Written Answers Nos 1689-1708
1689. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether Food Wise 2025 should be reviewed in view of the fact that its forecasts and targets were predicated on the UK remaining in the EU and that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has commenced a review of Enterprise 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28462/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFood Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector, identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness; as well as specific sectorial recommendations.
The implementation process for any strategy is vital for its success. I chair the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), with high level representatives from all the relevant Departments and State agencies. The committee reviews progress on detailed actions on a quarterly basis, in order to identify and solve problems quickly. Stakeholders regularly present to the committee meetings on their priorities for particular sectors or themes and by the end of this year, the HLIC will have reviewed in detail progress on the five cross-cutting themes and the eleven individual sectors outlined in Food Wise 2025.
In light of the UK vote to leave the EU, Brexit has been included as a standard item on the agenda of each meeting of the HLIC. It is clear that driving the implementation of the Food Wise recommendations, particularly those related to market development, competitiveness and innovation, will assume even greater importance in the light of the UK decision.
I will be launching Steps to Success 2017, the second progress report on Food Wise 2025, next month.
1690. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of landings made from the UK exclusive economic zone for each specific fishing stock in tabular from. [28463/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMain species subject to quota limits that are partially caught in UK waters by Irish vessels. (All data provided by the Marine Institute)
- The average annual Irish landings for the years 2011-15 are given in tonnes and value (M€).
- The estimated Irish landings taken from UK waters are given in tonnes and value (M€) as well as the percentage of the total Irish landings that were taken from UK waters by weight (%wt) and by value (%€).
- The last two columns are generally the same because a constant price was assumed for each species; however they can differ for groups of species or totals.
- Some species are divided into distinct stocks by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) areas e.g. Haddock in the area West of Scotland (Area 5, 6a) and in the Celtic Sea (Area 7bce-k)
|
Species |
Total Irish landings 2011-15 |
Irish landings from UK EEZ |
||||
|
Stock |
Tonnes |
M€ |
Tonnes |
M€ |
%wt |
%€ |
|
Mackerel |
74,981 |
59.0 |
47,748 |
37.6 |
64% |
64% |
|
Areas 2,5-8,12,14 |
48,750 |
38.4 |
21,613 |
17.0 |
44% |
44% |
|
Special condition 4a |
26,138 |
20.6 |
26,057 |
20.5 |
100% |
100% |
|
Nephrops |
9,322 |
46.6 |
3,741 |
18.7 |
40% |
40% |
|
Area 7 |
9,283 |
46.4 |
3,709 |
18.5 |
40% |
40% |
|
Areas 5b,6 |
38 |
0.2 |
31 |
0.2 |
82% |
82% |
|
Horse mackerel |
36,800 |
22.0 |
10,263 |
6.1 |
28% |
28% |
|
Areas 2,4-8,12,14 |
36,800 |
22.0 |
10,263 |
6.1 |
28% |
28% |
|
Herring |
27,633 |
10.5 |
8,654 |
3.3 |
31% |
31% |
|
Areas 5,6 |
2,762 |
1.0 |
2,450 |
0.9 |
89% |
89% |
|
Areas 6aS,7bc |
2,416 |
0.9 |
57 |
0.0 |
2% |
2% |
|
Area 7a |
43 |
0.0 |
32 |
0.0 |
73% |
73% |
|
Area 7g-k |
19,078 |
7.2 |
6,053 |
2.3 |
32% |
32% |
|
Anglerfish |
3,893 |
13.0 |
701 |
2.3 |
18% |
18% |
|
Area 7 |
3,312 |
11.1 |
595 |
2.0 |
18% |
18% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
580 |
1.9 |
105 |
0.4 |
18% |
18% |
|
Megrim |
3,144 |
9.4 |
721 |
2.1 |
23% |
23% |
|
Area 7 |
2,723 |
8.1 |
561 |
1.7 |
21% |
21% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
421 |
1.3 |
160 |
0.5 |
38% |
38% |
|
Whiting |
6,334 |
7.2 |
1,428 |
1.6 |
23% |
23% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
105 |
0.1 |
35 |
0.0 |
34% |
34% |
|
Area 7a |
10 |
0.0 |
4 |
0.0 |
44% |
44% |
|
Area 7b-k |
6,219 |
7.1 |
1,388 |
1.6 |
22% |
22% |
Table contd.
