Written Answers Nos. 550-571
550. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person in GLAS can lease on a long-term basis a portion of their holding that does not have GLAS actions associated with it without incurring penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS is not a whole farm scheme. Farmers in GLAS are required to retain those land parcels on which a GLAS commitment has been given for the full period of the contract. Where the farmer has additional parcels to those in GLAS he/she is free to lease out these parcels.
551. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address issues raised by a person (details supplied); if a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have been in correspondence with the individual named on previous occasions, and have also met with him to discuss the issues he has raised. I have also recently written directly to the individual named in relation to his case and advised that officials from my Department are available to meet with him to further discuss the matters raised, should this be required.
An official of my Department has been in further contact with the individual concerned, with a view to arranging such a meeting if required.
552. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the sale of a complex (details supplied) will be complete; the number of bidders involved at the various stages; the amount the complex has sold for; if this figure will be disclosed to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as sale transactions, are the responsibility of the company.
Coillte advise, however, that the exact timeline for the potential completion of the transaction relating to the Killykeen Holiday Complex is not known at this stage as the process is still on-going and that all parties will be informed accordingly when the process is completed. In relation to information on bidders and the amount for which the Complex will be sold, Coillte advise that these matters are commercially sensitive and are operational matters for Coillte, and that such information will not therefore be publicly disclosed.
553. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage that live animal exports represent of the overall market in agricultural exports for each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and the estimated value in euro of live animal exports for each of the years 2010 to 2016. [21787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statistics the Deputy is seeking are listed in the table below.
|
Exports €000 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Jan - Feb 2017 |
|
Value of exports of live animals (€) |
338,680 |
356,884 |
329,660 |
432,095 |
399,672 |
430,508 |
339,863 |
58,952 |
|
Value of live animal exports as a % of total agri-food exports |
3.8% |
3.7% |
3.3% |
4.1% |
3.5% |
3.6% |
2.8% |
3.1% |
(Source: CSO Agri-Food statistics)
554. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal under the national reserve scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme. The Terms and Conditions governing the operation of these schemes state that in order to qualify as a ‘young farmer’, a person must be setting up an agricultural holding for the first time in his/her name or have set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the BPS application. The applications were not successful as the applicant was deemed to have commenced farming more than five years before the submission of a BPS application. The applicant was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
My Department subsequently received an appeal from the person named in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme applications. This appeal was considered based on the information set out by the applicant and the original decision was upheld. The person named was notified of the outcome of the appeal and offered the opportunity to submit a further appeal to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
The Agriculture Appeals Office is currently dealing with National Reserve and Young Farmer Scheme appeals cases and I have been informed that they will be in direct contact with the person named shortly with a view to arranging a date for an oral hearing of his case.
555. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in respect of AEOS and single farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21910/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn AEOS 3 contract relating to the herd number quoted commenced on 1 May 2013. Payment issued in respect of the 2013-2015 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. Issues arose relating to the transfer of this contract to the person named. These issues have now been resolved and all checks successfully completed. Payment to the person named will issue within 10 working days.
Issues relating to the Basic Scheme Payment have also been resolved. That payment was processed on 3rd May 2017 and will issue to the applicant shortly.
556. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied). [21923/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department would not be in a position to comment on a matter relating to an individual member of staff. There are agreed processes and mechanisms available to all civil servants if they have concerns regarding their work and this is the appropriate way to deal with any individual's concerns. I have passed your correspondence to my Department's HR Division.
557. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not been in receipt of an ANC payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21924/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.
The Terms and Conditions of the ANC Scheme (and the predecessor schemes) set out that, under EU Regulation 21/2004, all flock owners’ and sheep keepers are obliged to count the sheep in their flock, record this number in the flock register and thereafter are legally obliged to return this number to my Department via the annual Sheep/Goat Census return. The closing date for the receipt of census returns for acceptance under the scheme was the closing date of the scheme each year.
