Written Answers Nos. 110-117
110. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a late application under the basic payment scheme will be accepted from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41934/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo be eligible under the Basic Payment Scheme applicants must declare all eligible land on an application form. An official from my department has been in touch with the person concerned regarding the submission of an application. Upon receipt of an application form, the case will be examined, and any mitigating circumstances will be considered at that stage.
111. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the single payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41961/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo establish Basic Payment Scheme entitlements under the new CAP reform, the eligible land declared under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, the 2014 value of owned entitlements and the 2015 eligible hectares declared under the Basic Payment Scheme need to be taken into consideration. The person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. This application has been processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
112. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive farm payments; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41966/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint application to my Department on 2 May, 2015. This application has been fully processed and payments under both schemes will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
113. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why a person (details supplied) in County Limerick has been informed of not being entitled to the Scottish derogation grant in 2015, given that the person received the grant in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41968/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the Basic Payment Scheme was introduced in 2015 under the new CAP reform. Under EU Regulations governing the Scheme an applicant must have been actively farming in the Beef, Dairying, Sheep or Arable sectors on 15 May 2013 whereby s/he produced, reared or grew agricultural products including through harvesting, milking, breeding animals or keeping animals for farming purposes. The person named was deemed ineligible for this scheme as Department records indicated that there was no verifiable evidence of production on the 15 May 2013. The person named may appeal this decision to the Scottish Derogation Section by email scottishderogation@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to Scottish Derogation, Eircom Building, Old Knockmay Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois enclosing details of further evidence to support their case.
114. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [41973/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo establish Basic Payment Scheme entitlements under the new CAP reform, the eligible land declared under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, the 2014 value of owned entitlements and the 2015 eligible hectares declared under the Basic Payment Scheme need to be taken into consideration.
As the ownership of this herd number changed from the persons named to a farm partnership in 2014, it was necessary to transfer the 2013 allocation rights from the persons named into the account of the farm partnership. This process is currently under way and payment will issue shortly.
115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a timeline for the promised legislation which will allow the Minister of the day to appoint the control committee of Bord na gCon, a measure which has been widely called for, in order to increase transparency and independence in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41976/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commissioned Indecon International Consultants to conduct “A Review of Certain Matters Relating to Bord na gCon" in order to assess the suitability of the legal, governance and regulatory framework supporting the greyhound industry. Arising out of the resulting report, my Department is at present preparing the heads of a Bill to respond to some of the recommendations of Indecon, which will include changes regarding the independent Greyhound Racing Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee. It is difficult to be definitive about the date of finalisation of the heads, but my intention is to bring them before cabinet at the earliest opportunity, in accordance with procedures, to address these recommendations.
This legislation will represent another critically important step in implementing the Indecon Report and providing a platform for the development of a world class greyhound racing industry that can reach its full potential.
116. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 will commence; if farmers in dairying will be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41981/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new TAMS measure will make €395m available to Irish farmers for investing in on-farm infrastructure, facilities and equipment. All TAMS schemes have been opened and the applications received under the first tranches of both the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and the Dairy Equipment Scheme are now being processed. The first tranche for the Pig and Poultry Scheme closed on 30 October and for the Low Emission Slurry Spreading scheme on 20 November. The first tranches for the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme will be closing on 30 November. Interest in TAMS to date has exceeded expectations and clearly many Irish farmers are looking once again at the benefits of investing in their enterprises and expanding production. Under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme a total of 520 applications have been received, while over a thousand applications have been submitted for the Dairy Equipment Scheme.
All applications received are being examined and approvals will commence when all of the required checks have been undertaken. This is a complex process and as all applications for TAMS 2 must be made under a tranche-based approach, we are required to evaluate, rank and assess all applications received together. I am aware that a number of farmers with proposed investments in dairy equipment are keen to commence work as quickly as possible. My Department is working to process approvals as quickly as possible and to make payments at the earliest possible juncture.
117. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraints scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41988/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 13 May, 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
