Tuesday, 17 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 1416-1434

GLAS Eligibility

Ceisteanna (1416)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1416. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issues in relation to accepting a person (details supplied) into GLAS 2 related to internal problems with his Department's computer system; the reason his Department could not resolve these difficulties; if his Department accepts that the person should not be at a cashflow disadvantage in relation to 2016 payments due to these difficulties; if a request for a review has been received from the person; when a decision will be made on this request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was unable to submit an application for the second tranche of GLAS due to an issue with the designation of a parcel as a natura parcel. My Department has made every effort to resolve the issues with this GLAS 2 application but to no avail.

The person named was notified of this in writing on the 15 November 2016 and advised to submit an application under Tranche 3 of GLAS to ensure receipt of payment for five years for the period of 2017-2021. This letter stated that a GLAS 3 application could be made without prejudice to any expectation that the person may have in respect of GLAS 2 and the 2016 scheme year payment.

An review of this decision was received from the person named and it is currently being considered. The person named will be notified in writing of the outcome of this review once a decision has been made.

A GLAS 3 application has been received on the GLAS online system and it is currently being assessed. A letter will issue to the person named notifying them of the outcome once the assessment is complete.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (1417)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1417. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline all funding announcements made by him or by his Department for projects in County Mayo since January 2015, in tabular form; the details of each project; the status of the project at 31 December 2016; the amount of funding drawn down at 31 December 2016; and the reason for the delay in the project or funding draw down. [1052/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.

Projects in County Mayo from 1 January 2015-31 December 2016

2015 FISHERY HARBOUR AND COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Project Details	Status of Project at 31 December 2016	Amount of funding drawn down by 31 December 2016 - €	Reason for delay in project or in funding drawn down
Ballyglass (new crane and ancillary facilities	Partially Completed	44,836	Crane was not delivered or installed before 31/12/2015
Oldhead (structural repairs to existing Pier)	Completed	1,745	N/A
Blacksod Harbour (Repairs to Slipway & gangway)	Completed	60,000	N/A
Ballina Harbour (Resurface section of harbour deck/safety works)	Completed	60,000	N/A
Killala Harbour (Upgrade Harbour lighting. Safety works to concrete steps & ladders	Completed	22,500	N/A
Ballyglass (Repairs to fendering, piles & steelwork)	Project did not progress	Nil	N/A
2016 FISHERY HARBOUR AND COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME			2016 FISHERY HARBOUR AND COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Kilcummin (Underpin section of slipway and harbour area)	Completed	90,000	N/A
Killerduff (Repairs to paved access area adjoining pier)	Completed	15,000	N/A
Mulranny (Pier repairs)	Completed	56,250	N/A
Ballyglass (Repairs to Fenders, piles and steelwork	Completed	112,500	N/A
Killala Harbour (Masonary repairs to old pier/safety works)	Completed	112,500	N/A
Blacksod (Install girders/fenders for steps on existing pier)	Completed	37,500	N/A
Inishturk Island (Reconfigure steps & carry out improvement to deck)	Completed	89,297	N/A
Cloughmore (Pier repairs)	Completed	44,268	N/A
Leckanvy (Provide demountable LED lighting on pier)	Completed	15,000	N/A
Ballina Harbour (Install floating pontoon to facilitate 150 established moorings)	Completed	112,500	N/A
FOREST NEIGHBOURWOOD SCHEME			FOREST NEIGHBOURWOOD SCHEME
Neighbourwood Scheme (Balla Town Park Ltd)	Completed	82,666	N/A
BORD IASCAIGH MHARA PROJECTS CO-FUNDED BY EMFF			BORD IASCAIGH MHARA PROJECTS CO-FUNDED BY EMFF
Northwest Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG). €1.5m Funding under EMFF Operational Programme for period 2017 - 2021	FLAG to invite first applications for grants in February 2017	N/A	No delay. FLAG establishment approved under EMFF in November 2016.
Sofi Shellfish Ltd. Investment to upgrade oyster production farm	Completed	47,882	N/A
Individual aquaculture farmer. Investment to upgrade rope mussel production system to New Zealand continuous longline system	Completed	12,112	N/A
Clew Bay Oyster Coop. Development of novel aquaculture techniques for Ostrea edulis from spat production through to market	Delayed	Nil	Not all of the necessary documentation has been submitted.
Connemara Seafoods Ltd. Organic certification of oysters	Cancelled	Nil	N/A
Connemara Seafoods Frozen Ltd. Investment in value adding seafood processing equipment	Completed	20,016	N/A
Carr & Sons Seafood Ltd. Investment in value adding seafood processing equipment	Completed	66,022	N/A
Western Collective. Development of new seafood markets in Asia	Ongoing	37,216	N/A
BORD IASCAIGH MHARA PROJECTS CO-FUNDED BY EFF			BORD IASCAIGH MHARA PROJECTS CO-FUNDED BY EFF
Connemara Seafoods Frozen Ltd. Investment in value adding seafood processing equipment and processing capacity	Completed	17,699	N/A
CEDRA FUND – SUPPORT FOR LOCAL MARKETS 2015			CEDRA FUND – SUPPORT FOR LOCAL MARKETS 2015
Ballina Farmers Market (equipment)	Completed	5,250	N/A
Mulranny Community shop/market (equipment, advertising)	Completed	4,083	N/A
Belmullet market (equipment, advertising)	Completed	3,400	N/A
ANIMAL WELFARE GRANTS (RUNNING COSTS)			ANIMAL WELFARE GRANTS (RUNNING COSTS)
Ainmhithe Animal Rescue, Thornberry Cottage & Sanctuary, Rathreagh, Kincon, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Completed	19,000	N/A
Mayo Animal Welfare Honey Cottage Buckfield Kilmeena Westport Co. Mayo	Completed	10,000	N/A
The Mayo Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Pattenspark, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo	Completed	1,000 (2016 only)	N/A
North Mayo Horse Sanctuary Killala Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Completed	6,000	N/A
North West SPCA Ltd, Carrowreagh, Killala, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Completed	62,000	N/A

