Written Answers Nos. 1195-1211
1195. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated impact of a hard Brexit on the forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully recognise the potential difficulties that the forestry sector could face in the event of a hard Brexit, given the sector's reliance on the UK market. Its particular exposure to the UK market is exemplified by the fact that almost 80% of wood-based panel exports and 70% of sawn timber exports go to the UK. I am also aware of the anticipated increase in the volume of roundwood supply over the next two decades, from a current annual production of almost 4 million cubic metres to 8 million by 2035. Most of this increase is expected to come from private forestry owners, and the current expectations are that the vast majority of the timber is destined for the UK market.
I can confirm that the Government remains focused on supporting the forestry sector through the challenges that lie ahead, including those related to competitiveness, potentially increased competition and reduced demand from the UK market.
I and my Department, together with our agencies and stakeholders, are continuing to examine those areas, including forestry, in which the greatest risks may arise from Brexit, and on which we will need to focus when the negotiations begin. In the meantime, we continue to progress our analysis of the likely implications of Brexit, to increase our engagement with Member States and EU institutions, and to further our consultations with stakeholders. In the latter regard, the forestry sector was represented at the most recent All-Island Sectoral dialogue that I hosted in February, and continues to participate in my Department's Stakeholder Consultative Committee, which met most recently on 11 April.
I can assure you that all of the Department’s ongoing activities will continue to be informed by the need to secure the best possible outcome for the Irish agri-food sector. Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU from the Brexit negotiations.
1196. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated impact of a hard Brexit on the fisheries sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19893/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.
In theory, the UK could indeed seek to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others. However, that could only happen if the UK were content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.
Any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota shares at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be, be resisted strenuously.
Earlier this year, I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector as whole. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that a 'hard' Brexit presents for our fishing communities.
I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
I am continuing to work closely with my European colleagues to ensure that fisheries remain a top priority in the negotiations to come. Protecting existing shares is a top priority for the fishing Member States.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
1197. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proportion of the total number of greyhounds that tested positive for prohibited substances, from 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, that are recorded by Bord na gCon-Irish Greyhound Board as having no case to answer; and the circumstances that would lead to a positive test result but a finding of no case to answer. [19915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and development of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Act 1958.
The issue to which the Deputy refers is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.
BnG have provided the following statistics on proportions of positive samples and of cases determined to have no case to answer.
|
Year |
Samples received to NGL |
Positive samples |
% of Total |
Determined no case to answer |
% of Total |
|
2013 |
6,356 |
51 |
0.8 |
4 |
0.06 |
|
2014 |
5,898 |
31 |
0.5 |
10 |
0.17 |
|
2015 |
5,074 |
79 |
1.6 |
23 |
0.45 |
|
2016 |
5,383 |
48 |
0.9 |
2 |
0.04 |
|
2017 |
1,521 |
5 |
0.3 |
0 |
0.00 |
Regarding the reasons why positive samples end up as cases with no case to answer I refer the Deputy to the BnG website. Control Committee Publications relating to positive samples from October 1st 2015 are available at http://www.igb.ie/Resource/reports-and-statistics/control-committee/ with individual detail.
1198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average waiting time for the processing of herd number applications; if his Department has a statutory timeframe for the processing of these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe length of time required to process an individual application is contingent on a number of factors such as the timely response of the applicant in providing the required documentation and proof that the applicant is entitled to use the lands that are the subject of the herd number application. Under normal circumstances, the average waiting period from the time of receipt of the application to the allocation of a herd number is approximately three weeks.
1199. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) will receive a GLAS 1 payment; the reason for the delay in making the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015.
During the 2015 prepayment checking process an issue was identified in relation to a cross check with National Parks and Wildlife Service schemes. Department officials have now resolved this issue and the application will now be further processed for the 2015 payment.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the application will be processed in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
1200. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS 1 payment; the reason for the delay in making the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a GLAS 1 application which was unsuccessful and subsequently appealed to the Agriculture Appeals Office where the appeal was allowed.
The application will be further processed as soon as possible.
1201. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS 1 payment; the reason for the delay in making the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20030/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a GLAS 1 application which was unsuccessful and accordingly the question of payment does not arise.
Records in my Department show that an application on behalf of the person named was also submitted under GLAS 3 and has been approved. GLAS 3 payments are due to commence towards the end of 2017.
1202. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet a group (details supplied) from County Donegal. [20035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGreencastle Harbour is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its development and ongoing maintenance rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.
My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
Donegal County Council has successfully secured the maximum funding allocation allowable of €112,500 under the 2017 Programme for development works at Greencastle Harbour.
Given the ownership structure as clarified above, the group referred to would be best served to meet with Donegal County Council and its parent Department.
1203. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of funding for the pier at Leenan, County Donegal in order that the pier can be extended; and if his attention has been drawn to the real threat to the future of the local fishing industry if these works are not carried out. [20036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLeenan Pier is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance, repair and development rests with Donegal County Council in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government thereafter.
My Department does however provide limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority-owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. I have allocated €2.8m for these purposes under this year's Programme.