|
Species |
Total Irish landings 2011-15 |
Irish landings from UK EEZ |
||||
|
Stock |
Tonnes |
M€ |
Tonnes |
M€ |
%wt |
%€ |
|
Haddock |
4,097 |
5.9 |
753 |
1.1 |
18% |
18% |
|
Area 5,6a |
670 |
1.0 |
158 |
0.2 |
24% |
24% |
|
Areas 6b,12,14 |
108 |
0.2 |
72 |
0.1 |
67% |
67% |
|
Area 7a |
86 |
0.1 |
43 |
0.1 |
50% |
50% |
|
Area 7bce-k |
3,224 |
4.6 |
481 |
0.7 |
15% |
15% |
|
Boarfish |
36,165 |
5.1 |
6,349 |
0.9 |
18% |
18% |
|
Areas 6,7,8 |
36,165 |
5.1 |
6,349 |
0.9 |
18% |
18% |
|
Cod |
1,671 |
3.8 |
395 |
0.9 |
24% |
24% |
|
Areas 5E,6a |
20 |
0.0 |
3 |
0.0 |
16% |
16% |
|
Areas 5W,6b,12,14 |
5 |
0.0 |
4 |
0.0 |
90% |
90% |
|
Area 7a |
119 |
0.3 |
48 |
0.1 |
40% |
40% |
|
Area 7bce-k |
1,349 |
3.0 |
340 |
0.8 |
25% |
25% |
|
Hake |
2,195 |
6.3 |
176 |
0.5 |
8% |
8% |
|
Areas 5,6,7,12,14 |
2,194 |
6.3 |
175 |
0.5 |
8% |
8% |
|
Sole |
204 |
1.9 |
35 |
0.3 |
17% |
17% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
14 |
0.1 |
1 |
0.0 |
5% |
5% |
|
Area 7a |
42 |
0.4 |
18 |
0.2 |
43% |
43% |
|
Area 7bc |
29 |
0.3 |
0 |
0.0 |
0% |
0% |
|
Area 7fg |
36 |
0.3 |
14 |
0.1 |
38% |
38% |
|
Area 7h-k |
83 |
0.8 |
2 |
0.0 |
3% |
3% |
|
Blue whiting |
13,629 |
7.0 |
309 |
0.2 |
2% |
2% |
|
Areas 1-7,8,12,14 |
13,628 |
7.0 |
309 |
0.2 |
2% |
2% |
|
Plaice |
322 |
0.6 |
62 |
0.1 |
19% |
19% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
21 |
0.0 |
5 |
0.0 |
26% |
26% |
|
Area 7a |
139 |
0.3 |
42 |
0.1 |
30% |
30% |
|
Areas 7bc |
17 |
0.0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0% |
0% |
|
Areas 7fg |
75 |
0.1 |
10 |
0.0 |
13% |
13% |
|
Areas 7hjk |
69 |
0.1 |
5 |
0.0 |
7% |
7% |
|
Saithe |
1,167 |
1.3 |
90 |
0.1 |
8% |
8% |
|
Areas 5,6,12,14 |
244 |
0.3 |
37 |
0.0 |
15% |
15% |
|
Areas 7-10 |
922 |
1.0 |
53 |
0.1 |
6% |
6% |
|
Other TAC species |
13,107 |
11.2 |
502 |
0.6 |
4% |
5% |
|
Total TAC species |
234,663 |
210.7 |
81,927 |
76.4 |
35% |
36% |
Main non-TAC species that are partially caught in UK waters by Irish vessels.
- The average annual Irish landings for the years 2011-15 are given in tonnes and value (M€).
- The estimated Irish landings taken from UK waters are also given in tonnes, value (M€) as well as the percentage of the total Irish landings that were taken from UK waters by weight (%wt) and by value (%€).
