Written Answers Nos. 92-99
92. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the next steps for Ireland with regard to this partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15033/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP negotiations started with the US in 2013, eight negotiating rounds have taken place, the most recent during the week 2-6 February 2015 in Brussels. The 9th round is scheduled to take place in Washington from 20th-24th April 2015. It is hoped that there will be substantial progress in the TTIP negotiations in 2015.
According to assessments made by the EU Commission and other European bodies, a comprehensive TTIP could over time boost EU GDP by 0.5% per annum bringing significant economic gains as a whole for the EU. This converts into 400,000 jobs across the EU.
A study commissioned by my Department estimates that the benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1% and increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export-related jobs. It also suggests that Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be particular beneficiaries.
Ireland’s interests in these negotiations will be guided by the indications from the study. Our priorities include advancing in regulatory cooperation and common rules which aim to make trade and investment easier especially for SMEs, and protecting our interests in any sensitive areas, including beef.
Ireland supports the Commission in these negotiations which aim to achieve an ambitious and comprehensive agreement contributing to growth and jobs in Ireland and the EU. We will seek to maximise any potential benefits for our economy and our citizens throughout the negotiation period.
93. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of electricity linesmen granted a work permit in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that my Department has not granted any work permits in respect of the occupation named by the Deputy in the past twelve months.
94. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in processing an application under the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14973/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) which included a non-productive capital investment element.
A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS , was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then commenced and my Department wrote to each of the applicants who have had their payment deferred on 28 January to explain the situation.
The matter has now been referred to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and decisions on individual cases cannot be made until the investigation is progressed further.
95. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position in relation to the grant aid in the new targeted agricultural modernisation scheme; when approval from the European Union Commission is likely to be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14986/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014. The following investments have been identified as priority areas which will be targeted in the TAMS scheme:
(i) dairy equipment,
(ii) a young farmer capital investment scheme.
(iii) low emission spreading equipment,
(iv) organic capital investment,
(v) animal welfare and farm safety (specifically beef and sheep handling facilities) farm nutrient storage and animal housing, and
(vi) pig and poultry investments in energy, water meters and medicine dispensers .
The new schemes can only be opened when EU Commission approval for the Programme has been received. That process is well underway but it is not possible at this stage to fix definitive dates for their introduction.
96. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the forestry premium in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway was decreased this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14992/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetween 2010 and 2014 payments on this contract were made on 9.57 hectares. As part of the Second Instalment grant process, which was completed on this contract in 2014, a full check of the file was carried out by the Department. The boundaries of the plantation were checked against the visible ground features, resulting in small adjustments and a reduction in area to 9.45 hectares.
The second grant payment letter dated November 2014 and the 2015 premium claim form (Form 4), which were both sent to the applicant, subsequently specified the area as 9.45 hectares. As the reduction in area was within the tolerance allowed, no debt was raised. All future payments will be made on 9.45 hectares.
97. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the rural environment protection scheme for the year 2011 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [15010/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in August 2009 and received payments for the entire duration of their contract which was terminated on the 31st December 2014. Following an on-farm inspection in 2011 areas of non-compliance under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were discovered which resulted in the application of penalties amounting to 50% and 19% respectively. Following an appeal to the Local Office Inspectorate these penalties have been reduced to 25% and 9% respectively and the resulting payment due will now issue to the person named at the earliest possible opportunity.
98. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 2014 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15016/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from the 1st September 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The application was selected for a ground inspection which identified non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme in relation to the Tree Planting Standard and Planting of New Hedgerow actions, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named unsuccessfully appealed this finding to my Department. The file will now be processed on the basis of the inspection findings with the intention of issuing payment in respect of 2014, minus the penalty, as soon as possible.
99. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer who did not receive a single payment but did receive the sheep grassland scheme that has now been converted into single payment will be excluded from the Scottish derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15045/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAny farmer who was eligible to receive a direct payment in excess of €100 under the 2013 scheme year holds an automatic right to receive entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. A direct payment is defined as any payment received under the Single Payment Scheme, the Grassland Sheep Scheme, the Burren Conservation Scheme or the Beef Data Programme.
It is presumed that the farmer in question did receive a payment in excess of €100 under the Grassland Sheep Scheme in 2013 and consequently holds an automatic right to receive entitlements in 2015 under the Basic Payment Scheme. In addition, presuming that the farmer received a Grassland Sheep payment in 2014, the value of the 2014 payment will carry forward and will form the basis of the calculation of the value of his new entitlements.
Persons who never held entitlements under the Single Payment but who actively farmed in 2013 in either the beef, dairy, sheep or arable sectors are eligible to receive an allocation of entitlements under the provision known as the Scottish Derogation, however this provision is not required for the situation outlined above as the right to receive entitlements is automatically conferred through participation in the Grassland Sheep Scheme.
If this person requires more detailed information on the individual case or any aspect of the Basic Payment Scheme and related applications they should contact CAP Information Centre at 0761 064438 or by email at CAPdirectpayments@agriculture.gov.ie.
