Written Answers Nos. 676-689
676. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the State veterinary laboratories he is considering for relocation, in tabular form; the location of each such laboratory; the areas to his Department has earmarked to relocate the laboratories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9812/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department commissioned a Working Group, led by Prof. Alan Reilly, to undertake a comprehensive review of both its Central Laboratory Complex in Backweston, near Celbridge Co. Kildare and its Regional Laboratories. The names and locations of all of the regional laboratories that were considered as part of this review process are listed in the following table:
The Working Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes various recommendations for the future strategic development of the Laboratories, including on:
- re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex and on
- options for the future development of the Regional Laboratories.
The latter was focused on improving disease investigative and surveillance capability but with the over-riding imperative of maintaining and enhancing services to farmers.
A decision on any of the recommendations in the review will await the outcome of the consultative process, currently ongoing. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
My Department's regional laboratories are located as follows:
|
Name of Regional Laboratory |
Location of Regional Laboratory |
|
Athlone Regional Veterinary Laboratory |
Coosan, Athlone |
|
Blood Testing Laboratory |
Model farm Road, Cork |
|
Cork Dairy Science Laboratory |
Model farm Road, Cork |
|
Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratory |
Model farm Road, Cork |
|
Kilkenny Regional Veterinary Laboratory |
Hebron Road (Leggetsrath), Kilkenny |
|
Limerick Dairy Science Laboratory |
Kileely, Limerick |
|
Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory |
Knockalisheen, Limerick |
|
Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory |
Doonally, Sligo |
677. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant aid currently available to farmers to incentivise use of biogas digesters and renewable energy production; and his plans in this regard. [9813/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently does not have a grant aid scheme in place for the use of biogas digesters and renewable energy production.
Under the Rural Development Programme 2000 -2006 a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme made funding available for the installation of anaerobic digesters on 10 Irish farms. Of the 10 applicants who were approved under the scheme, two applications were finalised and drew down the grant available and a further two cases have been given an extension to the end of 2017 to complete the work.
The Bio-Energy Scheme commenced in 2007 on a nationally funded pilot basis and continued to be nationally funded until 2010. The scheme was co-funded under the RDP 2007-2013 for the years from 2011 to 2014. The Bioenergy Scheme 2015 provided once off capital grants up to 40% subject to a maximum of €1,040 per hectare to facilitate the establishment of willow for use in renewable energy production. Previous schemes had covered both willow and miscanthus. Grant aid was payable in respect of ground preparation, seed purchase and planting costs. Up take on the Scheme was poor and attracted only four applications. The 2015 Scheme was nationally funded. The continuation of the scheme of support for the growing of bio-energy crops is currently under review.
The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment are currently undertaking a public consultation on the design options and implementation of a Renewable Heat Incentive in Ireland. Anaerobic Digestion is included on the list of technologies being considered for support.
678. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 8 February 2017 regarding a person (details supplied), if the portion of the land that needed to be reassessed for the balance of the 2015 payment under the GLAS scheme has been examined; if the examination has not yet taken place, the reason; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of farmers in the Carlingford and Cooley Peninsula area are still waiting for assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9873/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received a first payment instalment in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2015 balancing prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to the Low-Input Permanent Pasture action. Department officials have examined and resolved this issue and the application is now being further processed for the 2015 balancing payment.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the 2016 scheme year payment will be processed.
679. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9881/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 presented on the crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
680. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the review of veterinary laboratories being carried out was initiated by his Department or by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9956/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department agreed some years ago with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to review its regional laboratories as an action under the Croke Park Action Plan. However, having concluded that regional laboratories should not be viewed in isolation, my Department decided to extend the review process to include its central laboratories which are located at Backweston, Co. Kildare.
My Department therefore tasked a Working Group led by Professor Alan Reilly to undertake this broader review with the following Terms of Reference:
1. To define the laboratory services and expertise that DAFM requires at present and in the foreseeable future;
2. To consider how these laboratory services and expertise can best be delivered; and
3. Outline an implementation plan, including timescale, for proposed changes.
The report of this Working Group is now being considered by the Department, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
681. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will open the regional veterinary laboratory in Sligo after the review of the veterinary laboratories. [9957/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Doonally, Sligo, continues to provide a laboratory diagnostic service to the North West region.
My Department commissioned a Working Group led by Prof. Alan Reilly to undertake a comprehensive review of the Department’s Laboratories (which are located at Backweston, Sligo, Limerick, Cork, Athlone and Kilkenny).
The Group has presented a report to the Department, which makes recommendations on:
- Oversight and co-ordination of the laboratories activities
- Re-organisation of Divisions and support functions within the Central Laboratory complex
- 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
- Human resources management within the laboratories - with a focus on grading structures, career development opportunities and workforce planning
My Department is currently consulting with all relevant stakeholders.
A decision on any of these recommendations will await the outcome of this consultative process. In the case of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories, any decision will also be informed by a cost benefit analysis of the various options that have been proposed for their future development.
682. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); when the application will proceed to pre-payment validation stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10058/17]
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 presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
683. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting at which he has made the case for the need for a Brexit financial support package for Irish farmers during the UK's two year exit phase from the EU and subsequent transition phase, specifically under Article 219 of the CMO Regulation; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the course of recent discussions I have raised the issue of EU support for the agrifood sector informally with Commissioner Hogan, and he has indicated his readiness to consider this. I and my officials are also continuing our engagement with the Commission and with other Member States in order to ensure that Ireland's concerns and requirements in relation to Brexit are fully understood.
In the meantime, the deputy will be aware of the many measures already in place to support the agrifood sector in dealing with the impact of the fall in value of sterling against the euro. These support measures include additional funding for Bord Bia and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, increased expenditure on the Rural Development Programme and the Seafood Development Programme, agri-taxation measures and the recently launched €150 million low-cost loan scheme, which uses Ireland's most recent EU aid of €11 million to leverage significant funding to help deal with the immediate impact of Brexit.
684. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10084/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
During the 2015 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to the Low-Input Permanent Pasture action. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to processing the application for the 2015 payment as soon as possible.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the 2016 scheme year payment will be processed.
685. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an AEOS 2 payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued in respect of 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 2016 is the final scheme-year of payment for the person named, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. It is expected that these checks will be completed shortly and payments due will issue then.
686. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10086/17]
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 Protection of Watercourses from Bovines action. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for the 2016 payment.
687. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will allow a person (details supplied) to resubmit a new TAMS II application with revised figures, not including VAT, in order that the information technology system can correctly process and facilitate payment as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10087/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for payment in this case is currently being examined and will be finalised as soon as possible.
688. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10088/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 in relation to the Conservation of Solitary Bees (Sand) action. Department officials have examined and resolved this issue and the application is now being further processed for the 2016 payment.
689. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a GLAS payment or SPS payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10089/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application to my Department under the ‘new entrant’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. A letter issued to the person named in November 2015 informing her of the requirement to have commenced a recognised agricultural education course at FETAC Level 6 or equivalent by the end of 2015. My Department has since been informed by the education course provider that the person named has not commenced a recognised education course. In the circumstance the person named has not complied with the Terms and Conditions of the National Reserve and as a result payment under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme has been withheld.
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 presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are examining the case further.
