Written Answers Nos. 218-230
218. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, payment to a person (details supplied) which was due to them before Christmas 2016 yet they still have not received anything to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payments issued for the 2011-2015 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 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 these files and payment will be made as soon as possible.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway did not qualify for the young farmers scheme; the reason for refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under the 2016 Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. The application received was successful and payment under the 2016 Young Farmers Scheme issued on 3 February 2017.
220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to the Hen Harrier action. Department officials have resolved this issue and the application will now be further processed for the 2016 payment.
221. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of expenditure by his Department or any organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the years from 2005 to 2016, in tabular form, on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, interview training and preparation, including details of the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related, and the company or individual to whom such payments were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6531/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for the expenditure on Website Development and Interview Training and Preparation for the years 2005 to 2016 is provided in the following tables.
Due to the number of topics included in the question by the Deputy, it was not possible to provide all the data, in the required time. I will revert to the Deputy with a full response, for the outstanding data on expenditure for Photography, Advertising, Communications Advice and Public Relations, as soon as it is available.
In relation to the State Bodies, under the aegis of this Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves and they have been requested to forward the relevant information directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
Website Development Year 2005 to 2016 |
Details of Events, Campaigns and Policies |
Name of company/individual in receipt of payment |
Cost € |
|
2005 |
Nil |
||
|
2006 |
Nil |
||
|
2007 |
Nil |
||
|
2008 |
Redesign, redevelopment and implementation, including Content Management System licensing for the DAFM website |
Terminal Four Solutions Limited |
296,755 |
|
2009 |
Redesign, redevelopment and implementation, including Content Management System licensing for the DAFM website |
Terminal Four Solutions Limited |
38,143 |
|
2010 |
Redesign, redevelopment and implementation, including Content Management System licensing for the DAFM website |
Terminal Four Solutions Limited |
65,123 |
|
2011 |
Design, development and implementation of the Coford, Woodspec and WoodEnergy websites. |
Terminal Four Solutions Limited |
9,791 |
|
2012-2016 |
Nil |
|
Interview Training and Preparation Year 2005 to 2016 |
Details of Events, Campaigns and Policies |
Name of company/individual in receipt of payment |
Cost |
|
2005 |
Nil |
||
|
2006 |
Nil |
||
|
2007 |
Interviewer Training |
Pathway Ltd |
14,245 |
|
2008 |
Interviewer Training |
Pathway Ltd |
2,700 |
|
2009 |
Nil |
||
|
2010 |
Interviewer Training |
Pathway Consultant |
1,120 |
|
2011 |
Interviewer Training |
Carr Communications |
1,296 |
|
2012 |
Interviewer Training |
Carr Communications |
1,689 |
|
2013 |
Interviewer Training |
Carr Communications |
1,050 |
|
2014 |
Interviewer Training |
Carr Communications |
1,900 |
|
2015 |
Interviewer Training |
Appian Point Ltd |
1,000 |
|
2016 |
Interviewer Training |
RSM International Associates |
4,400 |
|
2016 |
Interviewer Training |
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon International |
1,100 |
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
222. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the review of the regional laboratories; and his views on the suggestion of closure or amalgamation of the Kilkenny laboratory. [6546/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of its Laboratory Services in order to develop a long-term strategy for the Laboratories and to build on the existing capability and expertise of the Service. The group considered both the Central Laboratory Complex at Backweston and the Regional Laboratories located in Athlone, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo. The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
1. Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
2. Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
3. Options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories - with a view to improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers and
4. Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning.
The Department is currently consulting with its laboratory-based staff on these recommendations and is proceeding to consult with other stakeholders.
A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Laboratories any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
223. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings he has had with the Irish farmers with designated land, since he took office; if he reviewed their proposals; his plans to implement such proposals; the timeline for implementation of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with Irish Farmers with Designated land (IFDL) on several occasions, including most recently on 9 January 2017. I am very aware of their concerns. They have also made a detailed written submission to me, which is under review.
The main issue here relates to the devaluation of land as a result of designation, and specifically designation for the Hen Harrier. In that respect, the restrictions arising as regards afforestation and construction of windfarms have proved particularly contentious. Designation of these areas is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my Department has raised the matter in recent discussions with that Department, as part of the development of a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier.