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1418)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1418. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016. 

The first payment due to the person named is in respect of the 2016 scheme year. During the 2016 prepayment checking process, issues were identified with the commonage action on the application. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.

Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (1419)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1419. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal on a decision on a farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1072/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. The Terms and Conditions governing the operation of these schemes state that in order 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. The applications were not successful as the applicant was not the registered owner of the herd number at the time of the application. The applicant was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.

My Department subsequently received an appeal from the person named in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme applications. This appeal was considered based on the information set out by the applicant and the original decision was upheld. The person named was notified of the outcome of the appeal and offered the opportunity to submit a further appeal to the Basic Payment Scheme Appeals Committee in respect of the National Reserve application and to the Agriculture Appeals Office in respect of the Young Farmers Scheme application. The person named has submitted these further appeals. The Agricultural Appeals Office has recently finalised arrangements to manage such appeals and the person named has been notified in writing of this development. The Agricultural Appeals Office will be in contact with the person named shortly.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Ceisteanna (1420)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

1420. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the island rate of areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme payment is not paid to farmers farming islands on inland lakes in view of the extra cost involved in farming such land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1086/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme replaced the previous Less Favoured Areas Scheme in Ireland's Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020. One of the provisions in the Rural Development Regulation relating to the new ANC Scheme is that it is open to Member States to make certain areas eligible for payment under the Scheme if they are affected by a specific constraint and if it is necessary for land management to be continued in order to conserve or improve the environment, to maintain the countryside, to preserve the tourist potential of the area, or to protect the coastline. Such areas are referred to as "areas of specific constraint", and the RDP set out the case for the inclusion of the off shore islands in the scheme on the basis of links to all these requirements.

Separately, a review of designation of eligible areas under the ANC scheme is underway. This review is required by regulation to be in place for payment in 2018.

Departmental Records

Ceisteanna (1421)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

1421. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost per year for the past three years for the storage and archiving of his Department's files and records at off-site locations by third party companies and at State-owned storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1119/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The cost of renting storage facilities for the storage and archiving of department files and records is generally a matter for the  Office of Public  Works. However, as a result of a local office reorganisation programme  in my Department, which resulted in the  the closure of a number of offices, there was a requirement for  additional offsite  storage.

