Written Answers Nos. 42-46
42. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a contract in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39368/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person named is currently listed on a panel of service providers for the collection and delivery of reactors and other animals from farms in the area concerned. Service providers are placed on this panel on the basis of an open public procurement competition which provided for the provision of the service in all regions of the country. Under the tender process, it was open to a contractor from outside a specific regional area to tender to provide the service in that area. A contract for the transport of a particular consignment of animals is awarded to the most cost effective contractor available from the panel to the Regional Veterinary Office. Priority is given to the most economical and appropriate means of transport for the number of animals involved at the particular time as determined by the Regional Veterinary Office. The person has been awarded haulage contracts in the area on this basis reflecting the category of transportation he can provide.
I might add that my Department cannot guarantee or quantify the volume of business that it will offer to successful contractors.
43. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine companies which imported beef into Ireland in 2014; when the imports took place and the amount each company imported. [39386/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture records details of companies that request licences for the import of beef from outside the European Union. Meat products imported from outside the EU must come from plants approved under the European Union veterinary inspection regime and have equivalent standards as that within the EU. Meat products entering the EU from a third country are subject to documentary, identity and (if considered necessary) physical checks to ensure compliance with the requirements. The Revenue Commissioners record details of companies that import beef into the country where the imports from that company exceed a threshold value of €191,000 per calendar year. This information is collected on behalf of the CSO for statistical purposes only
Details of when imports took place, and the amount of beef imported per company, is commercially sensitive information which I am not in a position to release.
44. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if performance-related pay has been paid to any of his staff or staff in his Department for the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if so, the number of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39388/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo performance related pay has been paid to staff in my Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014.
45. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a disadvantaged area payment. [39410/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 24 March 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the milk quota situation and super-levy difficulties; if it is likely that the EU will remain significantly under quota in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39413/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMilk production in Ireland was 0.65% over quota in the 2013/2014 milk quota year and as a consequence a super levy fine of €10.0m was incurred. The due amount, having been collected from the milk producers who contributed to the oversupply, will be paid to the EU Commission, in accordance with the procedures set out in the EU Regulations, before end November 2014. All indications are that Ireland will again incur a super levy fine in the current and final milk quota year. Based on data received from the milk purchasers, the estimated position at the end of September is that Ireland is 6.93% above the apportioned quota for this time of the year. This is an increase on the end of August figure of 6.44% and significantly above the 0.42% over quota position of this time last year.
It remains critically important that individual milk producers continue to manage their enterprises, having regard to the quota situation, until the expiry of the milk quota regime next March. Milk producers who are in an over-quota position should consult with their dairy advisors and examine ways in which any potential super levy bill can be mitigated.
The most recent available information on the EU’s Milk Market observations indicates that EU Milk deliveries for the period of January to July 2014 are 5.8% higher than those for the same period in 2013.
