Written Answers Nos. 185-194
185. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payments under the green low carbon agri-environment scheme for a person (details supplied). [3629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
The first payment due to the person named is in respect of the 2016 scheme year. During the prepayment checks in respect of 2016 issues were identified with the Protection of Watercourses from Bovines action which require further examination. Once these issues have been satisfactorily resolved, the application will be further processed for payment.
186. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in making the TAMS scheme available to the tillage sector; and the timeframe for when same will be opened. [3630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed Tillage measure under the TAMS II Scheme comprises a number of new investments that have not previously been available under the TAMS scheme. Before the new measure can be opened for online applications, a detailed technical specification and a set of costings must be drawn up for each of these new investments as well as a bespoke IT system to cater for these investments.
This process is underway and it is expected that the scheme will be open for online applications shortly.
187. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 farmers that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of farmers that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table shows on a county by county basis, (i) the total number of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 farmers that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment and (ii) the number of farmers that have passed all pre-payment validation checks in respect of 2016 and are awaiting their 2016 payment.
|
- |
GLAS 1 - 85% Paid for 2016 |
GLAS 2 - 85% Paid for 2016 |
GLAS 1 - Passed PrePayment checks for 2016 and awaiting payment |
GLAS 2 - Passed PrePayment checks for 2016 and awaiting payment |
|
Carlow |
187 |
94 |
14 |
9 |
|
Cavan |
705 |
334 |
23 |
22 |
|
Clare |
1,337 |
533 |
16 |
34 |
|
Cork |
1,608 |
739 |
61 |
43 |
|
Donegal |
1,494 |
701 |
23 |
27 |
|
Dublin |
47 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
|
Galway |
2,244 |
828 |
42 |
105 |
|
Kerry |
1,336 |
607 |
19 |
27 |
|
Kildare |
185 |
55 |
10 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
295 |
159 |
23 |
6 |
|
Laois |
274 |
153 |
10 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
822 |
338 |
8 |
6 |
|
Limerick |
785 |
250 |
19 |
8 |
|
Longford |
406 |
282 |
7 |
11 |
|
Louth |
76 |
36 |
5 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1,911 |
901 |
49 |
27 |
|
Meath |
314 |
147 |
9 |
5 |
|
Monaghan |
440 |
114 |
14 |
3 |
|
Offaly |
399 |
219 |
7 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
1,226 |
438 |
19 |
15 |
|
Sligo |
789 |
285 |
12 |
9 |
|
Tipperary |
839 |
344 |
28 |
9 |
|
Waterford |
234 |
80 |
5 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
509 |
208 |
16 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
531 |
195 |
30 |
7 |
|
Wicklow |
233 |
85 |
11 |
5 |
|
Totals: |
19,226 |
8,137 |
483 |
406 |
188. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of AEOS farmers that have received total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of farmers that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 5674 Farmers have received AEOS payments in respect of the 2016 Scheme year. 228 Farmers have successfully passed the administrative checks and payments to these farmers will issue shortly. These are detailed below by county, in tabular form.
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 2 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 the remainder of these files and payment will be made in all cases as soon as possible.
|
County |
Payment issued |
Checks complete |
|
Carlow |
35 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
162 |
30 |
|
Clare |
409 |
41 |
|
Cork |
271 |
8 |
|
Donegal |
966 |
56 |
|
Dublin |
8 |
0 |
|
Galway |
783 |
53 |
|
Kerry |
375 |
15 |
|
Kildare |
22 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
55 |
1 |
|
Laois |
41 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
307 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
130 |
4 |
|
Longford |
56 |
0 |
|
Louth |
26 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
897 |
5 |
|
Meath |
51 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
87 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
71 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
343 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
229 |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
136 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
50 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
75 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
37 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
52 |
0 |
|
Totals |
5674 |
228 |
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if An Bord Bia has the necessary resources to support market development, in-market intelligence, in-market promotion and in-market trade support in its 2017 budget to seek out new markets following the Brexit vote; the total number of additional staff that will be hired in 2017 to help in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdditional resources have been provided to Bord Bia in 2016 and 2017. During 2016 Bord Bia received sanction for 20 additional staff. Recruitment is well advanced with just four of the positions remaining to be filled in 2017. The recruitment programme has supported a number of initiatives including the opening of offices in Warsaw and Singapore, the establishment of The Thinking House, a consumer insight and innovation centre which provided services to over 100 client companies in 2016, the addition of a trade marketing specialist in Shanghai and an additional trade marketing specialist in the UK and participation in an increased number of international trade fairs during 2017. These initiatives will complement an ambitious programme of trade missions in 2017 which will be undertaken by the Department, Bord Bia and other development agencies, and companies. As part of the overall workforce planning by my Department and its agencies, Bord Bia is also preparing a workforce plan for 2017 and beyond to identify further measures to support market diversification for food and drink producers and companies.
Additional funding of €2 million for market development, intelligence, promotion and assistance to companies has been provided in the 2017 Budget and builds on the increases in funding in recent years. The €2 million will enable Bord Bia to undertake activities including an export marketing strategy programme to help individual companies to maintain and grow their position in the UK and/or diversify their market reach , research to identify priority market opportunities, participation in three new trade fairs in Asia and increasing presence at key shows such as Gull Food, where space will be doubled, and Anuga in Germany. The overall programme for 2017 is ambitious and focused on the industry and the particular challenges facing the sector in 2017.
190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of aquaculture licences sought in the 2011 to 2016 period, by county, in tabular form; the number awaiting decision in this period; the number decided in this period; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3640/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences sought since he came into office; the number awaiting decision when he came into office; the number decided since he came into office; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licences sought for County Donegal since he came into office; the number awaiting decision when he came into office; the number decided since he came into office; the number awaiting decision at present broken down between shell fish licences and fin fish licences; if a public consultation took place with stakeholders before any licences were issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 191 and 193 together.
The very detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and will require an extensive examination of my Department’s records.
The information sought by the Deputy will be given priority by the licensing Division of my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
I can confirm now, however, that the legislation governing aquaculture licence applications provides for a period of statutory and general public consultation, which is adhered to in all cases.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
192. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fin fish and shell fish licence applications he expects to decide on between now and 1 April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for marine-based aquaculture licences in accordance with the following legislation:
Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 (and Regulations made thereafter e.g. SI 236 of 1998)
- Foreshore Act 1933
- EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)
- EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC)
- Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Directives (2011/92/EU).
In addition, my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting an “Appropriate Assessment” process in respect of designated Natura bays. This process was agreed with the European Commission and is designed to ensure that Ireland is in full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
This process includes the following steps:
- a detailed data collection in Marine Bays/Estuaries
- detailed analysis of raw data collected
- setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site
- carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application / fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and
- determination of Licences on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors.
The Appropriate Assessment process has now been completed in respect of twenty-one bays.
The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors as well as various statutory consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. It is not possible to predict with certainty what issues will arise from this process of consultation which may require further investigation. The average timeframe for processing each particular application varies depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period.
In all the circumstances, it is not possible to give a definitive figure for licence determinations in the first Quarter of 2017. However, up to 50 licence determinations are considered achievable either in Quarter 1 or shortly thereafter.
194. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under the new agri-fund loan scheme the SBCI will provide, funds will be loaned to farmers for the purchase of livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3645/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe innovative “Agriculture Cash Flow Support Loan Scheme”, developed by my Department and the SBCI, will provide farmers with a low cost, flexible source of working capital and will allow them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term debt, ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of viable farming enterprises. Although working capital would normally include trading stock, each application will be subject to agreement with the relevant financial institution and their lending assessment criteria.