The amounts outlined below are the costs incurred by my Department for record management from 2014-2016. A significant proportion of the storage costs relate to the retention of files and records associated with the closure of a number of local offices and the consequential redeployment of staff. Some of this work extended into 2016.

Year	2014	2015	2016
	€0.410m	€0.431m	€0.516 m

Young Farmers Scheme

Ceisteanna (1422)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

1422. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports or entitlements available to young farmers that meet the eligibility criteria under the young farmers scheme but hold no active entitlements; his plans to support these young farmers or new entrants; if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1132/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the EU Regulations governing the operation of the Young Farmers Scheme, payment under the scheme is calculated based on the number of eligible entitlements activated by the successful applicant. The person named submitted a 2016 Young Farmers Scheme application but was not successful as he did not hold any entitlements.

The National Reserve provides for an allocation of entitlements to eligible applicants under the two mandatory categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’. In 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million. Some 6,000 applicants were allocated entitlements under the 2015 National Reserve.

There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding had been utilised under the 2015 scheme. In order to provide for a National Reserve in 2017 funding is required to replenish the Reserve. EU Regulations governing the scheme provide that funding for the replenishment of the National Reserve may be obtained by means of surrender of entitlements that remain unused by farmers for two consecutive years and by clawback derived following the sale of entitlements without land. It is envisaged that funding derived from these two sources in 2017 will be very limited. The Regulations also provide the option for Member States to apply a linear cut to the value of all farmers’ entitlements to fund the National Reserve. Consultation between Department officials and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, agricultural education and farm advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve. Consultation regarding the 2017 National Reserve is due to take place in the coming weeks. Decisions in relation to the National Reserve for 2017 will be considered once the position on potential funding has been established.

The applicant in question may also be entitled to apply under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II provided that he meets the eligibility criteria as follows:

(i) are more than 18 years and not more than 40 years of age at the date of submitting the application form;

(ii) meet the requirements of set-up for the first time within five years of the date of receipt of an application under this Scheme;

(iii) own or have leasehold title to the site on which it is proposed to carry out the development (subject to (v));

(iv) have a minimum of 5 hectares owned and/or leased or rented which have been declared under the Basic Payment Scheme or equivalent in the year of application or preceding year  or in the case of intensive enterprises, generate a minimum of 20 production units from farming.

(v) fulfill the requirement regarding occupational skill and competence as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the terms and conditions of the scheme,on the date of application or within 36 months from the date of issue of Department approval to the applicant to commence works.

(vi) in the case of a Young Farmer farming with others, a declaration is required that the Young Farmer exercises effective and long term control over the partnership or legal person in terms of decisions related to management, benefits and financial risks either solely or jointly together with other members of the partnership.

The terms and conditions for all TAMS schemes are available online at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/tams. TAMS II Applications must be submitted online through www.agfood.ie.

GLAS Applications

Ceisteanna (1423)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1423. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for GLAS payments by persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1145/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

GLAS is a voluntary scheme which is open to all farmers who meet with specific eligibility criteria as set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions. One of the eligibility requirements is for participants to be the holder of an active herd number with Herd Owner status.

Unfortunately in this case, the persons named do not possess Herd Owner status, therefore a GLAS application could not be submitted. Although I sympathise with the situation of the persons named, I regret that the request to allow a late GLAS application is not permissible.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (1424)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

1424. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason forestry targets of 20,000 ha per annum and more recently of 15,000 ha per annum, as outlined in reports (details supplied), set by his Department have been reduced to an average of 7,333 ha per annum under the new forestry programme 2015 to 2020. [1188/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The targets set out under the current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 reflect the planting levels that can be achieved within the budget set by Government. At the time that the Programme was agreed, the budget was not available to plant 15,000ha; in any event it was unlikely that this level of planting could be achieved even if the budget did exist. The reason why this is the case is because the scheme itself is demand driven and voluntary so landowners must want to plant in the first instance. While this programme’s targets may seem modest when compared to previous targets, all applicants who want to plant and who qualify for financial support under the afforestation scheme are approved. In 2015 the targets set were exceeded by almost 300ha, in 2016 preliminary figures show that the Department fell short of its target by roughly 160ha.

