Written Answers Nos. 972-991
972. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received, in total, under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme two on a county basis in tabular form; the number of approved applications; the total number of payment claims lodged; the number of payment claims that have been approved for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34778/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on TAMS2 Applications Received by County are contained in the following table.
|
County |
Number of Applications |
|
Carlow |
197 |
|
Cavan |
507 |
|
Clare |
401 |
|
Cork |
2017 |
|
Donegal |
704 |
|
Dublin |
73 |
|
Galway |
951 |
|
Kerry |
948 |
|
Kildare |
244 |
|
Kilkenny |
681 |
|
Laois |
386 |
|
Leitrim |
201 |
|
Limerick |
657 |
|
Longford |
187 |
|
Louth |
163 |
|
Mayo |
521 |
|
Meath |
468 |
|
Monaghan |
445 |
|
Offaly |
309 |
|
Roscommon |
514 |
|
Sligo |
190 |
|
Tipperary |
1107 |
|
Waterford |
440 |
|
Westmeath |
321 |
|
Wexford |
676 |
|
Wicklow |
225 |
|
Total |
13533 |
|
- |
Nos. |
|
Total Applications Received |
13533 |
|
Total Approved |
9403 |
|
Total Payment Claims Lodged |
1773 |
|
Total Approved for Payment to date |
1148 |
973. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of an annual breakdown of the actual expenditure incurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017 to each scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020 (details supplied) in tabular form; the details of budget allocations for each year in the 2014 to 2020 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
Table 1. Co funded Scheme level expenditure 2014-2020 and January-June 2017 (provisional)
|
Actual Total 2014-2020 Programme |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Jan-June Provisional |
|
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
Expenditure |
|
|
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
|
|
Beef and Data Genomics Programme |
0 |
28,989,048 |
59,272,461 |
7,077,418 |
|
Rural Environment Protection Scheme |
136,119,131 |
26,507,770 |
1,488,131 |
81,910 |
|
Agri-Environment Option Scheme |
60,715,069 |
78,583,446 |
32,256,472 |
8,218,179 |
|
Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme |
0 |
11,452,500 |
100,922,200 |
31,575,442 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Schemes |
0 |
0 |
953,868 |
840,386 |
|
Organic Farming Schemes |
4,381,000 |
7,844,024 |
7,999,971 |
2,255,799 |
|
Land Mobility-Early Retirement Scheme |
0 |
0 |
4,248,250 |
1,439,021 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
0 |
7607,854 |
7,806,640 |
10,688,200 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
195,655,247 |
206,525,119 |
206,527,774 |
7,419,415 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
0 |
79,717 |
334,717 |
329,824 |
|
Technical Assistance |
0 |
65,182 |
799,663 |
603,683 |
|
Advisory Services |
0 |
0 |
301,481 |
217,994 |
|
Knowledge Transfer Scheme |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
396,870,447 |
367,654,660 |
422,911,628 |
70,747,271 |
Table 2. Allocations for RDP funded Schemes in DAFM Vote 2014-2017
|
Allocation 2014-2020 Programme |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Provisional |
|
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
Allocation |
|
|
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
Vote Total |
|
|
Beef and Data Genomics Programme |
23,000,000 |
35,000,000 |
74,000,000 |
52,000,000 |
|
Rural Environment Protection Scheme |
123,000,000 |
53,550,000 |
2,174,000 |
310,000 |
|
Agri-Environment Option Scheme |
61,000,000 |
71,000,000 |
40,850,000 |
10,940,000 |
|
Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme |
0 |
20,000,000 |
139,500,000 |
214,000,000 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Schemes |
0 |
0 |
1,200,000 |
6,000,000 |
|
Organic Farming Schemes |
0 |
6,000,000 |
10,000,000 |
10,500,000 |
|
Land Mobility-Early Retirement Scheme |
10,010,000 |
7,394,000 |
4,602,000 |
3,210,000 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
17,200,000 |
30,500,000 |
35,800,000 |
49,965,280 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
195,000,000 |
207,000,000 |
202,000,000 |
202,000,000 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
0 |
0 |
900,000 |
500,000 |
|
Technical Assistance |
1,425,000 |
100000 |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
|
Advisory Services |
0 |
450,000 |
0 |
993,220 |
|
Knowledge Transfer Scheme |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25,621,000 |
|
430,635,000 |
430,994,000 |
512,026,000 |
577,039,500 |
The above are the total allocation for the schemes. In a few cases, small parts of the allocation for schemes are not co-funded.
In addition to the schemes mentioned by the Deputy there are also allocations in 2017 for the animal welfare scheme, the traditional farm building scheme and food producer scheme. The Horticulture scheme is not co-funded under the 2014-2020 RDP.