- The last two columns are generally the same because a constant price was assumed for each species; however they can differ for groups of species or totals.
|
Species |
Irish landings 2011-15 |
Irish landings from UK EEZ |
||||
|
|
Tonnes |
M€ |
Tonnes |
M€ |
%wt |
%€ |
|
Scallops |
2,653 |
7.6 |
1,115 |
3.2 |
42% |
42% |
|
Whelk |
1,462 |
1.9 |
347 |
0.4 |
24% |
24% |
|
Edible crab |
6,154 |
9.0 |
212 |
0.3 |
3% |
3% |
|
Witch |
593 |
1.1 |
125 |
0.2 |
21% |
21% |
|
Squid |
169 |
0.6 |
57 |
0.2 |
33% |
39% |
|
Lemon sole |
435 |
1.1 |
76 |
0.2 |
17% |
17% |
|
Turbot |
174 |
1.5 |
20 |
0.2 |
11% |
11% |
|
John dory |
143 |
0.6 |
28 |
0.1 |
19% |
19% |
|
Razor clams |
481 |
2.1 |
26 |
0.1 |
5% |
5% |
|
Other species |
10,829 |
14.9 |
918 |
0.9 |
8% |
6% |
|
Total |
23,095 |
40.2 |
2,924 |
5.9 |
13% |
15% |
1691. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data with respect to progress on attaining baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector available by the Food Harvest 2020 strategy regarding new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28465/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1692. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the data with respect to progress on attaining baseline targets set down for the agrifood sector and in each sector where available by the Food Wise 2025 strategy in relation to new jobs to be created, primary output, exports levels and value added [28466/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1691 and 1692 together.
The main targets set out in the Food Harvest report published in 2010 were, by 2020, to increase the value of primary output by 33% and agrifood exports by 40% (both from a 2007-09 average baseline); and to increase value added production by 40% (from a 2008 baseline). In addition to these value increases, the dairy industry targeted a 50% increase in milk production by 2020, to be progressed following the abolition of milk quotas in April 2016.
Progress on those targets was monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The fourth annual report “Milestones for Success 2014”, published in September 2014, showed that the sector had achieved very significant progress on these targets and illustrated the manner in which the Food Harvest 2020 vision of ‘smart, green, growth’ is being attained. The latest data available show growth of 36% for both primary production and exports (based on 2016 data), and 47% for value added (latest available data 2014), versus the baseline period.
Food Wise 2025, the new ten year strategy for the agrifood sector published in July 2015, is the successor to the Food Harvest strategy. It identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow the sector to grow and prosper. Food Wise includes more than 400 specific recommendations, spread across the cross-cutting themes of sustainability, innovation, human capital, market development and competitiveness; as well as specific sectorial recommendations.
If these recommendations are implemented, the expert committee which drew up the Food Wise 2025 Strategy believes that the following growth projections are achievable by 2025: increasing the value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion; increasing value added in the sector by 70% to in excess of €13 billion; and increasing the value of primary production by 65% to almost €10 billion. With regard to employment, Food Wise foresees the creation of 23,000 additional jobs in the agrifood sector all along the supply chain from primary production to high value added product development. Realising these growth projections will be challenging, but I am confident that they can be achieved.
In July last year, I launched the first annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2016. Food Wise Steps to Success showed that, of the 330 detailed actions which were due to commence in 2015 or 2016, 28% have been achieved or substantial action has been undertaken; and a further 67% have commenced and are progressing well. I believe that this is a good start and I will press on to get as many actions as possible completed within the next year.
Next month, I will launch the second annual progress report of Food Wise 2025: Steps to Success 2017.
1693. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings of the Food Wise 2025 high level implementation group in the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of meetings planned in 2017; the number of meetings planned for the remaining years of the strategy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28467/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe FoodWise 2025 High Level Implementation Committee has had the following meetings to date since the publication of the strategy in July 2015:
- 2015 (from September): two meetings
- 2016: six meetings
- 2017 to date: two meetings
The next meeting of the HLIC will be on 28 June. It is planned to have at least two more meetings before the end of the year. For the remaining years of the strategy, it is planned to have at least four meetings per year.