Total afforestation in 2012 was 6,652ha, in 2013 it was 6,252ha, in 2014 it was 6,156ha, in 2015 it was 6,293ha and in 2016 preliminary figures show that 6,500ha were planted. Targets to 2020 are set out in the forestry programme 2014 -2020 and further targets will be included in the following 7 year programme. It is difficult to see 20,000ha or even 15,000ha being achieved during this programme period given the planting levels currently being achieved. As mentioned earlier landowners must want to plant and many do not see forestry as an option for their current farming enterprise. In relation to long-term forestry planning periods in the context of afforestation this will continue to mirror the EU CAP programme period which typically covers 7 years.

On the research side, the aim of the Department’s forest research (CoFoRD) Programme is to develop a scientific foundation and support for a sustainable, competitive, market-orientated and innovative forest industry through support for research projects. The Forest Research Ireland Report (FORI) drawn up by the COFORD Council and which informs the forestry aspects of my Department’s research calls, identifies the importance of a long-term approach to aspects of forest research, because of the long-term nature of forestry. As regards ring-fencing funding for forestry research separately from agriculture, it should be noted that the forestry research programme is managed as a separate budget line, kept under review and maintained at a level of approx. €2 million annually. In addition, my Department provides Grant-in-aid funding to Teagasc, whose research remit includes forest research.

A new forestry promotion campaign is underway within my Department which aims to highlight the benefits of forestry amongst farmers and non-farmers alike. A midterm review also begins early this year that will compare progress made against the original targets set. In this context schemes may be improved or restructured to make them more attractive to potential applicants.

I would like to make it clear that my Department is committed to its goal of increasing forest cover to 18%. This might take longer than previously estimated; however we will continue to encourage land owners to plant in order to reach our programme targets and to make the necessary funding available.

Ash Dieback Threat

Ceisteanna (1425)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

1425. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the continued removal of chalara-infected ash trees in view of the fact that the disease has been found in all 26 counties; his views on whether the current removal of young ash trees is curbing the spread of the disease; his further views on whether the continued expenditure of taxpayers' money is justified in view of the widespread nature of the disease; and his plans for the forest service to switch to advising forest owners on longer term solutions to this problem (details supplied) rather than the complete removal of their ash trees in the interests of forest sustainability and making the best use of taxpayers' money. [1189/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy has noted there was a very significant increase in the incidence of Ash Dieback disease or Chalara in 2016, most notably in forest plantations. By autumn 2016 there were also a significant number of additional findings along motorway and roadside plantings and in the wild on hedgerows, as well as a smaller number of new cases recorded in private gardens and in farm landscape plantings. Furthermore, there is an increasing diversity in the types of sites where the disease has been identified, with over half the recent findings in forest plantations in ash trees of native Irish origin. A detailed breakdown of these figures as well as a national distribution map of findings is accessible on the dedicated section of the Department’s website. Taken together these findings do indicate a continual widening distribution of the disease and that the disease is present, to a greater or lesser extent, in all 26 counties.

In view of the increasing prevalence of the disease and further to feedback from affected forest owners and other forest sector stakeholders on aspects of the Department’s Reconstitution Scheme, Department officials are currently in the process of updating the policies and procedures around it. One area where there will be an increased focus going forward is on encouraging forest owners with older plantations with bigger trees to avail of the Woodland Improvement Scheme to finance a thinning operation to assist in bringing the plantation to a merchantable stage. The requirements around sanitation action plans and for the complete destruction of both affected and unaffected ash trees which currently operate under the Scheme are also being re-considered. A consultation document on proposed changes to the Scheme was circulated to a focus group of forestry stakeholder representatives in December and the technical submissions received are now being assessed by my officials.

