Written Answers Nos. 210-220
210. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the single payment scheme penalty that was imposed on a person (details supplied) for 2013 has not been reviewed despite an appeal being sent in; and the reason it was deemed eligible for exclusion under the 2013 direct payment schemes. [8846/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Terms and Conditions of the Direct Aid Schemes, which includes the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications. Ineligible features such as roads, buildings, farmyards, dense scrub, etc. must be excluded.
The Department carried out a review of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) in 2013. This resulted in adjustment to the parcels of a significant number of applicants due to the inclusion of ineligible features. In certain circumstances these adjustments gave rise to penalties as in the case of the person named. Adjustments were necessary on ten parcels declared by the named person, resulting in an over-claim of greater than 20%. A field visit was then carried out on the named person's holding to verify the results.
The person named was notified in writing on 17 September 2014 of the outcome of this field visit and was advised of his right to appeal within 4 months of this date if did not agree with the findings. He subsequently wrote to my Department in May 2015 and July 2016, however, no specific details regarding reasons for appealing were submitted.
An official from my Department will make direct contact the person named in the coming days.
211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte will consider the sale of cleared lands (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is the regulatory authority in relation to the control of felling. It is noted that, while the land is currently cleared, it had previously been under forestry and was felled under a felling licence issued under the Forestry Act 1946. There is, accordingly, an associated replanting obligation under the Act whereby this land is required to be replanted.
Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988, and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. The company has, however, offered that the interested parties may contact Coillte directly to discuss this matter. My office will forward the relevant contact details to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) with regard to Teagasc payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Knowledge Transfer Programme under Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 is delivered by a network of approved Knowledge Transfer Facilitators. Facilitators who meet their commitment under the programme are due a payment per participant of €500 for each year of the three year programme while farmers are due €750. Payment to facilitators under the programme covers the cost of preparing for and holding meetings as well as the time they spend producing an individualised Farm Improvement Plan for each farmer participant. My Department does not require a participant under the Knowledge Transfer Programme to be a client of Teagasc. Participants were free to choose a group facilitated by either a private or Teagasc advisor.
In addition to its involvement in the Knowledge Transfer Programme, Teagasc also provide an extensive range of Advisory Services to Ireland’s farmers, including 45,000 direct contracts. The primary purpose is to maximise the income and sustainability of farm families within rural communities through improved farm efficiency, based on the transfer of knowledge, new technologies and best practice to all sectors of the industry. The cost of delivering these services is partially borne by the State in the form of an annual Grant-in-Aid, with the balance provided by fees charged to farmers, and some programme support from industry-mainly dairy processing co-ops.
213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any grants available through his Department for the purchase of fishing vessels by a person wishing to set up a new business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund regulation prohibits the provision of funding for the construction of new fishing vessels or the importation of fishing vessels, certain grants and supports are available to those wishing to enter the fishing industry. The most salient of these to the Deputy's question is the New Fishermen Scheme, co-funded under Ireland’s European and Maritime Fisheries Fund Operational Programme, which assists new entrants into the fishing industry in acquiring ownership of their first whitefish fishing vessel. The maximum amount of available grant aid is up to 25% of the eligible acquisition costs of the vessel directly incurred by the applicant or an amount not exceeding €75,000, whichever is the lower. There are certain qualifying criteria in terms of age and a limited amount of experience and grant aid may be qualified by the nature of the vessel ownership arrangements. Application forms for this Scheme are available from Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
214. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the programme for Government commitment to seeking recognition from the European Commission for forgotten farmers as a group with specific disadvantage under the national reserve in the same way that old young farmers are currently provided for; when he expects to complete the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8905/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Regulations governing the National Reserve provides that the two mandatory categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’ must receive priority access to the Reserve. A young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when they first submit an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. A new entrant to farming is defined as a farmer who commenced their agricultural activity during the previous two years and did not have any agricultural activity in their own name and at their own risk in the five years preceding the start of the present agricultural activity.
