Written Answers Nos. 166-183
166. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the present status of aid to producer groups and the implementation of the knowledge transfer scheme for forestry owners, following previous meetings and correspondence from the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society and forestry producer groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAid for Producer Groups is provided for under sub chapter 2.7 of the European Union Guidelines for State Aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas for 2014 to 2020. Such aid is confined to the establishment of new Producer Groups and cannot be used to support those groups already established. On the other hand support for Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs) does offer potential for supporting existing groups. This matter is now under consideration by my Department.
167. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure for a person to take back possession of dogs seized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7425/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with Section 38(4) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, an officer, authorised under the Act may seize animals where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence is being or has been committed under the Act and may detain animals for use in evidence for proceedings for an offence under the Act.
Seized animals can be held pending determination of any legal proceedings. The Act provides for forfeiture of an animal on conviction of an offence and, if the Court fails to convict, the animal would have to be returned to its owner.
168. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding small sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7441/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupports for the sector include direct payments and a range of measures under the Rural Development Programme to support environmentally sustainable production, and also improve efficiency and profitability on farms to help to address this efficiency gap. These include the Basic Payments Scheme, which incorporated payments under the former Grassland Sheep Scheme, provided exclusively for the sheep sector.
In addition, a range of schemes under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 -2020 have been designed to support the sheep sector. Sheep farmers continue to be significant beneficiaries from the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC Scheme is worth €195 million annually to some 100,000 farmers and in excess of €1.3 billion over the lifetime of the RDP.
Funding has also been made available under the RDP for the Green Low Carbon Agri Environment Scheme (GLAS). Access to GLAS is on a tiered basis with those in Tier 1 receiving priority. Tier 1 participants are mainly those with Priority Environment Assets, which include Natura Land and Commonage. Many sheep farmers are commonage shareholders and will qualify for Tier 1 access. Some 38,000 farmers have been approved under the first two tranches of the Scheme.
Increased provision has also been made for improving efficiency and profitability in sheep production under Knowledge Transfer Groups under the RDP. Building on the successful Sheep Technology Adoption Programme, it is expected that the Sheep Knowledge Transfer Groups will commence shortly.
A range of capital supports for sheep farmers is also available under the TAMS II scheme, including: solid floor housing with or without penning, slatted floor housing, mobile sheep handling facilities, fixed sheep handling facilities, replacement of sheep slats in addition to many other capital investments available to all livestock enterprises such as manure pits, silage pits etc.
Additionally approval has been sought by DAFM from the European Commission to include sheep fencing as an eligible item of expenditure in the TAMS II.
My Department also funds the activities of Teagasc, Bord Bia and Sheep Ireland in the areas of research, advice, education, breed improvement and marketing and promotion.
In relation to a further direct payment per ewe, any coupled payment would require a redistribution of existing funds and would involve cuts in other farm payments from Pillar 1. Any nationally funded payment would have to be considered in the context of exchequer funding availability and also State aid. Any consideration of further funding for the sheep sector under the RDP could only be considered in the context of an overall review of the implementation of the RDP and would require a re-distribution of funds within the RDP.
The sheep sector is an important component of our agriculture sector and the third largest farming sector in Ireland with over 34,000 producers and 2015 proved to be another good year for the sheep sector. A combination of higher carcase weight (up 1.9%) and higher factory prices (up 1.5%) meant that output value of the sector increased by over 3%. Total sheepmeat exports increased by an estimated 5% to €230 million between 2014 and 2015. At farm level, prices reached highs not seen in five years and thankfully these strong prices have continued into this year.
Increasing consumer demand and market access is a key component in driving the growth in the sheep farming sector in addition to improving technical efficiencies at farm level. My Department continually works on securing new markets for all Irish agri-food products including sheep meat. In addition last year Commissioner Hogan set up the Sheepmeat Reflections Group at EU level to examine the sheep sector and the support it needs going forward in order to continue to make an important contribution to agricultural output. My Department is participating in this group and I expect the outcome of this exercise to be reflected in future deliberations on EU policy in the sheep sector.
169. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider granting a person (details supplied) in County Donegal the 2015 young farmers scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7462/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. To qualify as a ‘young farmer’, a person must be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time in his/her name or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the BPS application. According to records held by my department the person named commenced farming in 2001 which is outside the eligibility period for the measures applied for and as such this application was not successful. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
My Department has now received an appeal from the person named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal will be considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicant and a decision with regard to the outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing to the applicant as soon as possible.
170. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a decision from the agriculture appeals office regarding an application under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7463/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Tranche 2 of the GLAS Scheme was received in this case on the dedicated GLAS online system on the 8 December 2015.
The unprecedented level of applications to the Scheme has meant that for GLAS 2, priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, i.e. those who either manage key environmental assets like endangered birds, protected habitats or high-quality water courses, or who have committed to undertake particularly valuable environmental actions like growing feed-crops for wild birds, adopting low-impact tillage techniques or using low-emission slurry spreading methods.
The application for the person named was ranked as a Tier 3 application and it was therefore not selected into the scheme. A letter issued to the person named notifying him of this decision and giving him the option of appeal to GLAS section. An appeal was received from the person named and following review the original decision was upheld. The applicant has been informed of his right to appeal this further to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) but to date there is no record of an appeal having been made.
A third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) will open later this year and the person named and any applicant who was unsuccessful in the second tranche will have the opportunity now to re-examine their proposed farm-plan, in consultation with their adviser, and see how it might be improved to increase their chance of selection under GLAS 3 and to submit a new application for GLAS 3 when the scheme is opened.
171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 6 April 2016, if he will make available the study as referenced in the reply in which a chemical re-evaluation was carried out in 2015-16 indicating at least 85% of sediments near Smooth Point at the Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in County Donegal is suitable for disposal at sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to a project for a proposed pier extension at Smooth Point on the new pier at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, which will require the dredging of a quantity of silt, gravel and rock. As outlined in a previous answer to Parliamentary Question Number 290 of 6 April 2016, a chemical re-evaluation of the sediments was carried out in 2015 and early 2016, as part of the current development proposal. Results currently indicate that at least 85% is suitable for disposal at sea, subject to EPA approval.
My Department intends to submit a Dumping At Sea Application to the Environmental Protection Agency in the coming months. Any material that is determined to exceed the environmental standards set for sea disposal will not be dumped at sea. Other options are being considered should this arise, including disposal on land or other remediation measures. The issue of disposal of quantities of contaminated dredge spoil is a matter which is regularly encountered in marine dredging works. A variety of appropriate solutions exist to address such situations.
The chemical re-evaluation of the sediments is part of the comprehensive Site Investigation and Report on the area to be dredged and developed at Smooth Point. While the investigation is at an advanced stage the report on the investigation is not yet complete.
The report once complete, in addition to other earlier reports, will comprise the supporting documentation to accompany the Dumping at Sea (DAS) Licence application to the Environmental Protection Agency. In accordance with the DAS legislation, the application and all associated documentation will be made publicly available and open to inspection by all interested parties.
172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the regional breakdown of all members appointed by the Government or him to State boards, agencies and bodies in 2015 and to date in 2016 broken down by agency and by regions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7471/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a herd number transfer by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7506/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for the herd number from the person in the question has been approved by my Department and a letter of approval issued on 19 April 2016.
174. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the agri-environment options scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7508/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS contact on 1 November 2010 and has been paid for the 2010-2014 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 take place. As all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments under the scheme, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Officials are working through these files and payment will be made in all cases as soon as possible.
175. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the basic payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo [7525/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a 2015 Private Contract Clause application from the person named seeking the transfer of land and entitlements by sale as a Buyer. Under the Terms and Conditions governing the Transfer of Basic Payment Scheme Entitlements by way of Private Contract Clause, the Seller must meet the definition of an “active farmer” in 2015 and must submit a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application on which he/she declares at least one hectare of eligible land.
An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the seller, however, it would appear that this application was submitted outside the timeframe allowed and the land declared has already been declared by another applicant. This application is currently under review and the person named will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
176. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7551/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question carried out a number of investments under the Farm Safety Scheme in TAMS I including safety covers on external agitation points, replacement door, rewiring, yard lights and a head scoop. The claim for these items was received on the 2 September 2015 and payment issued on 2 October 2015. The payment is based on 40% of the proposed costings initially submitted by the applicant when applying for the scheme. There are no further payments due to the applicant in respect of this Scheme.
177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7575/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in question has applied for a concrete tank and animal housing in the first tranche of the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme of TAMS II. All applications received are examined, validated and then have to be ranked and selected. Approvals will commence when this process is complete and this is anticipated before the end of this month.
178. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details provided) in County Cork has received full payment under the single payment, disadvantaged area payment and grassland sheep schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7590/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 26 May 2015. There was no separate Grassland Sheep Scheme in 2015 as payments under this scheme have been integrated into the value of entitlements under the BPS. 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 2015 application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection was completed and the outcome resulted in no area-based reductions. Payment due under the Basis Payment Scheme issued on 21 December 2015 to the nominated bank account of the person named.
