Michael Ring
Ceist:1230. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1230)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 in respect of commonage action. Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1231)
Michael Ring
Ceist:1231. 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 issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015.
The application has now passed the prepayment checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year and payment will issue shortly.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the application will be further processed in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
Basic Payment Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (1232)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1232. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide support to a person (details supplied) in County Galway to assist them make an online 2017 basic payment scheme application; if departmental officials that are proficient in Irish will be visiting locations in this area, which is in the Gaeltacht, shortly to assist with the online application; when these visits are likely to occur in view of the fact the closing date for BPS applications is 15 May 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department currently has a range of supports in place to assist applicants for the Basic Payment Scheme to apply online. This is in light of the fact that, under EU Regulations, all applications are required to be online from 2018. Officials from my Department have been holding clinics in a number of locations around the country to provide one-to-one assistance to farmers in making their applications online and to answer any queries regarding the application process individuals may have.
Officials in my Department were in Tuam, Co. Galway on the 24th of April, along with Ennis, Co. Clare on the 25th of April and Ballina, Co. Mayo on the 26th of April. Support is also available to applicants on completing an application online form by contacting the Department’s Direct Payments Helpdesk on lo-call 0761-064420. The Department also has produced a number of "how to" videos which are available on the Department’s YouTube channel online or on www.agfood.ie.
Staff in my Department’s offices in the Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois are also available Monday to Friday, from 9.30 to 5.30, to provide assistance to applicants who call into the office. Staff will also be available to meet with farmers at our offices in Farnham Street, Cavan and Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim on a number of dates in advance of the BPS closing date of the 15th of May.
While officials proficient in Irish were not in attendance at the clinics held, there are officials in my Department who can address any queries through Irish. With this in mind, an official from my Department will contact the person named directly with a view to ascertaining what support may be required.
Basic Payment Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (1233)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide support to a person (details supplied) in County Galway to assist them make an online 2017 basic payment scheme application; if departmental officials that are proficient in Irish will be visiting locations in this area, which is in the Gaeltacht, shortly to assist with the online application; when these visits are likely to occur in view of the fact the closing date for BPS applications is 15 May 2017. [20525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department currently has a range of supports in place to assist applicants for the Basic Payment Scheme to apply online. This is in light of the fact that, under EU Regulations, all applications are required to be online from 2018. Officials from my Department have been holding clinics in a number of locations around the country to provide one-to-one assistance to farmers in making their applications online and to answer any queries regarding the application process individuals may have.
Officials in my Department were in Tuam, Co. Galway on the 24th of April, along with Ennis, Co. Clare on the 25th of April and Ballina, Co. Mayo on the 26th of April. Support is also available to applicants on completing an application online form by contacting the Department’s Direct Payments Helpdesk on lo-call 0761-064420. The Department also has produced a number of "how to" videos which are available on the Department’s YouTube channel online or on www.agfood.ie.
Staff in my Department’s offices in the Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois are also available Monday to Friday, from 9.30 to 5.30, to provide assistance to applicants who call into the office. Staff will also be available to meet with farmers at our offices in Farnham Street, Cavan and Derryhallagh, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim on a number of dates in advance of the BPS closing date of the 15th of May.
While officials proficient in Irish were not in attendance at the clinics held, there are officials in my Department who can address any queries through Irish. With this in mind, an official from my Department will contact the person named directly with a view to ascertaining what support may be required.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1234)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1234. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be issued outstanding payments under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015
The application has now passed the pre payment checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year and payment will issue shortly.
Following the issue of payment in respect of the 2015 scheme year, the application will be processed in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (1235)
John McGuinness
Ceist:1235. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an appeal lodged by a person (details supplied) relative to a REPS payment which was acknowledged on 5 August 2016 will be expedited and approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20562/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that the above named sought a review of the Appeals Officers decision 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 a detailed assessment of the case to be reviewed. Currently there are a considerable number of requests for reviews being dealt with by the Director. Every effort is being made to finalise the review as a matter of urgency.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (1236)
John McGuinness
Ceist:1236. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 469 of 28 March 2017, if he will check his Department's records, in view of the fact no contact has been made with the person (details supplied) and the matter raised is far from resolved; if he will also request Bord Bia to respond to the person in view of the fact this agency has not engaged with them either; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is currently in direct contact with the person concerned with a view to exploring the best options for facilitating his request.
I can also confirm that Bord Bia have been in contact with the person concerned.
My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including people with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services.
In accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, my Department has appointed two Access Officers who are responsible for providing or arranging for, and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by offices and generally to act as a point of contact for people wishing to access such services.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1237)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1237. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2016 GLAS 2 scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
The person named has commonage land and my Department put in place a process last October requiring all farmers on the GLAS commonage data base to sign an Interim Commonage Management Plan to allow commonage payments to proceed.
However at the time these forms issued the person named was not included in the GLAS commonage database and therefore did not receive the required documentation. My officials have now contacted the GLAS commonage advisor in this case to have the necessary form signed and when this is returned the application will be processed for payment.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1238)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1238. 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. [20571/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department received an application for the person named, for the third Tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) and this application has been approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.