Processing of the applications under 2014, 2015 and 2016 scheme years identified that the holding concerned had not satisfied the scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements as outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
Department records indicate no sheep census received from the person named since 2011. Accordingly, the eligibility criteria for payment have not been met.
558. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person's (details supplied) information was not reviewed correctly in regard to a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under Tranche 3 of GLAS and has been approved into the scheme 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 in the final quarter of the year.
559. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the request of a local authority regarding schemes which are under the aegis of his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGLAS, AEOS and TAMS are approved and co-funded by the European Union and specific EU regulatory requirements must be complied with in processing payments under the scheme. Failure to comply with these requirements would impact negatively on the funding available through disallowances being imposed on Ireland.
GLAS payments continue to issue with 92% of payments issued to date. With specific reference to Co. Monaghan fewer than 50 GLAS payments continue to be processed.
The TAMS II online payment claims system has been available for the submission of payment claims since July 2016. The online system is set up to be as user friendly as possible with a series of validations in place to prompt the user to submit the required documentation. The payment claims submitted are being processed on an ongoing basis.
In respect of AEOS 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 AEOS 2 Scheme, 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 for valid checked files are being and will continue to be released on a weekly basis.
A number of payments under all three schemes also continue to be held up due to incomplete documentation and all participants are reminded to respond to any correspondence and submit any outstanding documentation as soon as possible to facilitate payment.
560. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21973/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 2016 scheme year and the 85% payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued.
The remaining 15% due for 2016 will issue in due course.
561. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22019/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 further processed in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
562. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements which a person (details supplied) holds. [22028/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named held 6.26 entitlements under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme with a total value of €3,135.63. Following a land reduction under the 2015 Scheme year, the eligible land was reduced to 2.55 hectares. The Basic Payment Scheme entitlement was re-calculated to take into account the reduced area. In this regard, 2.55 entitlements was established with a total value of €3,086.23.
563. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a matter regarding an outstanding TAMS II payment; when a person (details supplied) will receive the payment; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that delays in TAMS payments are causing severe financial difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named have submitted a payment claim under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. The applicants made a payment over-claim. The Department is currently working on the processing of an over-claim. As soon as this is completed the payment will be finalised.
564. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of a transfer of entitlements will be carried out in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by lease as transferor.
An issue has arisen in relation to the value of the entitlements which were the subject of this lease. My Department is currently in the process of resolving the issue and the persons named will be notified in writing as soon as the matter is resolved.
565. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons awaiting GLAS payments; the percentage of the total number of persons this figure represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22114/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications continue to be processed to payment as set out in the tabular form below.
Of the 2,840 cases, my Department has written to 360 applicants who have failed to submit fully completed commonage forms. The Department has also written to 70 other applicants who have failed to return complete information on low emission slurry spreading. The Department has also been in contact with a further 500 applicants and is working through the remaining cases as quickly as possible.
|
Total in Scheme |
Total not sent for payment |
% not sent for payment |
|
|
GLAS 1 |
25460 |
1932 |
8% |
|
GLAS 2 |
11345 |
908 |
8% |
|
36,805 |
2,840 |
8% |
566. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that will be removed from GLAS status further to the review of the GLAS programme; when each person will be informed of the reason their status has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22115/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no on-going review of GLAS affecting the status of scheme participants.
All Member States are required to carry out comprehensive administrative checks on all applications for payment and on the spot checks are required on at least 5% of GLAS participants annually. The outcome of these checks may result in the imposition of a penalty for non compliance with the scheme conditions and in some instances may result in exclusion from the scheme. Any issues arising are dealt with on a case by case basis and a right of appeal is given.
In addition farmers are free to withdraw from the scheme thereby terminating their contract.
567. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the samples for testing for residues in milk in the Silvermines, County Tipperary, area are being sent to the UK in view of the fact it is causing a delay in getting results; if a facility here can carry out the testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to EU food hygiene regulations it is the responsibility of the food business operator (FBO) to ensure that food placed on the market is fit for human consumption. This includes the FBO’s obligation to test for undesirable substances, such as lead.