The Department is also actively supporting a number of research projects into the control and management of the disease, in particular projects with a key long-term focus of developing an ash tree breeding programme to identify trees that show strong tolerance and/or resistance to the disease and the genetic basis for tolerance. It is through such programmes that a long term strategy for ash can be identified and supported. More details of the research actions the Department has participated in and/or is supporting financially (either wholly or in part) can be accessed on the dedicated section of its website.

I am firmly of the view that for us to tackle this disease as effectively as possible, especially if we wish to mitigate the most adverse impacts on individual forest owners and the national forest estate more generally, the current Reconstitution Scheme operated by my Department and other complementary schemes such as the Woodland Improvement Scheme need to be both maintained and promoted. The continued expenditure of tax payers' money to these ends, where properly targeted and duly accounted for by the beneficiaries, in my view is justified and clearly is in the  interest of environmental sustainability, in particular the maintenance of our area of national forest cover, as well as helping to ensure that the fullest economic and social benefits accrue to Irish society through the productive management of our forests.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (1426)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

1426. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent Civil Service workers in gross income ranges (details supplied) in his Department for each of the years 2007 to 2015. [1218/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of full-time equivalent civil service workers in gross salary ranges in my department for each of the years 2007-2015 is a follows: 

Year	0-30,000	30,000-40,000	40,000-50,000	50000-60,000	60,000-70,000	70,000-80,000	80,000-90,000	90,000-100,000	100,000-125,000	125,000-150,000	Over 150,000
2007	839.88	1067.64	1086.46	528.40	191.40	127.40	139.00	234.00	71.00	11.00	3.00
2008	607.89	1150.86	1032.09	595.00	261.40	115.20	164.80	188.00	145.00	6.00	12.00
2009	420.04	1103.34	935.55	612.13	261.60	98.00	172.40	183.00	141.00	6.00	8.00
2010	435.07	949.31	995.69	570.06	109.20	147.10	183.00	140.00	27.00	7.00	3.00
2011	383.48	890.51	930.66	610.80	104.53	137.90	175.00	155.00	34.00	7.00	2.00
2012	349.71	819.31	838.29	569.30	115.93	141.80	155.00	174.00	33.00	8.00	2.00
2013	321.89	705.24	851.26	560.53	163.00	160.40	223.00	68.00	18.00	6.00	1.00
2014	310.11	647.84	842.21	538.03	170.40	150.40	201.00	74.00	18.00	5.00	1.00
2015	304.94	802.25	670.81	537.19	174.80	132.10	202.00	72.00	18.00	4.00	1.00

Harbours and Piers Development

Ceisteanna (1427)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

1427. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the real need to develop facilities at Greencastle Harbour and Leenan Pier in County Donegal; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that his Department's funding system for piers and harbours severely curtails Donegal County Council's ability to carry out the necessary improvement works; and if he will urgently review this funding system. [1235/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Greencastle Harbour and Leenan Pier are owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for their maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter. I am unaware of the plans these bodies have for the repair and development of the harbours and would advise the Deputy to contact them in this regard.

My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

My Department received an application for funding for a dredging project at Greencastle Harbour under the 2016 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. However this project did not meet our required terms and conditions as a Dumping at Sea/Foreshore Licence had not been secured in advance of the application submission. Therefore funding was not approved for this project. My Department did not receive any applications relating to Leenan Pier under the 2016 Programme.

Any application submitted by Donegal County Council in respect of capital development works at Greencastle Harbour and Leenan Pier under a future Local Authority capital programme will be given due consideration in the context of the criteria set out, available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Compensation Schemes

Ceisteanna (1428)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1428. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide a compensation scheme for farmers in counties Kerry and Cork which were affected by bad weather during the harvest season (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1239/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I know the Deputy raised this matter with me just before Christmas and I wish to re-iterate I fully acknowledge and accept that difficulties have been experienced by the farming community, not least by our tillage farmers. This sector is a very important area in the agricultural economy and 2016 was a challenging year both in terms of market returns and variable weather conditions experienced during the harvest. I wish to confirm that I have a number of key supports available to the tillage sector.