1694. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the implementation of the recommendations set out in the report of the independent aquaculture licensing review group which examines the process of licensing for aquaculture. [28468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received the Report of the independent Aquaculture Licensing Review Group on 31st May 2017. This Group was tasked with making recommendations to improve the existing licensing system and to undertake steps to review the legislative framework having regard to Government policy for the sustainable development of aquaculture, as outlined in Food Wise 2025 and the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development.
The Review Group carried out a detailed examination of the existing aquaculture licensing process, undertook comprehensive stakeholder consultation and looked at comparative national and international consent systems to determine best practice for managing a complex licensing process in a transparent, environmentally appropriate and legally robust manner.
The Group’s Report is published and available to view on Fishingnet.ie, the Government’s Commercial Sea Fishing Network Portal. The overarching conclusion of the Report is for a root-and-branch reform of the aquaculture licence application processes to take place with a focus on both short-term immediate actions as well as longer term initiatives. There are a total of 30 recommendations in the Report.
My Department is currently considering the Report’s recommendations. This work is regarded as high priority and implementation of recommendations of the Report will commence as soon as possible.
1695. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the situation in which GLAS payments are not being processed or payments made due to the functionality required to process a payment that differs from the previous years payment is not in place on the information technology system that processes the payments for GLAS and his Department cannot give a timeframe as to when this situation will be resolved in order that payments that are now outstanding for some months can be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28482/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of the Rural Development Programme 2015 - 2020 the Department has delivered over twenty new schemes that were supported by IT capability in the last two years. In the first two years of the current RDP programme my Department has already implemented substantially more RDP schemes than were implemented over the entire ten year lifetime of the previous RDP programme. To date Ireland has drawn down funding at a rate that is 2.4 times higher than the EU average. This rate of delivery and draw-down would not have been possible without the availability of high quality complex IT software systems to support the business units in operating these schemes. Since 2014 my Department has adopted a policy of implementing fully digital end-to-end support for all but the smallest of schemes.
My Department has an excellent record in the delivery of high quality ICT systems. In that respect my Department is ahead of the rest of our European partners and is also highly regarded across the Civil and Public Service. We have been consistently among the first to make payments in the EU.
A number of issues arose in particular in relation to the GLAS system with additional functionality being required to deal with non standard cases. Significant progress has been made in relation to payments in recent months with over 93% of GLAS I and II applicants now paid with documentation awaited from a further 1,200 applicants. Another 1,400 applications are under review.
All but a very small amount of outstanding work in relation to the GLAS scheme has been addressed and plans are in place to address this over the coming period. Updates of the software required to process applications for the various schemes are applied on an ongoing basis.
1696. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate a GLAS payment to a person (details supplied) that is held up due to the information technology system not having the functionality required to process the payment that is overdue due to the fact there is a linear reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named 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 person named has requested that the length of traditional stone wall included for maintenance in her application be reduced and this has resulted in the delay in issuing payment. My Department is actively working to resolve the issue with a view to further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.
1697. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the maximum payment that can be granted to any one person for the greening payment under pillar 1 here in one scheme year; the total greening payment values in 2016 according to amounts (details supplied); and the number of herdowners paid, in tabular form. [28503/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe value of the Greening payment per eligible farmer is calculated as a fixed percentage of the total value of entitlements activated by that farmer. Currently the fixed percentage stands at approximately 44%. This fixed percentage is calculated annually by dividing the Greening ceiling for that year by the total value of all payment entitlements activated in that year and as such the fixed percentage may vary from year to year as the number of activated entitlements changes depending on applications in a particular year.
