Written Answers Nos 1589-1608
1589. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the history of valuations for the Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium commissioned by his Department or the Irish Greyhound Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28540/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chairman of Bord na gCon wrote to my Department on 10 May seeking my approval and that of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the sale of Harold’s Cross Greyhound Stadium to the Department of Education and Skills.
The sale of Harold's Cross Greyhound Racing Stadium is a transaction between the Department of Education and Skills and Bord na gCon. I had no role in the approval of the sum of €23 million offered for the stadium. Indeed I understand that that sum was based on an independent valuation by the Valuation office and that this was provided and accepted by the transacting parties, in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform procedures governing the sale of state assets.
I was however required to consent to the sale of the asset by Bord na gCon in accordance with the code of governance for State Bodies. The necessary Ministerial consents for the sale have been provided, subject to the proceeds being used to substantially reduce the debt and to the submission of a comprehensive business plan by Bord na gCon.
This sale was consistent with a recommendation in the Indecon Report, commissioned by my predecessor, that Bord na gCon consider disposing of assets, including Harold's Cross Greyhound Racing Stadium, in order to reduce its debt levels. This debt stood at €21.4 million at 31st December 2016, and the cost of servicing it was a significant impediment to the Bord's ability to carry out its statutory obligation to develop the industry.
I am confident that this sale, along with the new framework for improved governance and regulation currently undergoing pre legislative scrutiny in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, can provide a platform for a new beginning for the sector and a more sustainable future.
1590. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding given by his Department to the Irish horse welfare trust in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; the measures under which funding is provided; if his Department is satisfied that all governance matters in relation to the trust are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28620/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to animal welfare organisations directly involved in animal care and welfare services. This funding is intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of an organisation. Payments are made at year end and the following payments have been made to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT).
Year Amount
2011 €30,000
2012 €35,000
2013 €49,000
2014 €60,000
2015 €87,000
2016 €50,000
No further direct payments have been made to date in 2017. The 2017 Exgratia Scheme will be advertised shortly and it is open to the IHWT to make an application for funding. A payment of €1,348 was made to the IHWT in 2015 to assist with the microchipping and passporting of Co Wicklow traveller owned horses. Strict governance rules apply to the provision of Department funding.
In the case of the equine passporting clinics, these were carried out by a PVP. With regard to ex-gratia funding, all recipients of funding are issued with Terms and Conditions to be adhered to by welfare organisations in receipt of funds. These include the necessity for compliance with good governance and with all animal health and welfare legislation etc. From 1 January 2017 only organisations registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority will be eligible to apply for ex-gratia funding from this Department.
1591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28694/17]
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 been processed and payment has issued to the person named.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases with regard to Hen Harrier action. My Department has examined this issue with a view to reinstating the missing action and will be in contact with the applicant directly to finalise this issue.
1592. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff employed in his Department and in each State agency under the aegis of his Department by county in tabular form. [29247/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe breakdown of staff per county is set out below in both number and Full-Time Equivalents (FTE). The situation within State agencies under my Department's auspices is a matter for the State Agencies themselves.
|
- |
FTE |
Number |
|
Carlow |
14 |
14 |
|
Cavan |
211.8 |
229 |
|
Clare |
15 |
15 |
|
Cork |
282.3 |
300 |
|
Donegal |
84 |
86 |
|
Dublin |
523.2 |
549 |
|
Galway |
61.8 |
63 |
|
Kerry |
48.3 |
49 |
|
Kildare |
470.5 |
495 |
|
Kilkenny |
48.1 |
49 |
|
Laois |
450.0 |
476 |
|
Leitrim |
36.7 |
38 |
|
Limerick |
73 |
74 |
|
Longford |
13 |
13 |
|
Louth |
5 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
79.4 |
82 |
|
Meath |
64.3 |
70 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
23 |
|
Offaly |
34.4 |
35 |
|
Roscommon |
43.4 |
44 |
|
Sligo |
33.6 |
34 |
|
Tipperary |
77.2 |
78 |
|
Waterford |
44.1 |
45 |
|
Westmeath |
29.9 |
31 |
|
Wexford |
283.7 |
306 |
|
Wicklow |
4.8 |
5 |
|
Seconded |
12 |
12 |
1593. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if contingency planning is completed for the dairy sector with regard to processing in Northern Ireland if there is no agreement in Brexit talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, Brexit, has fostered a great deal of speculation with respect to its future trading relationship with the union, including with Ireland. As 40% of Irish agrifood exports go to the UK, Brexit negotiations will be among the most important in terms of potential impact on the sector since the talks prior to Ireland joining the then-European Economic Community.