The Deputy is aware that last October I chaired a meeting with the main stakeholders in the tillage sector. As I said at the time and I wish to repeat here again this meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to express their views and concerns on the challenges they are facing but equally to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.

At that meeting and in direct response to the difficulties being experienced, I outlined that one of my chief priorities was to provide low-cost more flexible finance and in this regard I was happy to announce on Budget Day, my plans for a €150 million Agri Cash Flow Loan Support Scheme. This has been developed in conjunction with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), by leveraging EU and Exchequer funding totalling €25m from my Department, to deliver a total loan fund of €150 million, which will support highly flexible loans for up to six years, for amounts up to €150,000. The interest rate applying is 2.95% and the product will be available to livestock, tillage and horticulture farmers. Loans to tillage and horticulture farmers will be provided in line with the EU’s agriculture State Aid de minimis requirements.

This is a cashflow support facility, to improve the working capital position of farmers and other viable primary agriculture SMEs. The loans will be unsecured and are primarily to pay down expensive forms of credit such as merchant credit and other short-term financing facilities such as overdrafts. I recently welcomed the SBCI “Open Call” for financial intermediaries to deliver the Scheme.

The SBCI is targeting that the loans will be available in the market by the end of this month.

I am encouraging farmers to consider their cash flow and borrowings situation now and, if appropriate to their circumstances, to be prepared to apply for these loans when they become available.

The loan scheme is part of a “three pillar strategy” in response to income volatility that I announced in the Budget, along with additional tax measures and farm payments. Among the tax measures, I agreed with my colleague the Minister for Finance, for an adjustment to the current ‘Income Averaging’ system, which will allow for an opt-out in an exceptional year. This is available for 2016 tax liability, and will go some way towards addressing cashflow concerns.

As an additional support to cashflow on farms, including Tillage farms, I also confirmed that advance payments would be made this year in respect of the Basic Payment and Greening Payment schemes. Advance payments commenced on the 17th October last, the earliest possible date by which payments can begin under the governing EU Regulations, with the addition of balancing payments from the 1st December.

To date €1.162 billion has been paid out to more than 122,465 farmers and payments are ongoing. Payments in excess of €195 million have been made to more than 91,000 applicants under the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme. Also a TAMS Scheme specifically tailored to the tillage sector is due to open shortly. This scheme will support grain growers in achieving further economic efficiencies and details will be made available in the near future.

In addition, €3M was paid in December under the Protein Aid Scheme to over 1,000 farmers growing in excess of 12,000 ha of beans, peas and lupins. This coupled scheme was introduced in 2015 as part of the implementation of the reformed CAP package in Ireland.

I also stressed at the Tillage stakeholders meeting and I want to restate my view that in this changing landscape we need to take a fresh look at our tillage industry to ensure that it is best positioned to withstand possible future threats and to avail of the new opportunities which may present themselves.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Ceisteanna (1429)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

1429. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the current area of natural constraint payment system to ensure that those farmers, predominantly based in the west of Ireland and farming in areas of natural constraint, receive the level of financial support that they are entitled to. [1245/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Article 32 of EU Regulation 1305/2013 requires all member states to implement a new system for designating eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme from 2018 at the latest. At present, eligible land under the scheme is designated by reference to criteria such as stocking density, family farm income, population density and the percentage of the working population engaged in agriculture.

Under the new system of designation which must be introduced in 2018, eligible areas will have to be designated on the basis of biophysical criteria. The criteria set out in the legislation are:

- Low temperature

- Dryness

- Excess soil moisture

- Limited soil drainage

- Unfavourable texture and stoniness

- Shallow rooting depth

- Poor chemical properties

- Steep slope.

My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel, be subjected to a refinement process via fine tuning.

Once this process is complete, the draft data will provide the basis for the identification of eligible areas for ANC. It is envisaged that  stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1430)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1430. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1246/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue was identified with the commonage action. Department officials are examining this issue with a view to resolving  it and further processing the application for 2016 payment at the earliest opportunity.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Ceisteanna (1431)

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

1431. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be paid their 2014 beef data payment. [1252/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named did not make an application to participate in the 2014 Beef Data Programme or Beef Genomics Scheme. An application was received under her husband's herdnumber. However this herdnumber was subsequently terminated and all requirements transferred into the herd number of the person named. This has given rise to technical issues in making the payment. This issue will be resolved shortly and payment will issue then.