Under EU Regulation 21/2004, all flock owners/sheep keepers are obliged to count the sheep in their flock and on their holding. They are also legally obliged to return this number to my Department via the annual Sheep/Goat Census return. The 2014 census return, which is required for eligibility to schemes such as ANC in the 2015 scheme year, was due by the closing date of 30 January 2015. My Department’s records confirm that no 2014 Sheep Census has been received from the person named. Therefore, no payment is due under the ANC scheme.
The person named has been notified of this outcome in writing and advised of their right to seek a review of the decision within ninety days by the Agriculture Appeals Office.
179. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the single farm payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be immediately paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7608/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for allocation of entitlements under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the Basic Payment Scheme. Under EU Regulations governing the Basic Payment scheme, processing of applications involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted. These checks are now complete and the application has been finalised. Payment under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ category will issue in the coming days.
180. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to revive the sugar beet industry here; if his Department has been approached by any private firms which want to revive the sugar beet industry; and if his Department will assist attempts to re-establish this industry here. [7610/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to the last CAP reform negotiation I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol processing facility in the country. The figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, indicated that the overall capital costs involved could range from €250 million to €400 million, depending on what type of facility would be constructed.
I informed both groups that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility in Ireland, would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a business case which is sufficiently robust to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. I indicated at the time that it was my job to look for agreement at EU level to allow for the growing of sugar beet for the manufacture of sugar, at the earliest possible date.
In this connection, I secured agreement as part of the overall CAP reform package at the last EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, which I chaired in June 2013, to abolish all sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the current EU quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member States, wishing to re-establish a sugar industry. At the time, this agreement was welcomed by those parties who are interested in seeking to re-establish a sugar industry here. It is now up to those same entities to move the project forward and to garner sufficient commercial and financial support to turn their plans into a viable reality. I have met with the interested parties a number of times since 2011 to hear from them how the projects are developing.
181. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will confirm receipt of an application from a person (details supplied) in County Cork for entitlements from the national reserve as a qualified young farmer; if this application was received by registered post indicating postage date of 30 March 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7611/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for the 2015 Young Farmer Scheme which was received by my Department via standard post on 14 March 2016. The application was not successful as it was received after the Scheme's closing date of 29 May 2015. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
My Department has now received an appeal from the person named in relation to their Young Farmers’ Scheme application. This appeal will be considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicant and a decision with regard to the outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing to the applicant as soon as possible.
There is no record of an application in respect of the National Reserve having been submitted by Registered Post for the person named on the date specified. An Official from my Department will contact the person named directly to establish further information with regard to the issue of any application by Registered Post in 2015.
182. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why the young farmers' payment was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the income threshold that is used in such decisions; if pensions are reckonable in such calculations; if appeals are allowed; if issues surrounding pension income are detailed in the terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7667/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers’ Scheme with the second person named as the ‘young farmer’. The application to the National Reserve was not successful as the applicants were deemed to have exceeded the €40,000 income threshold. The application to the Young Farmers’ Scheme was not successful as the applicants held no activated entitlements in 2015, the basis upon which the Young Farmers ’ Scheme is paid. The applicants were notified of the decisions in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers’ Scheme applications in writing and were offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
My Department has now received an appeal from the persons named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal will be considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicants and a decision with regard to the outcome of the appeal will be notified in writing to the applicants as soon as possible.
The process of deciding objective criteria for the National Reserve is carried out in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies and advisory services. After consultation with this Committee it was decided that an off farm income limit of €40,000 would be applied to all applicants under the 2015 National Reserve. The corresponding off farm income limit under the previous National Reserve was €30,000. Applicants under the 2015 National Reserve also have the flexibility of choosing either the 2013 or 2014 tax year, whichever is more advantageous.
The Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve clearly state that for joint applicants under the National Reserve, such as in the case of the persons named, the gross off-farm income of all persons named on the herd number is taken into consideration. The Department of Social Protection ‘State Pension’, including Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension is excluded from the calculation to determine off-farm income. Retirement pensions resulting from other employment are reckonable as off-farm income under the 2015 National Reserve.
183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 29 September 2015, to provide a re-instatement grant to persons whose forestry was damaged in the storm in February 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7675/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproval to fund a reconstitution scheme for forests affected by the winter storms of 2013/2014 was sought by my Department from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. That Department has responded to this request and in doing so has sought further information on the impacts of such a scheme on the insurance market for forestry and also on other issues of concern. My Department is currently examining these requests.
