Written Answers Nos. 92-102
92. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the level of qualification and expertise of his Department's inspectors, with regard to carrying out eligibility inspections on Natura designated commonages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulations governing the Direct Payments Schemes and other area-based schemes requires my Department to ensure that all eligibility requirements are complied with. The regulations require that a minimum of 5% of applicants must be inspected each year to ensure that the land declared for aid, including commonage type land, is eligible for payment.
My Department has a dedicated Inspection Unit to undertake these inspections. This unit interprets the governing EU regulations as they relate to inspection requirements and implements an inspection process to meet these requirements. The inspections are subject to repeated audits by the European Commission and European Court of Auditors which ensures an independent verification that inspections are conducted in full compliance with the legal requirements. The inspection process has been amended over the years to reflect changes in the governing regulations and also to reflect comments and findings contained in the various audit reports.
Inspecting officers in my Department are regularly trained in inspection procedures, with a process of continuous oversight by supervisors and random verification inspections to ensure a consistent approach. In addition, the Inspection Unit participates fully at various meetings and workshops organised by the European Commission on all inspection requirements, including land eligibility matters related to the Birds and Habitats Directives, where Commission experts and experts from other EU member states share their knowledge. In this way the Inspection Unit has and continues to build up extensive corporate knowledge on inspection requirements. This ensures that the EU regulatory requirements are being fully met and also that the training of the inspecting officers on inspection procedures is kept up-to-date.
93. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence regarding the valuation of entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will initiate a review of the valuation of entitlements. [18928/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of entitlements to be allocated to any one farmer under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 is based on the number of eligible hectares declared in 2013 or 2015, whichever is lesser. The value of those entitlements is based on the total value of entitlements owned by the farmer in 2014 plus the value of any payment received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme in that year. As with all farmers, a person’s direct payment in 2015 is no longer based solely on entitlements but is divided between the Basic Payment and Greening.
The person named declared 82.06 hectares of eligible land in 2013 and, if he declares the same or a greater amount of land in 2015, he will be allocated 82.06 entitlements.
In 2014, the person named submitted a Transfer of Entitlements application form and applied to sell 17.05 entitlements with a total value of €2,081.27 to another farmer. This application was successful and consequently the value of those entitlements will not be available to the person named for the purposes of calculating his new entitlement value in 2015.
In 2014, the unit value of the entitlements held by the person named was €118.93. The estimated initial value of his entitlements in 2015 will be €74.94. However, the number of entitlements allocated has increased from 76 to 82 and this unit value is exclusive of the greening payment which will be added as an additional payment and is calculated as a fixed percentage of the value of the Basic Payment Scheme entitlements.
In terms of payment arising from entitlements, in 2013 the person named received a total payment of €9,928. In 2014, having sold entitlements with a total value of over €2,000, he still received a total payment of €8,950. In 2015, his estimated total payment which is inclusive of the greening payment will be €9,457.10. Through the process of convergence, this payment will increase on an annual basis so that by 2019 the person named will receive approximately €12,084.45. This represents an increase of 21.7 % between his 2015 and 2019 payments.
94. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further details, as soon as possible, on the new European Union credit facility announced in March 2015, following the approval of Ireland's rural development programme, in order for struggling farmers to access vital funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18937/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent announcement by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank refers to planned and ongoing cooperation between those two bodies in relation to financial instruments programmed through co-funded Rural Development Programmes (RDP) and funded accordingly through RDP budgets. Financial instruments are defined in the relevant EU regulation as measures of financial support provided on a complementary basis from the budget in order to address one or more policy objectives of the EU. They may take the form of equity or quasi-equity investments, loans or guarantees, or other risk sharing instruments. In order for any such instruments to be put in place, an ex ante assessment must first be carried out. I have recently secured a letter of comfort in relation to Ireland’s RDP following an extensive design and negotiation process with the EU Commission, and the RDP commits to keeping the possible use of financial instruments under review during the programming period which runs to 2020.
In addition, my Department has been active in exploring new and more competitive sources of funding and will continue to do so in the context of evolving market requirements. The recent announcement by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland of a new product, ‘Agriculture Investment Loans’, is a welcome addition to the sources of funding currently in the market. This credit is available, subject to qualifying criteria, at favourable terms (i.e. longer term and lower interest rate) for investments by agricultural SMEs involved in primary agricultural production, the processing of agricultural products or the marketing of agricultural products.