Where appropriate tests are commercially available for routine testing of food products it is the norm that the FBO would use a commercial laboratory, as has been done for the tests required in the Silvermines area. The laboratory chosen to conduct these tests is a commercial matter for the FBO in question. It is part of an international company that has laboratory sites in different countries, with specialised testing being rationalised to specific laboratories to maximise efficiencies. This is nowadays normal practice and guarantees service at a more competitive cost; overheads are high for analyses of this nature (the ability to detect lead at extremely low concentrations - where 20 parts per billion is the maximum permitted level in milk) due to the requirement for expensive instrumentation, specialised staff and tight quality control.
The role of my Department’s Laboratories is to test samples taken in the framework of official controls, surveys and investigations. In the current Silvermines investigation my Department has worked in partnership with the FBO in trying to solve this incident and my Department’s responsibility has been to test milk samples taken by my Department’s Dairy Controls & Certification officers and RVL staff. The purpose of the testing of these milk samples was to support actions such as restriction/derestriction of marketing of milk or to help progress the investigation. A customised and well-planned system of sampling, delivery and testing has been coordinated by my Department to allow quicker turnaround times for these official samples. My Department’s Laboratories are however not able to act as a public testing laboratory because of current testing capacity and mandate.
568. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of beef and dairy calf registrations in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of live exports of beef and dairy calves in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the way in which these exports compare to other years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22117/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures for beef and dairy calf registrations for 2014-2017 (to date), and the number of live exports of beef and dairy calves for 2007-2017 (to date) are as follows. These figures are also available on my Department's website.
|
Calf Birth Registration |
Calves born to a Beef Bull |
Calves born to a Dairy Bull |
|
2014 |
1,386,875 |
744,173 |
|
2015 |
1,501,101 |
762,666 |
|
2016 |
1,520,860 |
803,436 |
|
2017 (to date) |
941,560 |
649,726 |
|
Live Exports |
Beef Cattle* |
Dairy Cattle* |
||
|
|
0 - 6 weeks |
6 weeks – 6 months |
0 - 6 weeks |
6 weeks – 6 months |
|
2007 |
13,853 |
6,584 |
72,176 |
8,299 |
|
2008 |
6,992 |
2,526 |
49,682 |
5,777 |
|
2009 |
21,669 |
6,767 |
90,811 |
9,670 |
|
2010 |
24,615 |
5,321 |
122,699 |
11,050 |
|
2011 |
2,689 |
1,618 |
82,965 |
3,526 |
|
2012 |
999 |
1,282 |
35,134 |
2,404 |
|
2013 |
3,839 |
1,548 |
78,309 |
10,575 |
|
2014 |
1,643 |
1,725 |
91,058 |
10,469 |
|
2015 |
6,263 |
1,665 |
74,164 |
5,546 |
|
2016 |
5,946 |
2,506 |
58,674 |
7,898 |
|
2017 (to date) |
5,747 |
398 |
69,879 |
2,774 |
*Defined by the progeny of a beef/dairy breed
I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports.
The cattle export trade in 2017 is positive after two years of decline.
Live exports for 2017 are up 38% on 2016 levels.
Total exports for 2017 amount to 92,199 compared to 66,595 in 2016.
I recently reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal from €4.80, in order to bring greater equity in the fees payable per consignment in respect of calves, weanlings and adult cattle. The live calf export trade with the EU has proved difficult in recent years for a number of reasons, including changes in animal health rules in Belgium and changes in the interpretation of the EU rules on animal transport in the Netherlands. However, my Department has been working closely with the Dutch authorities on the transport issue and over 36,000 calves have been exported to the Netherlands in this year to date, 10,000 more than in the whole of 2016.
Last year saw significant developments in exports of cattle to third countries. We exported almost 20,000 head to Turkey in 2016 and two shipments of cattle have taken place to date this year, with indications that there will be further shipments this year. In relation to the other significant potential third country markets for live exports, Ireland reached agreement with Egypt in 2016 on a health certificate for slaughter cattle. My Department has been actively discussing with the Egyptian authorities the possibility of agreement on a health certificate for fattening cattle. Good progress has been made on this matter and I am optimistic that an agreement can be finalised in the near future.