The United Kingdom including Northern Ireland represents Ireland’s biggest dairy export market by a considerable distance, accounting for up to 30% of exports in the dairy sector. An important issue in terms of the Northern Ireland dimension to any prospective Brexit would be around the de facto all island milk market that currently exists.
Significant volumes of manufacturing milk or primary processed ingredients are taken in by a broad range of ROI processors from Northern Ireland processors. A number of processors also have significant cross border catchment areas in terms of their farmer suppliers, and any re-establishment of a hard border would pose direct difficulties in this respect. A number of dairy processors have stand alone companies in Northern Ireland approved to collect milk in compliance with EU regulations. This raw milk is routinely imported into ROI for processing. In the process to implement arrangements for Brexit, procedures including certification for importation of raw milk and product for further processing would need to be examined, assessed and agreed. In the absence of an agreement on a post Brexit trading or transitional arrangement, this trade would most likely be subject to tariffs, customs arrangements and official controls.
My Department is considering all of these possibilities in conjunction with relevant Government Departments, agencies and with industry. Ultimately, of course, Ireland's objective is to avoid such a scenario, and Government is working with other Member states and with EU institutions to ensure that there is an agreement on the terms of the UK's exit from the European Union and the future trading relationship which protects the interests of the agri food sector in Ireland, including the dairy sector.
1594. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry if British territorial waters are no longer part of the Common Fisheries Policy; if contingency planning has been completed regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/17]
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 yet know what changes the UK Government may seek to the current arrangements. I am, however, clear that our objective is to maintain our current access to fishing grounds in UK waters in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and, to protect Ireland’s current quota shares.
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 and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
As part of this work, my Department is holding a further Brexit discussion with stakeholders at the National Seafood Conference in Galway at the end of this month. This will include presentations from the Chairs of the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the North Sea Advisory Council respectively. These Councils represent industry and NGO stakeholders from all of the EU Member States with fishing interests in the UK zone. Representatives from the Irish fishing industry will also participate.
During the recent visit of Chief Brexit Negotiator, Mr. Michel Barnier to Ireland, I met with him and discussed the issues arising for the agri-food sector. On fisheries, I explained Ireland's perspective and that it was shared by a number of EU partners. I am satisfied that Mr. Barnier understands the issues and the potential significance of Brexit for Ireland's fisheries sector. Mr Barnier agreed with me that fisheries negotiations must be inextricably linked to the wider trade negotiations.
I also made clear that transitional arrangements are likely to be important for the seafood sector.
In conclusion, I will be working to ensure that fisheries remains high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that we obtain the best possible outcome from the negotiations. I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares and, any limitations on our existing rights of access.
1595. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive farm payments for 2016; the reason for the delay in issuing the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2016.
Under the ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per hectare for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per hectare calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.
The Terms and Conditions of the ANC Scheme sets 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 16 May 2016.
Processing of the 2016 ANC application of the person named identified that the holding concerned had not met these eligibility criteria as outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
A Department official has been in direct contact with the agent representing the person named regarding the late return of the sheep census. A letter has issued to the person named informing her of the findings, and of her right to seek a review of this decision within ninety days to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
1596. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the opening up of the Taiwanese market for pork and beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26618/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working on expanding market access for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultry and cooked meats across a range of markets and is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which we already have access. The priorities of the industry are assessed through the form of quarterly meetings with relevant stakeholders.