Allocations for the years 2018-2020 will be determined in the context of the annual estimates process for those years.
974. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 523 of 30 May 2017, when a reply will issue. [34780/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the volume and format of the data requested by the Deputy, the data has been posted directly to the Deputy today as a follow up to Parliamentary Question 523 of 30 May.
975. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to parliamentary question number 524 of 30 May 2017, when a reply will issue. [34781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra976. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 525 of 30 May 2017, when a reply will issue. [34782/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra978. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 527 of 30 May 2017, when a reply will issue. [34784/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 975, 976 and 978 together.
Officials in my Department are actively compiling the significant range of data requested by the Deputy. The data will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
977. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 30 May 2017, when a reply will issue. [34783/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the volume and format of the data requested by the Deputy, the data has been posted directly to the Deputy today as a follow up to Parliamentary Question 526 of 30 May.
979. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average annual payment farmers will be able to draw down, based on current participation rates in the green low carbon agri-environment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34785/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the current participation levels in GLAS 1 and 2, the average annual contract value, excluding GLAS + is €4,200. The average annual contract value will increase when GLAS+ payments are fully processed and the processing of GLAS 3 contracts to payment may also impact on the average payment. It is only when the 2017 payment processing is complete that the actual average annual contract value for over 50,000 participants will be available.
980. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of latest progress in achieving Food Wise 2025 targets following the publication of the latest implementation report; if he will be commissioning an immediate review of Food Wise 2025 as his ministerial colleague has done in the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with respect to its ten-year Department Strategy Enterprise 2025 considering the employment and exports targets were predicted for a non-Brexit scenario. [34786/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFood Wise 2025, the ten year strategy for the agri-food 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 launched the second annual progress report of Food Wise 2025, Steps to Success 2017, on 5th July 2017. Steps to Success 2017 outlines what the Department and its agencies have achieved in year one and what they plan to achieve over the next 12 months.
Of the 368 actions that were due to commence by 2017 or are ongoing actions, there has been good progress to date:
- 46% of the actions have been achieved or substantial action has been undertaken.
- 49% of the actions have commenced and are progressing.
- 3% of the actions are at commencement stage with the expectation that they will be achieved in the timeframe associated with them.
- 2% actions have not yet commenced. Of these, four will commence later this year.
981. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 29 June 2017, the number of participants in the sustainable beef and lamb assurance schemes, by county (details supplied). [34787/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Quality Assurance Schemes operated by Bord Bia have been developed over a period of years and extend beyond the farm gate as vertical industry integrated schemes. They are voluntary in nature. The Beef Quality Assurance Scheme commenced in 2004, and a Lamb Scheme commenced in 2007. A combined Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme commenced in January 2011. Both beef and lamb feature in the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme launched in April 2017. An amount of €6 million has been provided in 2017 for independent on farm inspection and certification.
My officials will contact Bord Bia for the information sought by Deputy as this scheme is run by Bord Bia, and is an operational matter for them. This information will be provided to the Deputy by my Department under separate cover. However should the Deputy require any further information, he should contact Bord Bia directly at the agreed Oireachtas contact address: info@bordbia.ie.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
982. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding drawn down to date on an annual basis in tabular form under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014 to 2020 per each regional FLAG; the annual breakdown of funding allocated; the breakdown on all the seafood sectors, that is, fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out details of the 2017 financial allocation under my Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme to each of the 7 Fisheries Local Action Groups. Some €12 million is available to the FLAGs over the course of the Programme.
On 8 June 2017, I announced the award by the 7 FLAGs of €2 million in grant aid to 153 projects nationwide. These projects have not yet drawn down funds. The FLAG scheme remains open for new applications.
|
FLAG |
Budget 2017 |
|
North |
390,000 |
|
North East |
263,944 |
|
North West |
267,834 |
|
West |
371,604 |
|
South |
396,000 |
|
South East |
298,400 |
|
South West |
306,000 |
|
Total |
2,293,782 |
983. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his view on of his Department’s approach to issues with live valuation scheme as laid out by an organisation (details supplied). [34789/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimals removed as reactors under the TB Eradication programme are valued by independent Valuers appointed to a panel following an open framework competition run in accordance with EU procurement guidelines. The farmer experiencing the disease breakdown chooses a Valuer from this panel and my Department provides the Valuer with weekly guideline summary prices. It is important that Valuers have access to up-to-date prices for use as a reference when valuing the current market value of animals. Under the terms of the TB Eradication Scheme, for purposes of livestock valuations of reactor animals “Market Value” is defined as the equivalent price which might reasonably have been obtained for the animal at the time of determination of compensation from a purchaser in an open market if the animal was not affected by TB or was not being removed as part of a depopulation under the disease eradication programme.
