Written Answers Nos. 301-312
301. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing the balance of a basic payment scheme payment for 2015 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4750/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13th May 2015. Payments issued in this case in November and December 2015 to the nominated bank account of the person named. The final balancing payment for the amount outstanding will issue in the near future.
302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding nitrates regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, the Nitrates regulations fall under the remit of my colleague, Minister Coveney.
The first Nitrates Action Programme (2006) included a transitional provision to encourage recycling of pig and poultry manure and spent mushroom compost. This provided additional time to these industries to comply with the limits set down for phosphorus applications. This provision was included in the Nitrates Regulations, with the agreement of the Commission, as it was recognised that these industries faced a significant challenge in securing additional lands to comply in the first instance with the Nitrogen limits set down but more critically, to fully comply with the more limiting element for these sectors i.e. phosphorus.
This provision was due to end at the end of 2010 but during the review of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme in 2010, the difficulties faced by the industry as a result of (a) the dioxin crisis and (b) escalating feed costs was recognised and the transitional arrangement was further extended.
The 2010 Regulations provided for a 2 year extension to the full transitional arrangement followed by the graduated reductions in 2013 (5kg/ha) and 2015 (3kg/ha) and full compliance with the Phosphorus limits by 2017.
Since the introduction of the regulations, a number of measures have been introduced by my own Department which benefitted pig and poultry producers, such as access to grant aids schemes such as the current TAMS scheme, supporting the industry in achieving compliance.
My Department also facilitated the streamlining of the submission of records for the movement of pig slurry and poultry manure. Prior to the introduction of the Nitrates regulations records of movements of pig slurry and poultry manure were submitted to the EPA and there was also a requirement for a nutrient management plan to be prepared for a farmer importing pig slurry/poultry manure. This is no longer the case and records are now submitted directly to my Department and a nutrient management plan is no longer required. This has helped to remove a barrier to the use of these valuable fertilisers.
I understand the concerns within the pig and poultry sectors to the ending of these transitional provisions and in particular the requirement of more lands for the recycling of these manures. My Department has been in discussion with the IFA and has been following up on this matter, and has also been liaising with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government which is the lead Department with respect to these regulations.
In order to assist the sector the following immediate action has been taken.
- Pig slurry imported during the closed period of 2017 will count towards 2018, 170 kg and nutrient limits. This will provide a valve to allow slurry to be carried over to the following year from 2017.
- In addition my Department has contacted Teagasc who will continue to promote the use of these manures as valuable fertilisers.
GLAS pays farmers to apply slurry using low emission technologies. The use of pig slurry to avail of this measure has been encouraged and my Dept. will continue to encourage its use.
To conclude, the transitional provisions ended on 31 December 2016. However, through the implementation of the activities and measures as detailed above it is expected that the impact will be minimised. I can assure you that my Department will continue to work to facilitate proposals brought forward by the sector to assist them in ensuring these valuable fertilisers are efficiently used on Irish farms.
A full review of the regulations will commence shortly, including these specific provisions, led by the Department of Housing, Planning and local Government and assisted by my Department.
303. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding his Department gave to Bord na gCon in each year from 2005 to 2016, in tabular form. [4804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon's income is derived from two sources, namely turnover from racing facilities and financial support provided by the Department from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
State funding provided from the Fund is pivotal to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. In accordance with the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, the level of financial support provided to Bord na gCon is approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
In accordance with the 2001 Act, 80% and 20% of the monies paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively.
The funding being provided to the greyhound racing sector helps sustain a long standing tradition as the industry is part of the social fabric of our country. This funding is of particular importance to the economic activity of rural areas. It has also contributed significantly to the improved facilities now available at greyhound tracks around Ireland. The greyhound industry also contributes significantly to tourism in Ireland, having successfully identified and developed a niche market among continental European visitors.
The following table provides information on the amount of funding given to Bord na gCon from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from 2005 to 2016 inclusive.
|
Year |
Amount € |
|
2005 |
13,670,000 |
|
2006 |
14,012,000 |
|
2007 |
14,572,000 |
|
2008 |
15,257,000 |
|
2009 |
13,625,600 |
|
2010 |
11,852,800 |
|
2011 |
11,460,000 |
|
2012 |
11,258,000 |
|
2013 |
11,004,000 |
|
2014 |
10,844,000 |
|
2015 |
13,600,000 |
|
2016 |
14,800,000 |
304. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive a payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
The 85% payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named.
305. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential investment projects his Department put forward to the Department of Finance task force report for the European Fund for Strategic Investments. [4860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2014, my Department contributed projects for inclusion in Ireland's project list as submitted to the “EIB-Commission-Member State "Special Task Force on developing an investment project pipeline in the EU". The possible projects and project areas that were outlined at that time included:
- An Agri-Food Loan Fund
- Afforestation and the creation of woodland
- Capital projects in Fishery Harbours
- Marine Research and Infrastructure Initiative, the Irish Digital Ocean.
This was in advance of the launch of the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI), which is now available to provide loans and guarantees for strategic investments, and is managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
306. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4901/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received form the person named on 10 May 2016.
Processing of the application has recently been finalised, with payment due to issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
307. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the final costs to the Exchequer of each commission of investigation that has been completed to date in his Department, in addition to the estimated costs to date of ongoing commissions of investigation. [5300/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no commissions of investigation within my Department from January 2004 to date.
308. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the efficiency of the national strategy for angling development. [4753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the national strategy for angling development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra310. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the national strategy for angling development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.
The angling sector contributes €836 million to the Irish economy every year supporting 11,000 Irish jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities where fewer job opportunities are available.
The National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) is the first comprehensive national framework for the development of our angling resource. It aims, via investment of some €25 million over the coming years, to increase economic contribution of angling to €932 million per year and increase employment by over 1,800 jobs. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is already investigating the full array of potential funding sources.
To date, my Department has provided some €2 million in funding support for the NSAD. IFI have successfully reviewed project applications and I announced approval for the first €500,000 of investment for 50 community-based projects nationwide in December last. Further tranches of project funding will be announced in 2017.
In addition, IFI has secured funding of €536,000 for the NSAD from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Action Plan for Rural Development, with which the NSAD is aligned.
The strategy is intended to deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming years to deliver considerable benefits in terms of employment, tourism and health and wellbeing, particularly in rural areas. Effective and sustainable implementation of the NSAD, delivered together with local and national stakeholders, will ensure stability of existing jobs and businesses reliant on angling; and the creation of new jobs as the economic impact of angling grows.
This will ensure that Ireland's fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for both their economic value and their recreational benefit to the communities and visitors they serve across Ireland.
I note and appreciate the Deputy's attendance at the Inland Fisheries Information Day for Oireachtas members on Wednesday 25th January and am pleased that he took the opportunity to raise issues directly with IFI. IFI also advise that they would be happy to meet and brief the Deputy on any issue he may wish to discuss.
311. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a household (details supplied) in County Louth will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a household (details supplied) in County Louth will have access to high speed broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 311 and 312 together.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed broadband services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated.
The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:
- The areas marked BLUE on the High Speed Broadband Map represent those areas where commercial telecommunications providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention, which are the subject of the current procurement process.
The areas referred to by the Deputy fall within a BLUE area and are therefore expected to be covered by commercial operators. Individuals can check whether their premises are in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode.
While I cannot compel any operator to provide services to particular premises, the National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that all premises can access high speed broadband. My Department is therefore closely monitoring the rollout of services in the BLUE area, including Dundalk. I would encourage consumers in Dundalk who cannot access high speed broadband services to contact my Department directly at broadband@dccae.gov.ie, quoting their address and Eircode, and giving details of providers they have contacted with a view to obtaining services. This information will assist the Department in keeping track of progress in those areas and following up if necessary.
My Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network within the State Intervention Area including over 15,100 premises in Co. Louth, covering 100,000 km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland.
The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the rollout of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.
In a further positive initiative, last July, I established a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce with my colleague Minister Humphreys to address immediate issues in relation to the quality of mobile phone and broadband coverage. The Taskforce report is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dccae.gov.ie/communications/en-ie/Broadband/Pages/Mobile-Phone-and-Broadband-Taskforce.aspx.
I have signed Regulations allowing ComReg to proceed with an early 2017 auction of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, to provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. I have also secured €8m for RTE which will allow it to free up the 700MHz spectrum band, to provide enhanced mobile services.
In the meantime, my Department continues to liaise closely with industry and relevant other Departments and agencies to assist in the commercial deployment of telecommunications networks. The commercial telecommunications sector has invested over €2.5bn in upgrading and modernising networks which support the provision of high speed broadband and mobile telecoms services.
These investments should assist in significantly improving the coverage and quality of broadband and mobile voice and data services throughout the country, including County Louth.