In the meantime, I have already provided for significant payments to affected farmers via the GLAS hen harrier action, and a new locally-led scheme for farmers in affected areas will also open to recruitment later this year.
224. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the proposals that Irish farmers with designated land have with regard to resolving land devaluation issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6579/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with Irish Farmers with Designated land (IFDL) on several occasions and I am very aware of their concerns, specifically in relation to land devaluation. They have also made a detailed written submission to me, setting out their proposals for addressing this issue, and this submission is under review.
The main issue for the farmers concerned relates to the devaluation of land as a result of designation, and specifically designation for the Hen Harrier. In that respect, the restrictions arising as regards afforestation and construction of wind farms have proved particularly contentious. Designation of these areas is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and my Department has raised the matter in recent discussions with that Department, as part of the development of a Threat Response Plan for the Hen Harrier.
In the meantime, I have already provided for significant payments to affected farmers via the GLAS hen harrier action, and a new locally-led scheme for farmers in affected areas will also open to recruitment later this year.
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is a 100% penalty on payments such as ANC in cases in which the sheep census is not returned by the appointed date; if he has the flexibility to consider a graduated system of penalties as is the case with other late penalties applied to payments; the current regulatory requirements regarding such penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6582/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Terms and Conditions of the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme set out the requirement for applicants, where applicable, to count the sheep/goats present in the flock on their holding and to return this number to the Department via the annual sheep/goat census. The return of this census is a legal obligation. The relevant EU Regulation which applies is Regulation No. 21/2004.
This data is then used to verify whether or not the applicant has the required stocking density on his / her holding. The requirement to meet the minimum stocking level is an eligibility requirement of the scheme, and thus non-compliance results in an applicant not being eligible for payments.
In all cases of such non-compliances, it remains open to applicants to appeal such decisions to my Department and subsequently to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
226. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 5 July 2016, and the variables used to calculate such figures, the detail of the approximate additional annual increase in funding needed for the farm assist scheme to attain compensation set at a maximum level of €200 in scenarios (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6584/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy's question refers to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and not the Farm Assist Scheme. In the case of the BDGP, this information is not readily available as it will need to be updated to take account of recent changes in scheme participation. It is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
227. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 applicants that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting a 2016 payment; the total number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive payment per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6585/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information as requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The cases that have passed Pre-Payment Validations (PPV) are being sent for payment this week. My Department is continuing to review outstanding cases and will continue to process payment runs on at a least a weekly basis.
|
County |
GLAS 1: Number of active applicants |
GLAS 1: Numbers Paid |
GLAS 1: Number PPV Pass |
GLAS 1: Number Unpaid |
GLAS 2: Number of active applicants |
GLAS 2: Numbers Paid |
GLAS 2: Number PPV Pass |
GLAS 2: Number Unpaid |
|
Carlow |
283 |
210 |
4 |
69 |
131 |
107 |
2 |
22 |
|
Cavan |
916 |
757 |
6 |
153 |
448 |
375 |
5 |
68 |
|
Clare |
1,631 |
1,381 |
8 |
242 |
703 |
586 |
11 |
106 |
|
Cork |
2,225 |
1,716 |
37 |
472 |
1,069 |
812 |
17 |
240 |
|
Donegal |
1,978 |
1,543 |
63 |
372 |
1,024 |
748 |
46 |
230 |
|
Dublin |
65 |
49 |
0 |
16 |
17 |
14 |
0 |
3 |
|
Galway |
3,144 |
2,361 |
61 |
722 |
1,350 |
961 |
48 |
341 |
|
Kerry |
1,794 |
1,392 |
77 |
325 |
894 |
647 |
60 |
187 |
|
Kildare |
256 |
196 |
3 |
57 |
86 |
62 |
0 |