On 3rd February, initial applications under the Programme were invited from all coastal Local Authorities. Our records indicate that my Department did not receive a funding application under the 2017 Programme for Leenan Pier. Should a future application be submitted by Donegal County Council in relation to this pier, it will be given due consideration.
1204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the areas of natural constraint scheme review; the steps he will take to protect farm incomes in peripheral counties such as County Kerry; if other information is available on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Rural Development Regulation each Member State must designate areas eligible for payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. The ANC scheme replaces the previous Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Less Favoured Areas Scheme. The designation of eligible areas under these schemes to date has been based on a range of socio-economic factors. Under the new Rural Development Regulation, eligible areas must instead be designated using a set list of bio-physical criteria. In cases where a Member State does not introduce this new system for payment, the old scheme remains in place but payments must phase out on a digressive basis.
The biophysical criteria set out in the legislation to underpin the new system of designation are:
- Low temperature
- Dryness
- Excess soil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope.
My Department has commenced work on this project, and relevant technical experts are currently working on sourcing and analysing the data in relation to the new criteria. Department officials have also been in contact with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG Agri in the EU Commission in relation to technical issues arising. This analysis will identify areas deemed to be facing natural constraints, which will in parallel be subjected to a refinement process. It is envisaged that stakeholders will be consulted as this process develops.
1205. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the numbers of persons awaiting GLAS payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20107/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 3099 cases, of which 2175 are GLAS 1 and 924 are GLAS 2, have not yet been sent for payment. Files continue to be processed and are sent for payment on a weekly basis as issues are cleared and regulatory checks are passed.
1206. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 who have received 85% of their total 2016 payment, by county, in tabular form; the number of persons who have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of persons in receipt of GLAS who have yet to receive payment, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20119/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular form.
|
- |
GLAS 1 |
- |
GLAS 2 |
- |
- |
|
|
County Name |
Number Sent for Payment |
Number with PPV Pass |
Unpaid |
Number Sent for Payment |
Number with PPV Pass |
Unpaid |
|
Carlow |
256 |
0 |
23 |
118 |
0 |
10 |
|
Cavan |
857 |
0 |
53 |
416 |
0 |
16 |
|
Clare |
1,511 |
0 |
106 |
653 |
1 |
37 |
|
Cork |
1,961 |
2 |
206 |
927 |
1 |
86 |
|
Donegal |
1,808 |
7 |
138 |
933 |
8 |
70 |
|
Dublin |
54 |
0 |
9 |
15 |
0 |
2 |
|
Galway |
2,783 |
7 |
310 |
1,176 |
7 |
130 |
|
Kerry |
1,654 |
0 |
125 |
814 |
1 |
62 |
|
Kildare |
225 |
1 |
24 |
73 |
1 |
8 |
|
Kilkenny |
398 |
0 |
35 |
188 |
0 |
24 |
|
Laois |
341 |
0 |
30 |
181 |
0 |
16 |
|
Leitrim |
944 |
6 |
74 |
392 |
3 |
25 |
|
Limerick |
963 |
5 |
87 |
283 |
0 |
19 |
|
Longford |
481 |
0 |
36 |
332 |
0 |
17 |
|
Louth |
126 |
0 |
22 |
74 |
0 |
6 |
|
Mayo |
2,326 |
4 |
236 |
1,159 |
8 |
166 |
|
Meath |
384 |
0 |
43 |
177 |
3 |
24 |
|
Monaghan |
539 |
0 |
39 |
135 |
1 |
10 |
|
Offaly |
442 |
0 |
34 |
254 |
0 |
26 |
|
Roscommon |
1,426 |
4 |
105 |
522 |
1 |
31 |
|
Sligo |
891 |
1 |
56 |
349 |
0 |
20 |
|
Tipperary |
1,027 |
1 |
111 |
464 |
1 |
48 |
|
Waterford |
306 |
0 |
58 |
113 |
1 |
18 |
|
Westmeath |
600 |
1 |
51 |
249 |
0 |
15 |
|
Wexford |
649 |
2 |
124 |
239 |
7 |
24 |
|
Wicklow |
290 |
2 |
40 |
137 |
4 |
14 |
|
- |
23,242 |
43 |
2,175 |
10,373 |
48 |
924 |
1207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20125/17]
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 related to an error on 2016 Basic Payment Scheme application. When this issue is resolved the GLAS application for the 2016 payment will be further processed.
1208. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) is not receiving the higher rate of GLAS for special areas of conservation ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20126/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full in respect of the 2015 scheme year. The 85% payment for 2016 has also been processed and payment has issued to the person named.
The only action selected in the application is commonage which attracts a payment rate of €120 per Hectare up to the overall scheme ceiling of €5,000 which the person named is eligible for. There is no record of privately owned SAC ground on the holding.
1209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an agri-environment options scheme payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final AEOS payment has been made in this case.
The 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. These checks are now completed and payment in respect of the 2016 Scheme year issued in two parts 85% on 7 April 2017 and the remaining 15% on 14 April 2017.
1210. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an agri-environment options scheme payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final payment has already been made in this case.
The 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 could be processed. These checks have been completed and payment in respect of the 2016 Scheme year issued in two parts, 85% on 30 March 2017 and the remaining 15% on 31 March 2017.
1211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20136/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full 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.