In relation to accessing finance and credit terms generally, I have recently been in contact with the main banks. I emphasised that this is a critical phase in Ireland’s dairy expansion and that the increased investment and output from production and processing will have significant downstream benefits across the economy generally, including for the banking sector. In order to support the on-going development of the dairy sector and to mitigate the current difficulties caused by milk price volatility, I asked them to explore the full range of potential measures that could serve to alleviate the loan repayment burden facing farmers and offer maximum flexibility for dairy farmers in what will be a difficult year ahead. I believe that it is essential that short term cash flow difficulties are not allowed to undermine prudent investment plans or the longer term competitiveness of their operations. I will continue to communicate with the main banks on issues affecting the sector.
95. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar na hachainíocha a rinne sé chuig an Roinn dar dáta an 27 Feabhra 2015 ar son feirmeoir as Gaillimh (sonraí leis seo); céard í an ró-íocaíocht iomlán atá curtha in aghaidh an fheirmeora seo agus cén bhliain den scéim a bhaineann an ró-íocaíocht sin léi; cad é méid an phionóis atá i gceist leis an ró-íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18945/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFuarthas iarratas faoi na Scéimeanna Aoníocaíochta/na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste ón duine atá ainmnithe an 14 Márta 2013 agus eisíodh íocaíochtaí an 16 Deireadh Fómhair 2013 agus an 2 Nollaig 2013 faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta Feirme agus eisíodh íocaíocht an 20 Meán Fómhair 2013 faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste. Tugadh le fios in athbhreithniú a rinneadh ar na dáileachtaí talún a bhí dearbhaithe ag an duine ainmnithe faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta 2013 go raibh gnéithe neamhcháilithe sa dáileacht talún a dhearbhaigh an duine agus gur cuireadh an té atá ainmnithe ar an eolas maidir leis. I ndiaidh dom athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar chinneadh mo Roinne, a lorg an duine ainmnithe, ba léir go raibh gá d’oifigeach ón Roinn cuairt a thabhairt ar an bhfeirm chun an cás a dheimhniú i ndáiríre. Fuarthas amach san imscrúdú sin ar an talamh go raibh an scéal ní ba mheasa go deimhin ná an chéad mheasúnú a rinneadh agus laghdaíodh an limistéar tagartha foriomlán ó 2.86 heicteár go dtí 2.12 heicteár.
Deimhníodh leis an seiceáil sin go raibh an ródhearbhú limistéir in 2013 ag 44.34% i gcás na hAoníocaíochta Feirme agus Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste. Toisc go bhfuil 44.34% níos mó ná 20% den limistéar incháilithe nuabhunaithe maidir leis an dá Scéim, níl aon íocaíocht ag dul don duine ainmnithe faoi Scéimeanna na hAoníocaíochta agus na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2013. Fuair an duine ainmnithe íocaíocht de €224.02 faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta Feirme 2013 agus íocaíocht de €335.71 faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2013, agus ar an drochuair meastar gur ró-íocaíochtaí iad agus bainfear iad arís as íocaíochtaí a dhéanfaidh mo Roinn amach anseo.
Cuireadh an duine ainmnithe ar an eolas maidir le toradh an athbhreithnithe seo i litir dar dáta an 8 Iúil 2014 agus cuireadh in iúl di go bhfuil sé de cheart aici achomharc a dhéanamh chuig Coiste Achomhairc LPIS. Ní bhfuarthas aon achomharc go dtí seo.
Fuarthas iarratas faoi iarratas na hAoníocaíochta Feirme 2014 ón duine ainmnithe an 22 Aibreán 2014. Cuireadh torthaí na cigireachta a rinneadh chun an talamh a dheimhniú ar aghaidh go dtí 2014, agus dá bharr tá ródhearbhú limistéir 2014 de 22.89% i gceist i gcás na Scéimeanna Aoníocaíochta Feirme agus na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste araon. Toisc go bhfuil 22.89% níos mó ná 20% den limistéar incháilithe nuabhunaithe maidir leis an dá scéim, ar an drochuair, níl aon íocaíocht ag dul don duine ainmnithe faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta agus Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2014.
96. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of expenditure on out-sourcing by his Department; the number of out-sourcing contracts initiated by his Department; the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on out-sourcing and the reliance on out-sourcing by his Department in the years 2011 to 2014 and, in respect of the latter, for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18963/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide this information in the time available. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
97. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the dairy targeted agricultural modernisation scheme will be open for applications; the duration of the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dairy Equipment Scheme forms one part of a suite of new on-farm investment schemes which are being introduced under the TAMS II heading, as part of the new Rural Development Programme. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme is being launched today, and that the Terms and Conditions of the scheme will be available on my Department’s website from Monday the 18th of May. The Dairy Equipment Scheme will be the next one to be launched, and I will make an announcement on that shortly.
A tranche system for applications will be put in place for each scheme, with each tranche open for about three months. There will be successive tranches introduced for each scheme and farmers will have three years to complete the investment works concerned.
98. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the status of a 2013 application for a single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18986/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. On this basis, processing was finalised and the 2013 advance and balancing payments under the Single Payment Scheme issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 16 October and 2 December 2013 respectively. Following a review of my Department’s decision, sought by the person named, a small increase in the eligible area was found. This resulted in a supplementary 2013 payment being made to the person named on 19 December 2014.
An application under the 2014 Single Farm Payment application was received from the person named on 10 May 2014. Payment based on a reduced area issued to the person named on 2 February 2015. The person named requested a review of this decision. It is necessary to verify the position on the ground to allow the review requested by the person named be finalised. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible following the visit.
99. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he and his Department have made to avoid repayments by dairy farmers in respect of milk quota super levies; if he is aware of the hardship that levies are causing to dairy farmers, and the losses they represent for rural economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19002/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra100. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and his officials have fully explored all butter fat related possibilities to avoid repayments by dairy farmers in respect of milk quota super levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
The milk quota regime ended on March 31st. The abolition of milk quota presents a massive opportunity for the Irish dairy sector and one which we should look forward to with confidence. The fact that producers will face a super-levy bill in relation to the final year of the system is obviously unwelcome. However, the rules governing the imposition of a super levy were set by regulations agreed at EU level. It was not possible for me on a unilateral basis to adjust these super levy rules.
I have, on numerous occasions, proposed action at EU level to mitigate the impact of super levy, primarily through an adjustment to the butterfat coefficient, as this would not have required an amendment to existing regulations. Other options previously discussed included the front-loading of the remaining quota increases, a reduction in the super levy, or a type of EU flexi-milk arrangement which would have operated providing overall EU production was within quota. However, given the opposition of some Member States, it became clear as we approached the ending of the quota era in 2015 that there was no realistic prospect of any movement on the initiatives.
Nonetheless flexibility has been secured from the European Commission for farmers to pay the superlevy fine on a phased basis over 3 years and my Department is finalising the details of a scheme to give effect to this measure at national level. I will announce details of how to apply for this scheme in the very near future.
I have also been proactive in other areas in terms of ensuring the right balance of measures are in place to ensure that Irish dairy farmers can enter the new era with full confidence. On-going contact has been maintained with the Minister for Finance to ensure that existing and future taxation policy reflects the Government’s commitment to agriculture. Of interest to dairy farmers here will be the announcement in last October’s budget to provide for income averaging over five years when it comes to paying income tax bills. I have also ensured that priority has been given to measures for the dairy sector in the Rural Development Plan. In addition, I have impressed upon the Irish banks the need to show flexibility in their dealings with farmers experiencing temporary cash flow difficulties in 2015.
I am satisfied now that with this mix of measures, the worst impacts of the superlevy have been mitigated and that the dairy sector can look to the future with confidence.
101. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the opening date for the 2nd tranche of applications under the green low-carbon agri-environmental scheme; the closing date for receipt of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19055/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to say that a second tranche for the submission of GLAS applications will open in the autumn. As I have also extended the closing date for the completion of Commonage Management Plans under Tranche 1 to end-August, the opening of the second tranche will most likely be after that date. Farmers intending to apply under the second tranche should bear this in mind when declaring land parcels in their 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application, so as to place themselves in the best possible position to maximise their options under GLAS.
102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review some of the compliance conditions set down in the new beef data and genomics programme; the process for a family not to receive a claw-back, if the farmer passes away during the six years of the programme; the process for a widow not to receive a claw-back if the farmer passes away during the six years of the programme and there is no farming successor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19062/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) has been approved as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme. Its legal basis is Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. This Article provides for agri-environment and climate change measures and requires that commitments under this measure be undertaken for a minimum period of five years. The BDGP will run for 6 years.
The scheme is an innovative, technology driven scheme which aims to bring about accelerated genomic gain in the national suckler herd, with a particular focus on the maternal efficiency traits of these animals, such as the amount of milk they produce. These maternal traits should allow our beef herd to become more environmentally sustainable. Improving these maternal efficiency traits in the suckler herd is a win-win situation – it reduces GHG emissions and improves economic returns on each farm.
The scheme will place Ireland at the forefront of climate friendly agriculture and further the “Green” image of our beef production, which has served us well in high value markets around the world.
In common with other agri-environmental schemes, where a participant does not undertake all of the commitments for the full duration of the Programme, or withdraws from the Programme, then any payments already made will be recovered.
It is possible however that in certain “force majeure” circumstances, a participant may withdraw from the Programme without penalty. “Force majeure” circumstances specified in the regulations include the death of a beneficiary so, in that unfortunate event, provided all Terms and Conditions had been complied with up until the death of the beneficiary, there would be no clawback of monies already paid.