Harbours and Piers

Ceisteanna (1432)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

1432. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all the agencies and-or bodies with which his Department consulted prior to the decision to submit an application for a permit for the disposal of dredge material at sea from Killybegs Harbour; the analysis that has been carried out with respect to the economic impact which such activities may have on the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1253/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.

My Department is currently progressing a project for a proposed 120 metre quay extension at Smooth Point on the new pier at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. This project is in recognition of, and to facilitate, increasing levels of fish landings, commercial cargo and cruise liner activity in the Port, generating much needed economic benefits to the town and surrounding areas. It will also enable the relocation of larger fishing vessels from the Blackrock Pier to the new berthage area improving the safety and operations of the harbour.

At this point the project is at statutory permissions stage and the Department has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a permit to dispose at sea approximately 94,500m3 of uncontaminated silt and gravel to be dredged as part of the proposed quay development, at a site to be approved by the EPA.

The Department engaged consultants with specialist expertise to deliver this project, and as part of the Public Consultation on the Dumping At Sea (DAS) conducted in March 2016, letters were forwarded to 110 interested parties (see list) with twenty two respondents. The responses formed part of the submission to the EPA.

The Department expects that when complete this project will have a positive economic impact on Killybegs and its environs. Once the necessary consents are in place, the Department's Engineers will adopt appropriate procedures and deploy the necessary surveillance and monitoring equipment to ensure the project has a neutral impact on the environment. This programme will commence prior to the disposal operations and continue thereafter for an appropriate duration to safeguard the marine environment.

List of External Consultees for Killybegs Smooth Point Pier Development and Dumping at Sea Application

