Written Answers Nos. 396-419
396. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans for a voluntary farm building relocation scheme due to flooding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11622/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, last year announced the introduction of a once-off targeted Voluntary Homeowner Relocation Scheme. As part of the announcement the Minister outlined that a feasibility study would be undertaken in relation to a potential once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation
The study to determine the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation is being undertaken. My Department is evaluating at risk farmyards, impacted by flooding, to see if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect farm buildings at risk of flooding. The study will be used to determine the feasibility of any future scheme and potential criteria. At this point it is not possible to identify the individual circumstances that will be covered by any potential flood damage support measure.
397. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated here to funds (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2020; and the amount spent in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018 in tabular form including the breakdown between Exchequer funding and EU funding to same. [11684/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has asked for a considerable amount of information which is being compiled at present and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
398. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a GLAS payment for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. The applicant has received all payments in respect of scheme years 2015 and 2016.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear these checks before payment can issue. My Department is working proactively to complete the checks required and once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
399. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive an organics payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10848/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) with a contract commencement date of 1 June 2015. The applicant has received all payments in respect of scheme years 2015 and 2016.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all OFS claims. All cases must clear these checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks required and once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made.
400. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the hen harrier scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response to the new locally led Hen Harrier Programme has been very positive, with 1,387 valid applications received up to February 28th 2018. This is a pilot project, under the European Innovation Programme, designed and managed by a locally led team and supported by my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Recruitment of farmers into the new programme is being done on a phased basis. A selection process has been in train since December 2017 with 266 applicants offered a place so far. This process will continue throughout 2018 and into 2019.
The response to date shows that farmers in the targeted areas have welcomed the new approach, and I am glad that the information events organised and delivered by the Hen Harrier Team have generated such interest. This new programme, along with the supports already available through GLAS for farmers with hen harrier habitat, will further the conservation of the bird as well as providing an important additional income stream for farmers in designated areas.
401. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of payments in ranges (details supplied) in each of the years 2008 to 2017. [10883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
402. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme, GLAS, payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2016 and has received all payments in respect of 2016.
All GLAS claims must clear validation checks before payment can be made. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks to minimise delays to payments. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the transport subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo address an identified shortfall of fodder in certain areas of the West and North-West of the country, I introduced a targeted Fodder Transport Support Measure, operated through the Co-operative structure. The measure provides a contribution towards the cost of transporting fodder from areas of surplus to those areas in need, primarily in the West and North West, based on assessment by Teagasc. This measure applies from January 29th 2018 until April 20th 2018.
While the areas identified by Teagasc as being the most affected are predominantly located in parts of the West and North West, the measure is not county specific within the region. Teagasc is also monitoring the fodder situation in adjoining areas and will carry further assessments if necessary. As with all measures, certain criteria apply. Farmers, within the region identified by Teagasc as having a significant fodder shortage and having completed a fodder budgeting exercise with their FAS agricultural advisor, will be eligible to receive a financial contribution of €8 per standard 4x4 bale of hay or straw for feeding and €12 per standard 4x4 bale of silage or haylage.
This contribution is payable towards the additional cost of transporting fodder sourced through the Co-operative system. Farmers will still pay the cost of the fodder in the normal way. Only the shortfall in fodder will be eligible to receive support under the measure.
It is important to emphasise that this is a very targeted and locally focused measure, centring on areas of fodder scarcity where normal local trading in fodder cannot service. At present the southern part of the country has not been identified by Teagasc as an area that is currently experiencing a significant fodder shortage and reports indicate that there is currently adequate fodder available within the region. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.
404. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied) in view of the fact that the farmer has been informed that there is no issue with his GLAS claim; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden being placed on farmers as a result of the delay in issuing GLAS payments in a timely manner especially in circumstances in which farmers are fully compliant with the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10959/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payments in respect of 2015 and 2016 including GLAS Plus payments.
There was an issue with Commonage Management Plan to be submitted by the applicant but the Department contacted the applicant's advisor directly and this requirement has now been satisfied. The 2017 advance payment is expected to issue shortly.
405. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of suckler farmers who have quality assurance. [10990/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme which the Deputy refers to is operated by An Bord Bia and is called the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS). The 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
The scheme includes beef and sheepmeat and does not differentiate livestock relating strictly to suckler herds. I understand that at the end of 2017 there was 51,500 applicants accredited to the scheme. Information relating to operational matters can be obtained from Bord Bia by mailing them at info@bordbia.ie.
406. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an inspection arising from a technicality which has been immediately rectified and certified under the TAMS 2 scheme for a farmer (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10994/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicants in question applied under TAMS ll Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme for grant aid to construct animal housing, slatted tank and circulation pipe. The application was submitted on 24 June 2016, and approval to carry out the proposed works issued on 11 November 2016. Claim for grant payment on completed works was submitted on 10 January 2018. Queries raised by the local office were resolved on 20 February 2018. The application is being further processed and payment will issue in due course.
407. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied) in view of the fact that they had been informed that there was no issue with their GLAS claim; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden being placed on farmers such as this farmer as a result of the delay in issuing GLAS payments in a timely manner especially in circumstances in which farmers are fully compliant with the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10995/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage over 97% of all GLAS participants are fully up to date with their payments and my Department is working through the remaining participants with new payments issuing each week. The above person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received the advance payment in respect of 2015.
The Department is aware of an issue that has prevented the processing of further payments to this participant and is working to resolve the issue. GLAS payments will continue to issue on a weekly basis.
408. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 23 January 2018, when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received payments in respect of the 2015 scheme year as well as the 2016 advance payment.
An inspection was carried out in relation to the GLAS participation of the person named. As a result of the inspection a penalty was applied to this case. The Department is aware of an issue that has affected the conclusion of this case.
The person named has also been advised that, if they are dissatisfied with the outcome of the inspection, they have the option to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
409. Deputy Charlie McConalogue 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. [11043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage over 97% of eligible GLAS participants are fully up to date with their payments and my Department is working through the remaining participants with new payments issuing each week.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis.
410. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the spend on the TAMS scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11062/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of the number of applications that have been approved which now stands at over 13,000. Payments cannot issue until the approved works have been completed and a payment claim is submitted to the online system.
Expenditure on TAMS II in 2016 was €3.9m and in 2017 was €31.3m. 2018 has seen a significant acceleration on the spend with €9.3m paid out this year to date. To date the total spent on TAMS II Schemes is €44.5m.
411. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budgeted spend for the TAMS scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11063/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of the number of applications that have been approved which now stands at over 13,000. Payments cannot issue until the approved works have been completed and a payment claim is submitted to the online system.
Expenditure on TAMS II in 2016 was €3.9m and in 2017 was €31.3m. 2018 has seen a significant acceleration on the spend with €9.3m paid out this year to date. To date the total spent on TAMS II Schemes is €44.5m.
412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of implementing the TAMS scheme to include the staff and expert fees that developed the scheme in addition to the cost of the information technology infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS II is one of a number of schemes rolled out across the Department under the Rural Development Programme. As with other RDP schemes, a range of Department staff have inputted and continue to input to both the design and implementation of the scheme from areas such as policy development, IT and the inspectorate.
Given the number of these schemes commencing and in operation at any one time and also the residual infrastructure from previous RDP schemes which is used for schemes under the current Programme, it is not possible to accurately disaggregate the figures requested from the overall expenditure to outline the costs for any single scheme.
To date, the TAMS scheme is operating extremely efficiently and over 13,000 approvals have issued to farmers across the country to invest in the infrastructure of their farms. Payments are now averaging over €1m per week to farmers.
413. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to carry out an independent investigation following complaints regarding the treatment of animals in a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11151/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have responsibility for the management of facilities such as the facility detailed. Enforcement of welfare standards for animals, including dogs, comes under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. My Department maintains a close working relationship with local authorities on dog welfare matters and has consulted with the relevant local authorities who avail of the services of the enterprise referenced, all of whom have indicated that the facility is maintained to a very high standard and has passed all recent unannounced veterinary inspections and will continue to be monitored closely.
414. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persistently infected bovines with BVD over the age of six months currently on farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11157/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herds that have persistently infected bovines with BVD over the age of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11158/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra416. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persistently infected bovines with BVD over the age of 12 months that were slaughtered at meat processing plants here in each of the years 2014 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11159/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 to 416, inclusive, together.
The National Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) Eradication Programme is an industry led programme delivered by Animal Health Ireland (AHI). The Eradication Programme has a legislative basis which is set out in S.I. No. 30 of 2017 the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Regulations 2017. This requires that all animals born on or after 1 January 2013 must be tested for the presence of the BVD virus.
My Department offers financial supports to farmers to encourage early disposal of Persistently Infected(PI) animals. Progress to date with the programme has been excellent and a very high percentage of herds comply with the requirement to test their calves. The incidence of (PI) animals has fallen each year from 0.66 % in 2013 where 13,877 animals were reported as PI animals, to 0.1% (2,391 PI animals) in 2017. The incidence of PI animals to date in 2018 is 0.05%.
According to the information available to my Department there are currently six PI animals, over six months of age, in six herds.
417. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied) despite the fact that the farmer has been informed that there is no issue with their GLAS claim; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden being placed on farmers such as this farmer as a result of the delay is issuing GLAS payments in a timely manner especially in circumstances in which farmers are fully compliant with the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11163/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full payments in respect of 2015 and 2016 scheme years.
All GLAS claims must clear validation checks before payment can be made. My Department is working proactively to complete the checks required to allow for the issue of payments. Once this case clears the validations the 2017 advance payment will be processed. GLAS payments are issuing on a weekly basis.
418. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a sheep welfare scheme action in respect of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry can be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11216/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced in December 2016 to support the delivery of flock health benefits in the sheep sector. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, applicants to the scheme are required to carry out two actions based on the type of stock (Lowland or Hill) held.
The person named was categorised as a Hill flock based on the ratio of stock held and reported in the Annual Sheep Census 2015. The Department is conducting a review of this application and has contacted the applicant directly on the matter. The applicant has set out details regarding his farming practices and the category of stock now held and is forwarding additional information to the Department in this regard. Following receipt of the additional information, the matter will be reviewed and an official from my Department will contact the applicant directly.
419. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Article 50(3) of CAP regulation 1307/2013 stipulates that educational requirements for farmers are optional for member states; if so, if he will consider allowing students who sit exams for educational courses who qualify as young farmers for a green certificate before the end of 2018 be eligible to apply to the 2018 national reserve and young farmers scheme before the upcoming May 2018 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 50(3) of EU Regulation 1307/2013 stipulates that “Members States may define further objective and non-discriminatory eligibility criteria for young farmers applying for the payment for young farmers as regards appropriate skills and/or training requirements”.
With regard to the National Reserve, Article 30(11) of EU Regulation 1307/2013 stipulates that “Member States may establish their own additional objective and non-discriminative eligibility criteria for this category of farmers as regards appropriate skills, experience or education ”.
Since the introduction of the Single Payments Scheme in 2005 Ireland has applied a requirement that successful applicants under the National Reserve must have an appropriate agricultural educational qualification. Successful applicants are required to have completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent. This requirement is in place to ensure that National Reserve and Young Farmer Scheme funding is targeted at bona fide young farmers. 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. Ireland was required to notify the EU Commission of the additional educational criteria being applied to the schemes in 2015.
The EU Commission subsequently advised Ireland that the flexible arrangements that would allow an applicant to commence their agricultural education after the date of submission of an application under the National Reserve and/or Young Farmers Scheme did not fit with the ‘annual logic of the Direct Payments’ and was a risk of non-compliance with Regulatory requirements. Therefore, successful applicants under the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme in both 2017 and 2018 must have completed their agricultural educational qualification by the closing date for receipt of applications of 15th May in the respective year.
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 my 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.
Decisions in relation to the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme, including educational qualification requirements, are made in consultation with the Direct Payments Advisory Committee which includes members of the main farming bodies, and agricultural education and advisory services.