The prices compiled for breeding stock, both pedigree and non-pedigree, are based on prices collected by my Department officials at premier, dispersal, reduction and other special sales throughout the country. Each animal is evaluated individually and all of their details including age, breed, lactation number, pedigree, milk yield, overall merit (quality) etc, and their price is recorded and entered into a database to generate the weekly summary prices. Guideline prices for non-breeding/non pedigree beef stock are based on prices collected by Department Officials at 7 representative marts throughout the country (Bandon, Ennis, Kilkenny, Tullamore, Roscommon, Carnaross and Balla). The main factors affecting the quality of these types of animals are conformation, breeding, growth rate and development for age and as in the case of breeding stock, the details are recorded into the database used to generate the weekly summary prices.
An appeals process exists that provides for a second valuation to be conducted, by a different Valuer, where the first one is rejected by either the farmer or my Department. In cases where this appeal valuation is itself rejected by either party the case may be referred to an independent Arbitration Panel for final ruling. The relatively small number of valuations appealed by farmers annually indicates that farmers are satisfied that they were getting the correct market value for their cattle. In 2016, 3,958 individual valuations were carried out and of this only 59 (1.4%) were appealed by herdowners.
My Department reserves the right to and indeed we are obliged to monitor the performance of these Valuers to ensure that all valuations carried out are in line with the prices for similar animals being offered in the market place. This is to ensure that both exchequer and EU funds are properly disbursed. Officials of my Department refer to the Valuers Code of Practice to deal with the small number of Valuations which are non-compliant with the guidelines of the scheme.
An EU audit of the financial transactions under the TB Eradication Programme found that the prices being paid for reactor animals were fair and were in fact, in line with market prices. It should also be noted that for high merit animals the Valuer has discretion to value an animal above the guideline prices as long as the Valuer can justify and support the decision with sufficient documentary evidence.
My Department is continuously evaluating the efficiencies of the scheme to ensure we offer the most accurate market price information.
984. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the young farmers' scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34791/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted applications under the 2017 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. The Terms and Conditions of the 2017 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme state that an applicant must have successfully completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC Level 6 or its equivalent by 15th May 2017. The supporting document submitted by the person named as part of his application under the schemes stated that he would not have completed his agricultural education course by 15 May 2017.
On this basis the person named was deemed to be ineligible under the 2017 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme and was notified in writing of this decision. He was given the option to appeal this decision to my Department and an appeal has been received this week. This appeal will now be examined and the person named will be notified of the outcome in writing shortly.
985. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for consultation on the draft legislative provisions for his Department to transpose Directive 2014/52/EU (details supplied); the date on which such provisions are expected to be initiated; the basis on which these provisions will be introduced; if provisions related to the 2014/52/EU have already been made by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Planning, community and Local Government have taken the lead in the transposition and are in regular contact with the European Commission. This Department has transposed the Directive in respect of Forestry with effect from 24 May this year. We are now progressing with the transposition of the Directive into the Agriculture and Aquaculture sectors.
986. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1641 of 20 June 2017, the number of former Members who applied for board positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraVacancies on the boards of the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, other than those which are filled on the basis of nominations from specified organisations*, are advertised and processed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Details of applicants deemed to satisfy the qualifying criteria for positions advertised are notified to my Department by PAS.
I am not, therefore, privy to information in relation to all applicants. No former TDs have featured on any list of candidates provided to my Department by PAS.
*In the case the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Horse Racing Ireland, National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland some of the board appointments are made on the basis of nominations from various organisations as specified in the relevant statutes.
987. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the potential to redevelop the sugar beet industry; and the steps he is taking in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy way of explanation I would like to give the Deputy a short background to this issue. A temporary restructuring scheme was introduced with the aim of reducing EU sugar production. Greencore, the holder of the entire Irish sugar quota, availed of this voluntary scheme, dismantled its facilities and ceased production in 2006. Ireland secured €353 million as part of the reform package of which €220 million went to beet growers, €127 million to Greencore and €6 million to machinery contractors.
In 2011 my Department officials met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies into the possibility of establishing a new sugar and bioethanol production facility, using sugar beet, in this country. The figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, indicate that the overall capital costs involved could range from €250 million to €400 million, depending on what type of facility will be constructed.
My Department officials have informed both groups at the time and many times since that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility in Ireland, would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a sufficiently robust business case in order to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. My Government colleague Minister Coveney informed both groups at the time that it was his job to look for agreement at EU level to allow for the growing of sugar beet for the manufacture of sugar, at the earliest possible date.