The following table sets out the number of farmers and greening payments in the range provided by the Deputy.
|
Range |
No of Applicants |
Payments |
|
01-Between 0 and 5000 |
104429 |
187989795.3 |
|
02-Between 5000 and 10000 |
14718 |
100319143.9 |
|
03-Between 10000 and 20000 |
4077 |
53669896.48 |
|
04-Between 20000 and 30000 |
579 |
13816419.35 |
|
05-Between 30000 and 40000 |
135 |
4586473.41 |
|
06-Between 40000 and 50000 |
47 |
2057926.88 |
|
07-Between 50000 and 60000 |
20 |
1103103.45 |
|
08-Between 60000 and 70000 |
8 |
511821.33 |
|
09-Between 70000 and 80000 |
2 |
143751.2 |
|
10-Between 80000 and 90000 |
1 |
86924.47 |
|
11-Between 90000 and 100000 |
0 |
|
|
12-Between 100000 and 110000 |
0 |
|
|
13-Between 110000 and 120000 |
0 |
|
|
14-Between 120000 and 130000 |
0 |
|
|
15-Between 130000 and 140000 |
0 |
|
|
16-Between 140000 and 150000 |
0 |
|
|
17->150000 |
0 |
1698. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if concerns have been raised to his Department or by the Data Protection Commissioner regarding issues concerning confidential details of persons and livestock information that is displayed at marts and shared with processors. [28504/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that, to date, no such issue has been raised with my Department and to reassure him that all data protection matters are dealt with by my Department in line with current Data Protection legislation.
My Department is keenly aware of all its obligations in the area of data protection as regards the confidentiality of personal data for all its staff and customers. In the event of any personal data security breach involving my Department, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is notified as a matter of policy and all such instances are dealt with in accordance with best practice guidance as issued by the Commissioner.
1699. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has examined putting the farmers' charter of rights on a statutory footing with respect to CAP and RDP payments being delivered by agreed timelines; if this is possible under current EU regulations; and the articles in CAP regulations that legislate for payment timelines. [28505/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farmers Charter of Rights is effectively an agreement between the farm representative organisations and my Department. It sets down agreed target timelines for delivery of payments as well as standards for services, in respect of the schemes operated and services provided by my Department. It also brings clarity to the arrangements around inspections obligations as provided for in the legislation governing the various schemes.
A Farmers’ Charter of Rights Monitoring Committee has been established under an independent chair to monitor these agreed targets and standards. This Committee is comprised of representatives of the main farm organisations and staff of my Department. The Monitoring Committee has met on six occasions since its establishment under the current Charter.
The operation of a number of schemes covered by this Charter is governed by EU/National legislation while others are governed by national law only. The highly ambitious targets that my Department strives to achieve under the Charter - targets which compare very favourably with the payment timeframes of our EU counterparts - cannot legally supersede national or EU law. The Charter therefore cannot grant rights which would affect or change the operation of those laws in so far as they apply to the Schemes and services in question. Accordingly, it is not possible to put the Farmers’ Charter of Rights on a statutory footing.
1700. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the drawdown on European funding arising from approved projects included in Ireland's project list submitted to the EIB Commission member state special task force on developing an investment project pipeline in the EU that his Department contributed to. [28507/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1701. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department put forward no projects to the Department of Finance task force report for the European Fund for Strategic Investment in each year since it was established; and if no EFSI funding has been drawn down. [28508/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1700 and 1701 together.
In 2014, my Department contributed to a list of possible projects for the “EIB-Commission-Member State Special Task Force on developing an investment project pipeline in the EU". This was an indicative exercise and did not result in consideration or approvals of any of the possibilities outlined at that time.
Subsequently the EU Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group launched the “European Fund for Strategic Investments” (EFSI) to help overcome the current investment gap in the EU by mobilising private financing for strategic investments.
In December 2016, the EIB Group opened an office in Dublin and the Minister for Finance established an “EIB-Ireland Financing Group”, on which my Department is represented. Since then my Department has also had bilateral discussions with the EIB.
In January, I launched the Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme. The €25 million in public funding provided by my Department funds an interest rate subsidy and the guarantee, which is further supported by SBCI and the EIB Group through COSME (the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs). This type of innovative risk sharing product is new to Ireland but common across Europe.