My Department is also looking at the possibility of bilateral health certificates for the export of cattle to Kazakhstan and has identified Israel as a live export market of potential interest to exporters. Agreement on health certificates has been reached by my Department with all other live export markets identified as being of potential interest to Ireland. At present 9 non-EU markets (Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, Serbia, Tunisia, and most recently Turkey) are currently open to live cattle from Ireland, in addition to all EU Member States. Demand from North Africa and the Middle East for live cattle will depend on the political environment there as well as Ireland’s cost competitiveness.
I will continue to work to ensure that Irish meat and livestock producers have the option of exporting to markets abroad.
569. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a payment to a person (details supplied). [22145/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2016.
The Terms and Conditions of the scheme set out that, under EU Regulation 21/2004, all flock owners and sheep keepers are obliged to count the sheep in their flock, record this number in the flock register and thereafter are legally obliged to return this number to my Department via the annual Sheep/Goat Census return. The closing date for the receipt of Census Returns for acceptance under the ANC scheme was 16 May 2016.
Department records indicate the sheep census in this case was not received until 3 October 2016. The person named was notified of this finding on 8 February 2017 and advised of the option to seek a review of this decision including any supporting documentation they may consider relevant to the matter. Further correspondence from the person named was received on 14 March 2017, indicating a delay in sourcing supporting documentation. Officials in my Department are currently awaiting the submission of the documentation in order to finalise the application.
570. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions being made to enable a person to submit an eligible application under the young farmers scheme by 15 May 2017 when it is not possible for this person to have the green certificate course completed before 20 June 2017; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that changes made by his Department regarding the timeline for completion of courses is an issue of particular concern to dry stock farmers; if the necessary changes will be made in order to ensure that such farmers are not denied the opportunity to submit eligible applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with EU Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, Member States may define additional eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills, experience or education. To ensure that the benefits of the ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ categories are targeted at those who have a genuine interest in farming as a career, Ireland included agricultural education at FETAC level 6 standard or its equivalent as a requirement to qualify for the schemes. Under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmer scheme Ireland introduced increased flexibility in order to maximise the number of eligible applicants into the schemes and students of agricultural education were included if otherwise eligible. However, this flexibility did not receive the approval of the European Commission. Therefore, successful applicants under the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme must have completed their agricultural educational qualification by 15th May 2017.
Where an applicant has fully completed all aspects of their course by 15th May but has not yet been verified as successful or received final certification, a Confirmation of Education Form should be submitted with the young farmer’s application. This form is available to download on the Department’s website. The form is to be filled out by a representative of the college to confirm that the applicant has fully completed all aspects of the course by the 15th May 2017.
Decisions in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, including educational qualifications, are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies, and agricultural education and advisory services. Full Terms and Conditions of the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme are available on my Department’s website.
571. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will sanction the dredging of Howth fishery harbour centre in view of the fact that the silting problem is becoming serious; the issues to be considered and the process to be followed in respect of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
Regarding a possible dredging project in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, preparation work has been underway for some time. I would advise the Deputy that a report from a site investigation works, which was commissioned in 2015, was received by my Department in March 2016. The report included vital information on the nature of the material to be dredged in any future dredging project.
The information revealed from the Site Investigation Report indicated that some of the dredge material would not be suitable for conventional disposal at sea.
In June 2016, a firm of consulting engineers were engaged to prepare a report on a potential dredging project at Howth, to include the possible scope of the project, various disposal options for the dredged material at Howth and permitting requirements.
An initial draft of this report was received by my Department in February 2017 and the final report was received on 14th March last. This report is currently being reviewed by my Department's Marine Engineering Division.
Depending on the outcome of this review, and as is the case for all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any decision with regard to progressing this project further will be considered under future Capital Programmes on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing priorities.