In this connection, he secured agreement as part of the overall CAP reform package at the final EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, which he chaired in June 2013, to abolish all sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the current EU quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member State, wishing to re-establish a sugar industry.
The current Programme for a Partnership Government makes clear that “State enterprise bodies will be asked to examine any substantial business plans related to rebuilding the industry with a view to considering appropriate State supports” It is now up to those interested parties to move the project forward and to garner sufficient commercial and financial support to turn their plans into a viable reality.
988. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to address a situation whereby information is not made available to marts as to whether a bovine is eligible for export (details supplied) in particular regarding whether an animal has been presented at a previous mart in the preceding 30 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU legislation, cattle exported from Ireland within the EU (including to Northern Ireland) must complete a residency period on a holding prior to export.
The pre-export check carried out by my Department was modified on 3rd April to ensure that cattle presented for export comply with the legislation. A note informing industry of the changes to export checks was issued on 27th March. The Department provides livestock marts with real-time data from the AIM system indicating whether or not the animal is eligible for EU export markets, and this takes into account the 30-day residency period requirement. It is the responsibility of the marts to display accurately the information provided to it by AIM.
I called a meeting with live exporters earlier this year at which I stressed that my Department considers the live export sector to be of great importance, particularly given Brexit and the expansion of the dairy herd. At that meeting the 30-day residency period came up for discussion. A small number of minor technical and other anomalies were highlighted by exporters when the pre-export check was modified and have since been addressed; the new arrangements are operating with minimal disruption. The ongoing search for new third country markets is a priority for my Department and I welcome the fact that exports of live cattle to date in 2017 have increased by more than 40% compared to the same period last year.
989. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the 2017 areas of natural constraints scheme per county. [34888/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra109,766 applications have been received to date under the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme. Processing and validation of these applications is ongoing with a view to issuing payments to those cases which are eligible.
|
County |
No. of applicants |
|
Carlow |
951 |
|
Cavan |
4625 |
|
Clare |
5845 |
|
Cork |
10067 |
|
Donegal |
8357 |
|
Dublin |
255 |
|
Galway |
11526 |
|
Kerry |
7427 |
|
Kildare |
1090 |
|
Kilkenny |
2534 |
|
Laois |
2245 |
|
Leitrim |
3324 |
|
Limerick |
4057 |
|
Longford |
2266 |
|
Louth |
1016 |
|
Mayo |
11063 |
|
Meath |
2325 |
|
Monaghan |
3869 |
|
Offaly |
2701 |
|
Roscommon |
5432 |
|
Sligo |
3821 |
|
Tipperary |
5710 |
|
Waterford |
1907 |
|
Westmeath |
2781 |
|
Wexford |
2688 |
|
Wicklow |
1884 |
|
Total |
109766 |
990. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the grants in place for protected houses that are private dwellings for persons who wish to carry out energy efficiency improvements in view of the fact that protected houses are not eligible to apply under SEAI. [34103/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA protected structure is defined by Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as a building that a planning authority considers to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical point of view. Each planning authority maintains a list of such structures on a Record of Protected Structures. Any buildings so listed are not required to comply with Part L (conservation of fuel and energy) of the Building Regulations and do not require a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate for rental or sales purposes. However, that should not prevent owners of protected structures from undertaking energy efficiency improvements.
Homeowners must consult with the relevant Local Authority prior to commencement of energy efficiency works if the property is a protected structure as any works which would materially affect the character of protected structures require prior planning permission. However, once this condition is met, owners of a home that is a protected structure are eligible for grant support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who operate the Better Energy Homes scheme on behalf of my Department. This scheme provides fixed grants towards a range of energy efficiency measures including roof insulation, wall insulation, heating controls, boiler upgrades, solar heating systems and the cost of Building Energy Rating assessments.
991. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Ireland will support the findings and recommendations of the Aarhus Convention compliance committee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note the findings and recommendations adopted by the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee on 19 June 2017, with regard to communications ACCC/C/2013/91 and ACCC/C/2013/92, concerning compliance by the United Kingdom and Germany with their obligations under the Aarhus Convention in relation to public participation in the transboundary environmental impact assessment procedure for two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in the United Kingdom. The findings and recommendations were concluded in accordance with defined procedures and international law under the Aarhus Convention and, as part of that process, parties concerned are entitled to submit comments on the draft findings and to challenge issues of fact. Ireland is not a party to these proceedings and does not have a role in affirming or disputing the findings of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee. Officials from my Department will attend the next meeting of the Aarhus Committee in September.