Semi Statutory Consultees	Contact Names
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)	Tara Higgins
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)	Anita Doherty
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)	Milton Mathews
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)	Grainne O'Brien/John Dennis/Ben Dallaghan
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine	Mr John Quinlan Principal Officer
Marine Institute	Margot Cronin/Oliver Tully
National Parks & Wildlife Service	Regional Manager
Underwater Archaeology Unit	Karl Brady
Commissioners of Irish Lights	Ms Yvonne Shields -Chief Executive
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport	Brian Hogan -Chief Surveyor
Donegal Co Co	David Friel
Donegal Co Co	County Manager
Killybegs Parish Council	Barry O'Hara
Benroe Lough Head Residence Association	Seran Nielson
St Catherine's Well Committee	Mrs Mary Melly
Tourism Committee	Ann Dorian
Sligo Co Co	Mr Ciarán Hayes -Chief Executive
Sligo Co Co	Garry Salter
Leitrim Co Co	Mr Frank Curran -Chief Executive
Mayo Co Co	Peter Hynes-County Manager
Killybegs Community Group	Ann Connaghan
Kilcar Parish Council	The Chair
Comhairle Pharoiste Gleann Cholm Cille	Freddie Hardy - Chairperson
Fishing Organisations
Irish Fish Processors and Exporters’ Association	Lorcan O'Cinnéide
Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO)	Ted Breslin
Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFO)	Francis O'Donnell
North Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum	Mr Shane McGee
Northwest Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum	Mr Eamon Dixon
South and West Fish Producers Organisation	John D. Sullivan, Chair
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group	Simon Berrow
Aquaculture Operators
IFA	Mr Richie Flynn
Ocean Farm Ltd	Patrick/Michael Gallagher
Marine Harvest Ireland Ltd	Catherine McManus
John McCloskey	John McCloskey
Natura Mussels Ltd.	Pascal Boutrais
	Tony Bodart
Ballyloughan Shellfish Ltd	Stephen Cullen
Donegal OceanDeep Oysters	Conor Reid
Donegal Oysters Ltd	Damien Reid
Rory McHugh	Rory McHugh
Eugene Doherty	Eugene Doherty
Seabreeze Ltd	William Britton
Des Moore	Des Moore
Paul McHugh	Paul McHugh
George McHugh	George McHugh
Charlie McHugh	Charlie McHugh
Vincent Gavigan	Vincent Gavigan
Coney Island Shellfish	Noel Carter
Ongrow Shellfish	George Hunter
Patrick Carter	Patrick Carter
Francis Carter	Francis Carter
Atlantic Clams/Sligo Aquaculture Ltd	Charles Kelly
Ardmada Shellfish Ltd	Paul Leyden
David Fowley	David Fowley
Marc Torrades seaweed longlines	Marc Torrades
Barry mcGuinness	Barry McGuinness
Eamonn Caffrey	Eamonn Caffrey
Eoin Carter	Eoin Carter
Glenn Hunter	Glenn Hunter
Mark Wurtz	Mark Wurtz
(Shrimp Fishing)	Paddy Cunningham
(Shrimp Fishing)	Daniel Haughey
Potting	Junior McGettigan
Harbour Users/Processors
UFI	Frank Trearty
Sinbad Marine Services	Jim Parkinson
Island Seafoods Ltd.	Mick O'Donnell
Albatross Seafoods	John Boyle
Gallagher Brothers (Fish Merchants) Ltd	Anne/Michael Gallagher
Killybegs Sea Foods Ltd	John McGuinness
Norfish Ltd	Tony Byrne
Donegal Fish Ltd	Sean Ward
Polar Fish	Nial O'Gorman
Donegal Co-op Processing Ltd	Sean Ward
Sean Ward (Fish Exports) Limited	Sean Ward
Murrin Fisheries Ltd.	James Murrin
West Coast Fish Processing Ltd	John Mc Guinness
Arctic Fish Processing Ltd.	Karl McHugh
Atlantic Dawn (International) Ltd	Niall O'Gorman/Karl McHugh
Mooney Boats	Lee Mooney
Errigal Sea Foods	Aodh O'Donnell
Fish Sales Killybegs Ltd	Conal Molloy
Eany Fish Products Ltd.	William Ward
Premier Fish Ltd	Frank Doherty
Starcrest Seafoods Ltd.	Alister McClay
Mullaghmore Sea Farm	Dathi O'Dowd/Frances O'Dowd
Killybegs Stevedoring	Manus Boyle
Pilots
Tony McGowan
Patsy Kelly
Noel McGettigan
J P McGuinness
Conor Mulligan
Local Angling Interests
Sligo Boat Charters (Sarah Marie & Sea Star), Rosses Point	Daryl Ewing
Offshore Watersports, Mullaghmore (Kiwi Girl)	Declan Kilgannon
Assaroe Star & Nuala Star, Teelin	Paddy Byrne
Bundoran Star, Bundoran	Patrick O'Donerty
Stingray, Rosses Point	Tommy McCallion
Fiona Tee, Mullaghmore	Keith Clarke
Smooth Hound, Mullinasloe	Richard Timoney
Roustabout, Mullaghmore	John Cuniffe
Prospector 1, Mullaghmore	Peter Power
Killybegs Angling Charters (Meredian), Killybegs	Brian McGilloway
Huntress Blue, Bruckless	Michael McGettigan
Golden Fleece	Smith Campbell
Lelia C	Michael Callaghan
Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club	Margaret Storey-Club Secretary
Killybegs Rowing Club	Cathal Boyle-Chairman
Mariners Angling Club	Gerry Mc Brearty
Killybegs Sea Angling Club	Michael Callaghan
Riverdale Heights Residence Committee	Ms Rosemary Matthew
Sailing Club	Kevin Hegarty

Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (1433)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1433. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in having payment under a scheme issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [1288/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applicant has submitted a claim for payment under the Young Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. The claim has been checked and payment will issue shortly.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (1434)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

1434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of outstanding GLAS payments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1302/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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.

5,928 GLAS 1 participants and 3,335 GLAS 2 participants are awaiting payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.

Outstanding payments under both GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 are largely due to unresolved queries associated with individual applications and Department officials are working through all the applications concerned on a case by case basis with the intention of processing payments which meet all required regulatory requirements on an on-going basis.