The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve also include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements to persons who suffer from a 'Specific Disadvantage'. Support for such categories can only be considered once the two mandatory categories of young farmer and new entrant have been catered for. Decisions regarding the eligibility of farmers such as the Forgotten Farmers under the ‘specific disadvantage’ category of the National Reserve require the approval of the EU Commission and my Department is currently in contact with them.
215. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the board of Harold's Cross greyhound racing stadium approved the disposal of the stadium as of 16 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8909/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon has statutory responsibility for the development of the greyhound racing industry. In that context, it runs commercial operations in a number of greyhound stadia, including Harold's Cross.
In 2014, against the background of reducing income for the organisation through the recession, and a significant debt burden, my department commissioned an independent report into certain matters relating to Bord na gCon, including its financial performance and prospects. That report provided a road map for the sustainable development of the greyhound sector, and in that context recommended a number of asset disposals, including Harold's Cross, in order to reduce that debt burden.
Bord na gCon has informed me that Harold's Cross is a 100% owned subsidiary of Bord na gCon. On 13th February, Bord na gCon took the decision to cease greyhound racing in Harold's Cross.
The Board of Dublin Greyhound and Sports Association Ltd was due to meet on the 17th February to discuss the disposal of Harold's Cross. However, following requests by some directors for longer notice of a board meeting, I understand that a meeting of the board will be reconvened at a later date.
216. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the salaries, grades and positions, together with numbers, for the Irish Greyhound Board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8910/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The 2015 accounts for Bord na gCon includes a list of the numbers of employees receiving employee benefits, including salaries and pensions, above €60,000 per annum, and as required by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014.
The benefit categories are classified upwards from €60,000 in increments of €10,000, with the number of employees in each category shown. The 2015 accounts have been noted by Government and I expect them to be published in the coming days.
217. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 2015 annual report and accounts are not on the website of the Irish Greyhound Board; the reason they were taken down after a few days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8912/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Bord na gCon has informed me that an administrative error caused the premature publication of the 2015 Annual Report on the Bord na gCon website. They should not have been published until they had been noted by Government.
The accounts were noted by Government this week and will be published shortly.
218. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and when the person can expect a decision on their appeal in respect of the national reserve and young farmers scheme. [8922/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that the person named lodged an appeal on 30 January 2017 in relation to the National Reserve 2015 and Young Farmers Scheme 2015. My Department has provided the statement and file to the Director. An Authorisation form to nominate his personal representative has issued to the person named for completion. On receipt of the completed form the file will be assigned to an Appeals Officer who will be in contact with the person named.
219. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the circumstances surrounding the early departure of the CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board in December 2016; the contractual commitments the board is required to meet; the circumstances surrounding the appointment of an interim CEO; the process that was put in place; the duration of this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon (BnG) is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The matter raised by the Deputy regarding the circumstances surrounding the early departure of the CEO is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. However I am assured that the arrangements surrounding the departure were in accordance with Bord na gCon's contractual obligations and in accordance with its own legal advice.
Regarding the employment of the new CEO, I also understand that Bord na gCon is at present making arrangements for an open competition for the recruitment of a CEO. The consent of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will be required for any such appointment.
In the meantime BnG has informed me that it has engaged in a process with the purpose of carrying out the duties of the CEO in an interim capacity. In selecting an interim CEO, the requirement for a proven record in company restructuring and change management skills were criteria used in that selection. I understand that a number of people were interviewed and that the successful candidate was offered a six month fixed term contract.
220. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Irish Greyhound Board will advertise for a new CEO; the procedure that will be used to fill the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8935/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Bord na gCon has informed me that they posted an e-tender to secure the services of an executive search and selection company to advise it on the appointment of a new CEO. Once the executive search and selection company has been appointed the position will be advertised, interviews held and the appointment of a new CEO will be made, subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