24 |
|
Kilkenny |
445 |
343 |
4 |
98 |
216 |
174 |
1 |
41 |
|
Laois |
375 |
289 |
2 |
84 |
207 |
164 |
1 |
42 |
|
Leitrim |
1,035 |
847 |
4 |
184 |
429 |
354 |
7 |
68 |
|
Limerick |
1,065 |
820 |
10 |
235 |
313 |
267 |
3 |
43 |
|
Longford |
519 |
432 |
0 |
87 |
360 |
308 |
5 |
47 |
|
Louth |
150 |
83 |
31 |
36 |
82 |
42 |
27 |
13 |
|
Mayo |
2,610 |
2,004 |
65 |
541 |
1,365 |
953 |
43 |
369 |
|
Meath |
442 |
341 |
2 |
99 |
211 |
162 |
1 |
48 |
|
Monaghan |
585 |
470 |
5 |
110 |
152 |
126 |
3 |
23 |
|
Offaly |
485 |
412 |
1 |
72 |
292 |
235 |
2 |
55 |
|
Roscommon |
1,551 |
1,279 |
3 |
269 |
566 |
477 |
7 |
82 |
|
Sligo |
958 |
808 |
4 |
146 |
372 |
312 |
5 |
55 |
|
Tipperary |
1,162 |
898 |
20 |
244 |
533 |
396 |
14 |
123 |
|
Waterford |
367 |
253 |
11 |
103 |
136 |
91 |
7 |
38 |
|
Westmeath |
657 |
539 |
2 |
116 |
279 |
227 |
1 |
51 |
|
Wexford |
792 |
579 |
5 |
208 |
272 |
213 |
5 |
54 |
|
Wicklow |
335 |
253 |
11 |
71 |
160 |
94 |
10 |
56 |
|
Totals |
25,825 |
20,255 |
439 |
5,131 |
11,667 |
8,907 |
331 |
2,429 |
228. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of AEOS recipients by county that have received their total 2016 payment; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting a 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS applicants that have yet to receive payment per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 these files and payment will be made in all cases as soon as possible Payments are being made to applicants who have passed the administrative checks on an ongoing basis.
|
County |
Totals |
Paid |
Awaiting Payment |
|
Carlow |
49 |
39 |
10 |
|
Cavan |
244 |
191 |
53 |
|
Clare |
556 |
454 |
102 |
|
Cork |
428 |
285 |
143 |
|
Donegal |
1360 |
1,031 |
329 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
8 |
1 |
|
Galway |
1245 |
907 |
338 |
|
Kerry |
568 |
418 |
150 |
|
Kildare |
39 |
25 |
14 |
|
Kilkenny |
109 |
60 |
49 |
|
Laois |
80 |
46 |
34 |
|
Leitrim |
430 |
315 |
115 |
|
Limerick |
224 |
138 |
86 |
|
Longford |
89 |
56 |
33 |
|
Louth |
41 |
26 |
15 |
|
Mayo |
1399 |
921 |
478 |
|
Meath |
83 |
52 |
31 |
|
Monaghan |
151 |
89 |
62 |
|
Offaly |
110 |
76 |
34 |
|
Roscommon |
478 |
351 |
127 |
|
Sligo |
335 |
233 |
102 |
|
Tipperary |
245 |
145 |
100 |
|
Waterford |
82 |
57 |
25 |
|
Westmeath |
122 |
77 |
45 |
|
Wexford |
84 |
45 |
39 |
|
Wicklow |
80 |
55 |
25 |
|
Totals |
8640 |
6,100 |
2,540 |
229. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of participants under the national reserve scheme in each year to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve was introduced in 2015. In 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million in funding. This was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. The total number of beneficiaries under the National Reserve in 2015 is detailed in the following table.
|
Scheme Year |
Total Number of Beneficiaries |
|
2015 |
6,262 |
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 claw-back 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 for the option of applying a linear cut to 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. Decisions relating to the availability of a 2017 National Reserve will be made following determination of available funding and the conclusion of the consultation process involving the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which is currently under way.
230. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total budget allocation for each year under CAP Pillar 1 2014 to 2020 for young farmers under the national reserve scheme; the total amount drawn down in each year and to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015 the National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24.7 million in funding which was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. The EU regulations governing the National Reserve provides that priority under the National Reserve must be given to ‘young farmers’ and to ‘new entrants to farming’. There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding has been utilised under the 2015 scheme. There were 6,260 beneficiaries under the 2015 National Reserve of which 5,567 were successful applicants under the ‘young farmer’ priority category. Details are set out in the following table.
|
Scheme Year |
Total Number of beneficiaries under the National Reserve |
Number of beneficiaries under the Young Farmer priority Category |
|
2015 |
6,260 |
5,567 |
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 claw-back 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 for the option of applying a linear cut to 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 and advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve. Decisions relating to the availability of a 2017 National Reserve will be made following determination of available funding and the completion of the consultation process involving the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which is currently under way.
