Written Answers Nos. 272 - 294
272. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to secure the future of Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium in Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10837/17]
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 has informed me that it plans to operate Kilcohan Greyhound Stadium under the race schedule that has been in place for the past number of years.
273. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide for the inclusion of a representative of an organisation (details supplied) to the EU monitoring committee for the rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10839/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe request by the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association for membership of the Monitoring Committee for Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 – 2020 is currently under consideration.
274. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide for the inclusion of a representative of an organisation (details supplied) to the charter of rights committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Farmers’ Charter Review Group was set up in 2014 with a view to agreeing a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights. The Farmers’ Charter Review Group was chaired by an Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and comprised of senior Department officials and representatives of farming organisations. Following on from positive engagement by all parties, negotiations between my Department and farming organisations on a new Farmers’ Charter of Rights concluded on Thursday 11 June 2015 with consensus achieved on the Charter.
Subsequently a Farmers' Charter of Rights Monitoring Committee was established to monitor agreed targets and standards. This Monitoring Committee comprises representatives of farming organisations, staff of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and an independent chair. While my Department is satisfied that the committee is meeting its objective with the current composition of the Committee, the question of extending the representation on the Committee is currently under consideration.
275. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will respond to correspondence from the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the addition of a representative of an organisation (details supplied) to certain farming representational committees under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10841/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received correspondence from the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other correspondence regarding the addition of a representative of the organisation named to certain representational committees under the remit of my Department. This correspondence is currently under consideration and replies will issue in due course.
276. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to amendments to the legislation governing bookmakers on course to allow that all staff for the bookmaker in question be licensed, provided that at least one person on course has a licence, rather than requiring all staff to obtain a licence, including a lengthy and arduous process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason bookmakers on course are required to have a licence for each member of staff on course, as distinct from bookmaking shops such as chain outlets, which are only required to have a single licence for the entire shop and all the staff therein, even when located on course. [10859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
I have made enquiries with Horse racing Ireland (HRI) and I have been informed that the current legislative provisions require that any person carrying on the business of a bookmaker at a racecourse must be the holder of both a State Betting Licence issued by the Revenue Commissioners and either a Course Betting Permit or Course Betting Representative Permit issued by HRI.
Staff working for any such bookmaker are not required to obtain a licence once the permit holder is present.
I have no plans at this time to amend legislation governing bookmakers and betting in the Irish Horseracing Act, 1994.
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) [10942/17]
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 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.
279. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on a piece of equipment called maldi-TOF in the regional veterinary laboratory at Backweston facility; when this piece of equipment was purchased; if it is in daily use; the number of samples tested on it on a daily basis; if full time staff are working on the instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an open tender process, conducted on behalf of my Department by the Education Procurement Service, under the auspices of the OGP, a Maldi-TOF instrument was purchased from Cruinn Diagnostics Ltd at a cost of €229,900 plus 23% VAT in November 2015. This is inclusive of a five year service contract ( 20/11/2015 – 20/11/2020). The instrument was installed and commissioned in early 2016.
The Maldi-TOF was purchased to provide rapid, low-cost typing of bacterial isolates; it is primarily used by staff based in Bacteriology Division at Backweston. As the initial priority was using the instrument in support of typing isolates from regulatory programmes the focus was directed towards having the technology validated and accredited for this purpose. It is hoped that accreditation of the method will be achieved during the accreditation assessment scheduled for the coming months.
A number of staff have been trained and use this instrument routinely for typing Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli and mastitis pathogens as well as isolates from some other diagnostic submissions. It is not used daily as samples are batched for processing. Over 3,500 samples were processed during 2016.
A research assistant is currently being recruited to help further application of the Maldi-TOF in processing isolates from pathological material sourced from regional laboratories. This is expected to advance rapidly in the coming months.
280. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to any perceived problem at the Dublin regional veterinary post mortem facility at Backweston; if so, the costs spent to remedy it; his plans to remedy same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10945/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will begin operating a High Containment Laboratory in May 2017. The Laboratory will operate to the highest attainable international standard. In keeping with best international practice in the operation of such facilities the Department will control access to the Backweston site. In addition and to avoid any perception of risk for persons who have daily contact with farmed animals, alternative arrangements are being considered for farmers who wish to submit carcases of farmed animals for post mortem examination at Backweston. The simplest and most cost effective option will be to provide a drop off point at an adjacent premises owned and operated by the Department. However consideration is also being given to the possibility of establishing a carcase collection point at a location further afield as this would have the added advantage of providing greater ease of access to the diagnostic service and encouraging further voluntary submissions for surveillance purposes.
281. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal from a group (details supplied) regarding the appointment of a planner to the commonage; when he expects the appeal to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Commonage Advisor was assigned to prepare Commonage Management Plans for these two commonages in Donegal. A second advisor had also applied and was unsuccessful and appealed against the decision of the Department. Both advisors were notified in writing on 13 January 2017 that the matter has been referred to the Independent Commonage Implementation Committee for consideration. The recommendation of the Committee is expected to issue in the coming weeks.
282. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal under the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10951/17]
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 in relation to the Commonage action 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 2015 balancing 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.
283. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of an appeal lodged on 23 August 2011 by a person (details supplied); if their request of 2 August 2016 to have their appeal re-examined will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10952/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that the person named lodged an appeal in relation to the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. A decision letter was issued on 2 February 2012 by an Appeals Officer to the person named notifying him of the outcome of the appeal. A request for a review of the appeal decision by the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office was received from the person named in August 2016. Under the Act only the Director may perform such reviews which must be undertaken in full compliance with the legal requirements and following an assessment of the case to be reviewed. Currently there is a considerable number of requests for reviews being dealt with by the Director. Every effort is being made to finalise the review requested by the person named as a matter of urgency.
284. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the support services available to persons that cannot read or write; if information on schemes and courses organised nationally or with the support of the EU are promoted in a way that ensures universal access; if his Department has provided training to members of the agricultural consultants association to enable them to assist persons with learning difficulties; the instructions issued to agricultural advisers and agencies regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10953/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for delivering a wide range of schemes and services to its many customers. Many of these schemes are, by their very nature, complex. In order to provide the best possible customer service it is important to ensure that participants in these schemes have a good understanding of their terms and conditions. To this end, my Department endeavours to ensure that the language used in application forms, supporting documentation and information campaigns is clear, concise and accurate and only necessary detail is provided and requested.
My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers are met and that rights to equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services. However, it is also conscious that some of its customers may have literacy difficulties and cannot easily access, understand and/or use information on the Department's schemes and services. In this regard, my Department has a number of measures in place including a "BrowseAloud" facility on its website which reads web pages aloud for people with literacy and/or visual impairments.
In accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act, two Access Officers have been assigned to ensure, when requested, that material can be provided in a format more suitable to individual circumstances.
Bearing in mind the need to communicate clearly in both written and verbal communications, my Department also provides step by step guidelines, user friendly explanatory manuals, question and answer sheets and working examples for most schemes, as well as telephone help lines to deal with queries.
In addition to the above and as part of its quality customer service, my Department has put in place a Farmers Charter which among other things is intended to provide information in relation to the delivery of services and implementation of schemes in a clear, simple and easily understood format.
285. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of outstanding GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 payments to be paid in County Kerry and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10971/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Scheme |
Numbers of active applications for Kerry |
Number of applications not paid for Kerry |
Numbers of active applications nationally |
Number of applications not paid nationally |
|
GLAS 1 |
1,794 |
269 |
25,825 |
4,094 |
|
GLAS 2 |
894 |
168 |
11,668 |
2,140 |
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 be completed before any payment can issue.
Work on processing cases which did not pass the required pre-payment checks, is on-going with a view to effecting payment as quickly as possible.
286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the organic farming scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was selected for an on-farm inspection, the report of which had to be finalised before payment could be processed. I understand that this has now been done and that the person named is being included in the next payment run.
287. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy set out in the following table.
