoption Programme |
- |
€504,125.00 |
€642,825.00 |
€39,600.00 |
|
DeMinimis BVD scheme |
- |
€900.00 |
€900.00 |
- |
|
Dairy Efficiency Scheme |
€139,670.88 |
€127,504.69 |
€123,236.02 |
€1,755.00 |
|
Development Programme for Dairying |
- |
- |
€11,000.00 |
- |
|
Ewe & Goat Premium |
€1,878.63 |
€6,625.50 |
€886.86 |
- |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
- |
€1,098.75 |
- |
- |
|
Extensification Premium |
€16,612.00 |
€15,842.40 |
€7,114.00 |
- |
|
Compensation for Fallen Animals |
- |
- |
€110,140.86 |
- |
|
Forestry NDP Support Schemes Forest Owners |
€1,351,962.72 |
€812,147.05 |
€536,237.31 |
€27,792.47 |
|
Grassland Sheep Scheme |
€1,862,717.26 |
€3,696,146.86 |
€1,530,444.96 |
€105,055.54 |
|
Imported Fodder Transport Scheme 2013 |
- |
- |
€6,000.00 |
€180.50 |
|
Encourage Maintenance of Kerry Cattle Herd |
€380.90 |
- |
€198.54 |
- |
|
Housing/Handling for Alternative Enterprise |
€12,697.20 |
- |
- |
- |
|
NDP-Farm Improvement Scheme |
€101,438.78 |
€204,521.18 |
€33,348.14 |
|
|
NDP-Farm Waste Management |
€911,766.25 |
- |
- |
- |
|
NDP- Installation Aid Young Farmers New Round |
€15,000.00 |
€15,000.00 |
- |
- |
|
Premium for Suckler Cow |
€5,111.36 |
€25,424.92 |
€6,203.80 |
- |
|
RDP Afforestation Programme |
€4,821,273.56 |
€4,657,362.75 |
€4,715,195.16 |
€1,645,346.74 |
|
Agri -Environment Programme |
€20,339,881.36 |
€17,462,300.79 |
€10,022,684.07 |
€4,844,852.21 |
|
Special Beef Premium |
€2,052.60 |
€5,186.50 |
€984.00 |
- |
|
Scrapie Compensation |
€9,117.00 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Single Farm Payment |
€61,349,076.76 |
€59,546,512.00 |
€57,031,700.42 |
€1,271,034.51 |
|
Slaughter Premium |
€4,317.50 |
€15,997.51 |
€1,662.55 |
- |
|
TB Grants to Herdowners |
€229,175.80 |
€419,961.95 |
€355,502.15 |
€61,103.60 |
|
Euro Compensation - Ewe & Goat Premium |
€43.92 |
- |
€528.19 |
- |
|
Euro Compensation- Extensification Premium |
€88.58 |
€79.86 |
€389.46 |
- |
|
Euro Compensation - Suckler Cow Premium |
€34.84 |
- |
€1,027.88 |
€37.52 |
|
Agrimonetary Aid - Special Beef Premium |
€5.40 |
€10.80 |
€254.68 |
- |
|
Upland Sheep Scheme |
€548.44 |
€13,791.99 |
- |
- |
|
TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme |
- |
€59,186.80 |
€63,736.56 |
- |
|
TAMS Sheep Welfare Scheme |
- |
€31,408.15 |
€15,900.86 |
€2,141.09 |
|
TAMS Poultry Welfare Scheme |
- |
- |
€60,911.20 |
- |
|
Development Programme for Sheep |
- |
- |
€473,550.00 |
€12,375.00 |
|
Totals |
€120,246,944.10 |
€118,202,946.50 |
€106,706,645.34 |
€9,715,439.98 |
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Project Description |
Total Paid |
Total Paid |
Total Paid |
|
Animal Remedies Licence Refunds |
€33,500 |
€34,500 |
€46,400 |
|
Control of Horses - Payments to Local Authorities |
€79,932 |
€157,617 |
€92,479 |
|
Forestry NDP Support Schemes |
€11,234 |
- |
- |
|
Genetic Resource - Plant Health |
€11,900 |
- |
€4,800 |
|
Grants for Marketing & Processing |
€74,775 |
€195,433 |
- |
|
NDP-Development of the Horticulture Sector |
€65,600 |
€2,813 |
€562 |
|
NDP- Development of the Organic Sector |
€5,488 |
€618 |
€19,413 |
|
School Milk Scheme |
€16,449 |
€29,093 |
€15,059 |
|
Development and repair of Local Authority owned piers and slipways - Mayo County Council |
€138,750 |
€486,626 |
€411,549 |
|
Ex gratia Payments to Mayo Animal Welfare Groups |
€26,500 |
€32,500 |
€46,400 |
|
Totals |
€464,129 |
€939,200 |
€636,662 |
466. Deputy John O'Mahony 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; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14920/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st December 2010 and full payment has 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 75% payment in respect of the 2013 Scheme year has now been processed for payment. The balancing 25% payment will issue shortly.
467. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a forestry grant application will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14922/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayment of the outstanding monies has been arranged and the applicant can expect payment in the week beginning March 31st 2014.
468. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine pursuant to article 5(4) of SI 357 of the European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011, as amended, which requires issuing bodies to mark part II of section IX of the passport for equines identified outside the time limits as not intended for human consumption, if he will confirm the number of foals that were born in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, that were stamped or marked out in accordance with article 5(4) of SI 357 of 2011; if he will provide a breakdown of that number between the various issuing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14953/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraData extracted from my Department's equine database shows that number of equines born in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 that were subsequently stamped or marked out of the food chain is 4,199, 2,858 and 647 respectively. The specific reason for the exclusion of an animal from the food chain is not recorded on the database. A breakdown by Passport Issuing Organisation is contained in the following table.