In terms of beef market access, 2016 saw some considerable successes including the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG) as well as the opening of the Canadian & New Zealand beef markets and the re-opening of the Israeli beef market. Significant steps were also taken in terms of beef market access to China, South Korea and Vietnam in conjunction with the Trade Mission there. 2017 has already seen the re-opening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef and beef exports have now commenced. It has also seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there.
Although Ireland remains committed to the One China policy, this does not prevent trade links with Taiwan. However, to date, we have not sought market access for either beef or pigmeat to Taiwan.
1597. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a TAMS 2 payment; when payment will be received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a payment claim under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. There were deficiencies in the documentation and the claim submitted and a query letter issued. While documents were received in response to this letter, the certificates submitted in response were not in order. These issues have now been resolved. As the claim included yard lighting which had not been completed when the claim was submitted, the claim will be subject to a penalty. The Department is currently finalising the IT system to allow the processing of penalties. Once completed the claim will be processed for payment.
1598. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied). [26644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA report detailing findings of an inspection, on the holding of the person named, carried out by National Parks and Wildlife Service was referred to my Department’s Cross Compliance Unit for attention. This report detailed breaches relating to the cross compliance requirements under the Habitats Directive, resulting in a 20% penalty being applied against the 2015 Direct Schemes payments. The person named was notified of this decision on 9 February 2016. A Department review of this decision was sought, the outcome of which was to up-hold the inspection findings. The person named appealed this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and the outcome was partially successful. My Department has sought a review of the Appeals Officers decision (this decision) from the Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office and I understand that the review process is on-going.
1599. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in relation to their AEOS and organic scheme payments; the reasons they have not been paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26702/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1st 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. Payments to cases that are finalised are issued on a weekly basis.
The person named was approved into the Organic Farming Scheme with a contract start of 1st January 2016. Payment will issue once pre payment validations are completed which are due to be finalised in the near future.
1600. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU auditor is auditing the commonages here; and if so, the date on which this audit will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is subject to ongoing audits from a number of bodies both at European and National level.
All land including commonage claimed by farmers under the Basic Payment Scheme comes within the scope of these audits. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the detail of specific audits.
1601. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that the EU auditor is examining commonages here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is subject to audits from a number of bodies including DG Agri and the European Court of Auditors.
These audits can involve a review of the implementation by my Department of the various EU regulations that relate to both the management and eligibility of land for payment, including commonages. The primary articles that cover land eligibility are detailed in EU Regulation 1307/2013 and the delegated EU Regulation 639/2014.
The interpretation of these Regulations is clearly set out in the booklet “A Guide to Land Eligibility” which my Department issued to all farmers in 2015. These land eligibility rules apply to all agricultural lands irrespective of whether the land is farmed in common or not.
1602. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason inspectors training changed in 2017 from the years 2015 to 2016 whereby inspectors are now examining agricultural areas, especially wet or marshy agricultural areas with a view to these been omitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26707/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been no change in the treatment of wet marshy land since the publication of “A Guide to Land Eligibility” booklet in 2015. A copy of this booklet was sent to all farmers in 2015.
For land to be eligible for the area-based schemes it must be “agricultural area” or “agricultural land”. This is clearly stated in Basic Payment scheme terms and conditions and in the booklet. The booklet describes the type of land that is agricultural area/land and the type of land that is not agricultural area/land. The booklet also clearly sets out “areas requiring total exclusion” which includes “marshy or wet areas”. The booklet further demonstrates, by means of photographs, “ineligible- non agricultural marshy area” and “ineligible – non agricultural bog area”.
1603. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason inspectors training changed in 2017 from 2015 to 2016 whereby inspectors are omitting hill tops within commonage areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1616. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the hill tops of commonage areas have been excluded under the proposed changes to the BPS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27177/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1603 and 1616 together.
The rules on the eligibility of “hill top” land have not changed since 2015. I can confirm that inspecting officers of my Department are not “omitting hill tops” within commonage areas.