|
County |
GLAS 1 |
GLAS 1 |
GLAS 1 |
GLAS 1 |
GLAS 2 |
GLAS 2 |
GLAS 2 |
GLAS 2 |
|
|
Number of |
Number sent |
Number |
Number |
Number of |
Number sent |
Number |
Number |
|
|
Active Applicants |
for payment |
PPV Pass |
Unpaid |
Active Applicants |
for payment |
PPV Pass |
Unpaid |
|
Carlow |
283 |
224 |
1 |
58 |
131 |
111 |
0 |
20 |
|
Cavan |
916 |
802 |
5 |
109 |
448 |
384 |
6 |
58 |
|
Clare |
1,631 |
1,435 |
6 |
190 |
703 |
614 |
5 |
84 |
|
Cork |
2,225 |
1,812 |
16 |
397 |
1,069 |
849 |
8 |
212 |
|
Donegal |
1,978 |
1,649 |
8 |
321 |
1,024 |
802 |
7 |
215 |
|
Dublin |
65 |
50 |
0 |
15 |
17 |
14 |
0 |
3 |
|
Galway |
3,144 |
2,510 |
36 |
598 |
1,351 |
1,023 |
26 |
302 |
|
Kerry |
1,794 |
1,510 |
15 |
269 |
894 |
714 |
12 |
168 |
|
Kildare |
256 |
206 |
3 |
47 |
86 |
62 |
0 |
24 |
|
Kilkenny |
445 |
367 |
5 |
73 |
216 |
178 |
1 |
37 |
|
Laois |
375 |
309 |
3 |
63 |
207 |
170 |
2 |
35 |
|
Leitrim |
1,035 |
892 |
14 |
129 |
429 |
365 |
7 |
57 |
|
Limerick |
1,065 |
898 |
7 |
160 |
313 |
273 |
1 |
39 |
|
Longford |
519 |
456 |
6 |
57 |
360 |
316 |
4 |
40 |
|
Louth |
150 |
120 |
0 |
30 |
82 |
71 |
1 |
10 |
|
Mayo |
2,610 |
2,119 |
36 |
455 |
1,365 |
1,010 |
19 |
336 |
|
Meath |
442 |
361 |
3 |
78 |
211 |
171 |
0 |
40 |
|
Monaghan |
585 |
504 |
5 |
76 |
152 |
130 |
0 |
22 |
|
Offaly |
485 |
418 |
0 |
67 |
292 |
244 |
2 |
46 |
|
Roscommon |
1,551 |
1,330 |
17 |
204 |
566 |
494 |
4 |
68 |
|
Sligo |
958 |
840 |
14 |
104 |
372 |
319 |
14 |
39 |
|
Tipperary |
1,162 |
957 |
6 |
199 |
533 |
421 |
2 |
110 |
|
Waterford |
367 |
283 |
5 |
79 |
136 |
99 |
0 |
37 |
|
Westmeath |
657 |
566 |
4 |
87 |
279 |
237 |
0 |
42 |
|
Wexford |
792 |
623 |
4 |
165 |
272 |
225 |
2 |
45 |
|
Wicklow |
335 |
270 |
1 |
64 |
160 |
108 |
1 |
51 |
|
|
25,825 |
21,511 |
220 |
4,094 |
11,668 |
9,404 |
124 |
2,140 |
288. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons that applied for agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, that have received their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of AEOS recipients that have yet to receive payment, by county [11042/17]
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. All cleared cases are being paid on a weekly basis.
|
County |
Totals |
Paid |
Awaiting Payment |
|
Carlow |
49 |
40 |
9 |
|
Cavan |
244 |
198 |
46 |
|
Clare |
556 |
466 |
90 |
|
Cork |
428 |
321 |
107 |
|
Donegal |
1360 |
1106 |
254 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
9 |
0 |
|
Galway |
1245 |
1004 |
241 |
|
Kerry |
568 |
457 |
111 |
|
Kildare |
39 |
29 |
10 |
|
Kilkenny |
109 |
79 |
30 |
|
Laois |
80 |
54 |
26 |
|
Leitrim |
430 |
363 |
67 |
|
Limerick |
224 |
145 |
79 |
|
Longford |
89 |
58 |
31 |
|
Louth |
41 |
28 |
13 |
|
Mayo |
1399 |
998 |
401 |
|
Meath |
83 |
55 |
28 |
|
Monaghan |
151 |
93 |
58 |
|
Offaly |
110 |
79 |
31 |
|
Roscommon |
478 |
359 |
119 |
|
Sligo |
335 |
246 |
89 |
|
Tipperary |
245 |
148 |
97 |
|
Waterford |
82 |
59 |
23 |
|
Westmeath |
122 |
78 |
44 |
|
Wexford |
84 |
47 |
37 |
|
Wicklow |
80 |
56 |
24 |
|
Totals |
8,640 |
6,575 |
2,065 |
289. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that joined the first and second tranche of the green low carbon agri environment scheme that are eligible for GLAS plus payments; the estimated average payment that will be due to each eligible person for GLAS plus payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11043/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not currently available. To establish eligibility for GLAS+, actions included in all applications must first be verified and this occurs following the calculation of the basic scheme payment for each application each year.