Equines born 2011 – 2013 subsequently excluded from the Food Chain
|
Passport Issuing Organisation |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Connemara Pony Breeder's Society |
157 |
183 |
0 |
|
Horse Passport Agency |
167 |
148 |
50 |
|
Horse Sport Ireland |
2,690 |
1,470 |
231 |
|
Irish Appoloosa Society |
9 |
6 |
1 |
|
Irish Piebald & Skewbald Association (Trading as Leisure Horse Ireland) |
392 |
288 |
47 |
|
Kerry Bog Pony |
5 |
11 |
1 |
|
Warmblood Studbook of Ireland |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Weatherby's Ireland GSB Limited |
777 |
751 |
317 |
469. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the introduction of a tax exemption for farmers who have to sell entitlements of a value over €37,500 before 15 May 2014; if such a transaction will be subject to VAT at 23%; his views on the problems this will cause some farmers who may not be registered for VAT and, therefore, will be unable to claim back on the sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15026/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis issue arises where entire holdings have been leased out with entitlements for a period which includes 2013. In order to preserve the value of these entitlements for the new direct payment scheme, lessors need to transfer them permanently before 15 May 2014 to a person who is deemed to be an 'active farmer'.
Officials from my Department have had discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the particular tax implications of the transfer of leased-out entitlements. It has been confirmed that, in accordance with tax law, this will give rise to a tax liability. I have written to the Minister of Finance outlining the situation and asking him to consider whether there are any options in this regard.
470. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding rental increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15055/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns and operates, under Statute, six Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth. Properties located in the Fishery Harbour Centres are, when appropriate, offered for tenancy under lease by means of open competitive tendering process following public procurement guidelines.
My Department has been in correspondence on this matter. In 2003, the persons concerned were successful in such a public tendering process for a property in Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. The lease, signed voluntarily by the individuals in 2003, is a formal legally binding document on both parties, and the terms of the lease would have been made available prior to the tendering process.
As in other leasing arrangements, this lease sets out how future rents will be determined and in this case a rent review was to be conducted every five years. A rent review was scheduled and conducted for May 2008. The outcome of the review was disputed by the tenants and, as allowed for under the lease, a rent review dispute procedure, which is binding on both parties, was initiated. An independent expert agreed by both parties recommended a decrease in the original revised valuation. This rent as determined by the independent expert is the rent currently being charged for the property.
From an overall perspective, I am acutely aware of the economic situation facing businesses and small enterprises and following the completion of rent reviews due up to mid 2008 I decided that no rent reviews would be carried out for subsequent years and that zero rent increases would be applied across the board. This approach was applied in the case of the rent review that was due on this property in May, 2013.
472. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who did not qualify in 2012 and 2013 due to not having the minimum stocking rate in 2011 will qualify in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who did not qualify in 2012 and 2013 for the disadvantaged areas scheme due to doubling the stocking rate in 2011 will qualify in 2014 if they have the required stocking rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra474. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if donkeys will qualify as part of the stocking rate in 2014 for the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15120/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 to 474, inclusive, together.
Under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants' holdings are required to have met (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare), or have been granted derogation and (b) achieve a minimum stocking density in 2014 of 0.15 livestock units for a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the 2014 Scheme year.
Donkeys will continue to be eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation where the animals in question are appropriately registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding. The premises of all who meet this criteria must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in accordance with S.I. No. 8 of 2013, Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Registration of Horse Premises) Order 2013.
475. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their rural environment protection scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15183/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has received the full payment entitlement for his REPS4 contract for 2013 at this stage. A 75% payment in the amount of €5,366.78 was paid on the 5th December 2013 and the remaining 25% payment in the amount of €1,788.92 was paid on 19th December 2013.
476. Deputy John O'Mahony 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; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15186/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011 Scheme year.
During a 2012 inspection, the person named was found to have non-compliances in respect of the Traditional Hay Meadow, Laying of Hedgerows and Establishment and Maintenance of Habitats actions. An appeal was lodged on behalf of the person named by his planner and following a review of the file, the decision to apply a penalty in relation to the Laying of Hedgerows and Establishment and Maintenance of Habitats actions was upheld. The penalty in relation to the Traditional Hay Meadow action was withdrawn by my Department. The application is now being processed on this basis and I expect payment in respect of 2012, less penalties due, to issue shortly. Once payment for 2012 issues, the payment for 2013 will be processed as soon as possible.
477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give an assurance to farmers who leased out all their land and entitlements for this year that they will not face serious tax bills if they transfer their payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15356/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis issue arises where entire holdings have been leased out with entitlements for a period which includes 2013. In order to preserve the value of these entitlements for the new direct payment scheme, lessors need to transfer them permanently before 15 May 2014 to a person who is deemed to be an 'active farmer'.
Officials from my Department have had discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the particular tax implications of the transfer of leased-out entitlements. It has been confirmed that, in accordance with tax law, this will give rise to a tax liability. I have written to the Minister of Finance outlining the situation and asking him to consider whether there are any options in this regard.
478. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has been unable to receive a response from his Department regarding non-payment of their disadvantaged areas scheme payment for 2012; the reasons they have been unable to obtain an oral hearing in relation to their 2013 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants' holdings were required to have satisfied minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. As the holding of the person named did not satisfy these minimum requirements, no payment is due under the 2012 Scheme. The person named subsequently appealed to the Agriculture Appeals Office; that Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person named in relation to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The Agriculture Appeals Office has advised that they will shortly be in direct contact with the person named in relation to the oral hearing requested.
In relation to the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, payment issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 6 February 2014