In February, the EIB confirmed a €90 million long-term loan to Coillte to finance the cost of planting, forest management and forest road construction and maintenance over the next four years.
My Department will continue to liaise with the EIB regarding suitable financing opportunities in the agrifood sector.
1702. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cross-compliance rules under CAP regulations 1306/2013 and 1307/2014; the percentage of beneficiaries that must be checked via on-the-spot controls including rural development programme schemes; his views on a matter (details supplied). [28509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to carry out Cross Compliance inspections on 1% of beneficiaries to ensure compliance with the Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) in the areas of the environment, climate change and good agricultural condition of land; public, animal and plant health and animal welfare.
Participants in the Agri-environmental schemes, e.g. GLAS, AEOS, are required to deliver certain actions to a standard higher than the general Cross Compliance requirements referred to above. These specific cross compliance requirements are termed as baseline requirements. The EU regulations governing the Agri-environmental schemes require that 5% of beneficiaries must be inspected annually, which includes inspection to ensure compliance with these baseline requirements where applicable to the actions taken.
My Department will implement any simplification measures introduced by the EU to lessen the burden on both farmers and administrations, while continuing to maintain the overall aim of the various schemes.
1703. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process regarding the sale of Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium to the Department of Education and Skills; the site valuations received; the discussions he has had with the Irish Greyhound Board, breeders, owners and other stakeholders during this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/17]
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 the 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.
1704. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite a payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28622/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (DAS) was received from the person named on 10 April 2014.
Under the 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.
Processing of the 2014 DAS application of the person named identified irregularities in the sheep movement records which my officials were unable to reconcile. An official from my Department was in direct contact with representatives of the person named on 9 February 2015 and informed them of this finding and of the need to forward an updated flock book and the file would be reviewed. To date this information has not been received.
1705. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28624/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2016.
The person named has requested that the length of new hedgerow to be planted included in his application be reduced and this has resulted in the delay in issuing payment. My Department is actively working to resolve the issue with a view to further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.
1706. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if historians and genealogists can have access to records held by his Department in a warehouse in Portlaoise regarding the Land Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28640/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no immediate plans to make the 8 million or so records of the former Irish Land Commission (ILC) generally available to the public for research purposes or otherwise as they are still working documents and have not been handed over to the National Archives. My officials regularly access these records to service queries from the public relating to current and past transactions and for the full completion of the work of the former ILC. Wider access will be a matter for consideration when the completion of the work of the former ILC is at a more advanced stage. The records which are available in paper format only are fragile, some dating back as far as the late 1800's and are an irreplaceable resource should they get damaged. So in order to maintain them it is essential that they are handled and stored appropriately. Opening up access to these files cannot be considered until appropriate measures are undertaken to minimise potential damage from routine handling. While limited access is granted to persons on application, the office does not provide a research facility as the provision of such a service would require much greater resources than those currently available.
1707. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all State bodies under the aegis of his Department have furnished a report confirming the State body has complied with its obligations under tax law for 2015 and 2016 as required under the code of practice for the governance of State bodies; the action which was taken regarding those bodies that did not submit such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department as outlined below. In relation to 2015 all of the Bodies furnished a report to my Department confirming tax compliance. As regards 2016, four of the Bodies have furnished a report confirming tax compliance. These are Coillte, Irish National Stud, National Milk Agency and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I am awaiting receipt of reports confirming tax compliance from the remaining eight State Bodies which will be forwarded to my Department in the normal manner following completion of the audit of their 2016 financial statements by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
State Bodes under the aegis of my Department
- Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board
- Bord Bia
- Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Bord na gCon
- Coillte
- Horse Racing Ireland
- Irish National Stud
- Marine Institute
- National Milk Agency
- Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
- Teagasc
- Veterinary Council of Ireland.
1708. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2016 GLAS advance payment will issue to persons (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28720/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of the 1 October 2015 and has received full payments in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process issues were identified with the Commonage action. Department officials are actively working to resolve these issues with a view to further processing the application for payment at the earliest opportunity.