The current priority is the processing of outstanding basic scheme payments to which my Department has committed all available resources, after which 2016 GLAS+ entitlement will be established and payment processed.
290. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken with relevant US authorities since it was reported that a product (details supplied) has been withdrawn from retail outlets in Wisconsin; the direct contact that has been made with relevant authorities to ensure this product is available for consumers to purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of this issue which relates to the implementation of local laws in the state of Wisconsin. Officials in my Department, including our Agricultural Attaché at the Irish Embassy in Washington, have kept in close contact with the company concerned to try and facilitate a solution and I understand that a solution to the problem is now close to finalisation. Once the technical steps are complete it should see the resumption of the sale of the product concerned again.
291. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure for total payments under the 2016 basic payment scheme, including the greening payment, according to BPS payment values (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date the expenditure for total payments under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme including Greening is €1.179 bn. Please see the following table as requested.
|
Range |
Total Herdowners Paid |
|
Between 0 and 5000 |
53341 |
|
Between 5001 and 10000 |
32677 |
|
Between 10001 and 20000 |
24117 |
|
Between 20001 and 30000 |
7690 |
|
Between 30001 and 40000 |
2827 |
|
Between 40001 and 50000 |
1251 |
|
Between 50001 and 60000 |
600 |
|
Between 60001 and 70000 |
346 |
|
Between 70001 and 80000 |
197 |
|
Between 80001 and 90000 |
135 |
|
Between 90001 and 100000 |
93 |
|
Between 100001 and 110000 |
50 |
|
Between 110001 and 120000 |
31 |
|
Between 120001 and 130000 |
26 |
|
Between 130001 and 140000 |
19 |
|
Between 140001 and 150000 |
17 |
|
>150000 |
37 |
292. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount in volume and value terms of total beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; the specific increase in volume and value terms that was secured during the current trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11046/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount in volume and value terms of total manufacturing beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016; the specific details in volume and value terms secured during the current trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
Central Statistics Office figures show the following data regarding beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016. These beef exports were restricted to intact cuts only and no manufacturing or processed beef was exported as access had not been secured for them before this week.
|
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
€ 000 |
3405 |
518 |
|
Tonnes |
1134 |
197 |
This week as part of my trade mission to Saudi Arabia, I secured agreement from the Saudi authorities to enhance Irish beef access to now include processed, cooked, minced and bone-in beef to the range of beef products that can be exported from Ireland to Saudi Arabia. This trade had been previously confined to boneless intact cuts of beef. Part of the arrangement agreed this week in Saudi Arabia is also to have a more straightforward way of having plants approved to export to Saudi Arabia whereby they can be listed for export on the approval by DAFM and our subsequent recommendation to the Saudi authorities, should it be accepted.
It is not possible at this point to quantify exactly the effect on beef exports to Saudi Arabia but this week’s outcome is significant boost to Irish exporters by expanding the range of products which they may export. According to the OECD, beef and veal consumption in Saudi Arabia in 2015 was 176,000 tonnes and is forecast to increase thanks to rising populations, higher per capita consumption and rising consumer affluence.
Whilst we exported approximately 97% of our beef exports in 2016 to EU (including the UK), I am conscious of the importance of growing third country markets as a valuable outlet for any increased Irish beef production. Indeed, this is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Significant progress has been made in this context in recent years and my Department is currently in the process of attempting to secure beef access to a range of third countries including China, South Korea, Ukraine, Thailand and Vietnam. This builds on the opening of some major markets in the last two years including the US, Canada and Japan. This is a vital means of providing Ireland’s beef sector with as many commercial opportunities as possible for Irish beef in addition to our existing European markets.
294. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have applied to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020 to date, in each of the sectors of beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry, in tabular form; the number of persons in each sector that have officially notified his Department that they are withdrawing participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11048/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of applicants to Knowledge Transfer Groups is broken down between the sectors in the following table:
|
Total |
Beef |
Dairy |
Sheep |
Tillage |
Poultry |
Equine |
|
|
Number of Participants Applied |
20,252 |
10,072 |
4,258 |
4,310 |
885 |
248 |
479 |
To date approximately 30 withdrawals of individual farmers from the Knowledge Transfer Programme have been notified to my Department.