My Department provides training, on an annual basis, for staff who carry out land eligibility inspections. The purpose of this training is to update inspecting officers on audit outcomes, clarifications on the governing EU regulations and guidance documents from various EU meetings and workshops and to ensure that the inspection process is up to the standard required of an accredited paying agency.
1604. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of live sheep imported into meat factories from Northern Ireland on a monthly basis in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1605. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of live sheep imported into meat plants from Great Britain on a monthly basis in the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1604 and 1605 together.
The movement of live animals from one Member State to another within the European Union is recorded on the European Commission's Trade Control and Experts System (TRACES). However there are no figures available from TRACES for the period prior to 2016.
However annual totals of sheep imported from Northern Ireland and slaughtered in the Republic of Ireland based on figures provided to my Department by slaughter plants for the period 2010 - 2016 are as follows:
2010: 390,534 (overall slaughter total: 2,119,843)
2011: 462,091 (overall slaughter total: 2,171,242)
2012: 406,619 (overall slaughter total: 2,431,283)
2013: 438,616 (overall slaughter total: 2,616,000)
2014: 378,699 (overall slaughter total: 2,599,039)
2015: 335,349 (overall slaughter total: 2,559,275)
Data from the TRACES system gives the following figures for 2016 and 2017;
2016: 374,902 (overall total: 2,633,969)
2017 (to June 9th): 154,423
In relation to imports of sheep for slaughter from Great Britain (England Wales and Scotland), there were 689 sheep imported for slaughter from Britain in 2016. There are no other available records showing imports of live sheep from Great Britain for the remainder of the period as requested by the Deputy.
1606. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep carcasses imported into meat plants from Northern Ireland on a monthly basis in the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1607. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep carcasses imported into meat plants from Great Britain on a monthly basis in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date 2017. [26861/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1607 and 1606 together.
Figures provided to my Department by the Central Statistics Office show that the following quantities of sheep and lamb carcasses and half carcasses were imported to Ireland annually in the period 2010 – 2017:
|
Great Britain |
Northern Ireland |
|
|
Year |
Tonnes |
Tonnes |
|
2010 |
759 |
170 |
|
2011 |
790 |
308 |
|
2012 |
1,527 |
4 |
|
2013 |
1,731 |
|
|
2014 |
3,032 |
|
|
2015 |
3,347 |
|
|
2016 |
2,238 |
|
|
2017 (to March) |
638 |
It should be noted that the quantities imported are recorded in tonnes and not numbers of individual carcasses.
The available data does not give a breakdown regarding what proportion of these were for retail or further processing, nor is a monthly breakdown available.
Typically, imports into Ireland are made up of lower value manufacturing product or carcass sheep meat, which undergoes further processing by Irish companies before re-export. Whilst Ireland is of course a net exporter of sheep meat, imports of these products make an important contribution to the overall output of the sectors nationally and constitute a necessary component of the overall trade flows.
These figures represent a very small quantity of the overall sheep meat processed in Irish plants. For example in 2016 we exported 49,000 tonnes of sheep meat.
1608. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of spending by his Department on health and safety equipment and training for fishers over the past five years in tabular form. [26872/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides vocational safety training to the fishing fleet and grant aids safety related equipment through a number of de minimis schemes with Exchequer only funding. These are the Fleet Safety Scheme, the Marine Tourism Vessel Safety Scheme and the Enhanced Safety Training Scheme.
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
BIM Safety Training |
|||||
|
Fleet Safety |
€161,347 |
€142,331 |
€389,937 |
€379,801 |
€390,108 |
|
Marine Tourism Safety Scheme |
€0 |
€11,038 |
€8,910 |
€21,084 |
€12,990 |
|
Enhanced Safety Training Scheme |
€0 |
€0 |
€284,310 |
€192,270 |
€139,230 |
|
€161,347 |
€153,369 |
€683,157 |
€593,155 |
€542,328 |