The first payment due to GLAS 3 participants is in respect of the 2017 scheme year and processing of such payments will commence towards the end of the year.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (1239)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1239. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason moneys are being withheld from a person (details supplied) in respect of the rural environment protection scheme and the milk supply reduction scheme. [20572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned joined REPS 3 on 1 November 2004. The application was subject to an on-farm inspection on 7 April 2008, resulting in a finding that there was a mixing of herds between the person concerned and a third party. The REPS 3 Terms and Conditions state that individual holdings must be farmed under separate management and the person concerned was advised that the plan would be terminated and that monies paid would have to be recouped. The matter was examined by the Agriculture Appeals Office and he was informed of the decision of that Office by letter dated 8 October 2010. Further clarification was issued by the Regional Inspector by letter dated 2 November 2010 on foot of the Appeals Office decision. In respect of the milk supply reduction scheme, payments were processed on the week ending 21 April 2017.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1240)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1240. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20574/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
There was an issue with the delivery of the Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) action. This has now been reviewed and the application has now passed the pre approval checks for the first instalment of the 2016 scheme year payment and is being further processed for payment.
GLAS Payments
Ceisteanna (1241)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1241. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20576/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of the 1 January 2016.
The application has now passed all the required checks and has been sent for payment.
GLAS Applications
Ceisteanna (1242)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1242. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS application by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application for the third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3). During the initial checks an issue presented requiring further investigation. This work has now been completed and the application has passed all pre approval checks. The application will now move to the final part of the process for selection and approval into the scheme and the person named will be notified of the outcome in writing shortly.
Agricultural Colleges Courses
Ceisteanna (1243)
John McGuinness
Ceist:1243. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he will put in place to assist a person (details supplied) complete courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive requires all Professional Users (i.e. anybody who applies/sprays products authorised for professional use) to be appropriately trained. The Department has recognised relevant courses provided by training providers accredited by QQI, City and Guilds and Lantra as being appropriate training for the purposes of registration as a Professional User. Details of these training providers are available on the Department website at http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/sud/professionaluserssprayeroperators/training/.
As part of the quality assurance accreditation of every training provider by the relevant awarding body, there is an undertaking to make skills/competency-based courses accessible to all.
Previously, officials in my Department have been in contact with a number of training providers in relation to this issue and they indicated that they have frequently provide training to people who require support to get the necessary qualifications. They all indicated that, in cases such as this, the necessary supports would be put in place following consultation and agreement with the individual concerned. In this instance, the person concerned was provided with contact details of accredited training providers who indicated that they would be willing to facilitate the required training. The person concerned should contact the accredited training providers to agree what supports are required. If there is any difficulty in this regard the person concerned should either contact the relevant awarding body or officials in my Department again.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (1244)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:1244. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the agri-environment options scheme 3 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. This work is on-going and payments in respect of cleared cases are issuing on a weekly basis.
Single Payment Scheme Appeals
Ceisteanna (1245)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:1245. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a 2014 appeal by a person (details supplied) under the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20605/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application in respect of the 2013 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) was received from the person named on 30 April 2013. During processing, over claims were identified on six of the parcels declared. The area over-claimed was 2.26Ha. This was more than 3% of the area determined (73.76Ha) and was greater than 2 hectares. Therefore, in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the SPS a penalty was applied.
The person named availed of his right to appeal. A review was carried out and while the determined area increased to 74 ha, the area over-claimed was 2.02 Ha and a penalty continued to apply. As payment had issued in respect of an area of 73.76, supplementary payments were made to reflect the increase in determined area to 74 hectares.
My Department will undertake a complete review of the 2013 and 2014 BPS applications of the above named and he will be informed of the outcome in the near future.
Basic Payment Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (1246)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:1246. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason documentation in relation to a person (details supplied) has not been released by his Department, in view of the fact it was originally requested in January 2017 for the purpose of an appeal to his Department's appeals office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has recently undertaken a complete review of the 2015 Basic Payment application of the above named, taking into account recently submitted documentation. It has been decided to delete without penalty the dual claimed parcel which caused the reduction in payment.
Any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days. An official from my Department will write to the above named to confirm this and will enclose all relevant documentation.
School Milk Scheme
Ceisteanna (1247)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1247. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided for the EU school milk scheme in terms of EU financing and Irish funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20825/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested regarding the EU School Milk Scheme is in the table.
The structure of EU and National funding differ in that EU funding in allocated on a school year basis and Exchequer funding is on a calendar year basis.
|
- |
2015/2016 (Actual) € |
2016/2017 (Budget) € |
2017/2018* (Budget) € |
|
EU funding |
352,092 |
468,000 |
900,398 |
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Exchequer funding |
188,946 |
252,000 |
252,000 |
*The EU funding available for 2017/2018 has increased significantly as the EU has abolished the principle of co-financing.
The number of schools in receipt of the EU school milk scheme
|
School Type |
2015/16 |
2014/15 |
2013/14 |
2012/13 |
2011/12 |
|
Montessori |
11 |
20 |
98 |
95 |
103 |
|
National |
693 |
782 |
845 |
855 |
862 |
|
Secondary |
54 |
69 |
78 |
84 |
81 |
|
Special |
24 |
28 |
40 |
43 |
44 |
|
Total |
782 |
899 |
1061 |
1077 |
1090 |
The number of students that received an allocation from the EU school milk scheme for each of the past five years
|
School Type |
2015/16 |
2014/15 |
2013/14 |
2012/13 |
2011/12 |
|
Montessori |
596 |
1062 |
4707 |
4711 |
5405 |
|
Primary |
37702 |
41573 |
40723 |
41979 |
45006 |
|
Secondary |
2940 |
3670 |
3786 |
4129 |
4210 |
|
Special |
1306 |
1486 |
1944 |
2118 |
2276 |