Written Answers Nos 707-723
707. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied) will issue; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12242/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of January 1 2016 and has received all payments in respect of the 2016 scheme year including GLAS Plus payments.
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 in this case 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.
708. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports and-or grant aid that will be available to farmers and horticulturists whose property was damaged during Storm Emma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12286/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra737. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial assistance will be provided to horticulturists whose sheds, glasshouses or polytunnels sustained damage during Storm Emma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12592/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 737 together.
Throughout the period of adverse weather conditions caused by storm Emma, my Department was directly involved in a co-ordinated response as a member of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), convened by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the lead Government Department on Severe Weather Incidents.
While the South and East of the country bore the brunt of the storm and its after effects, many other areas experienced disruptions to daily life and the business of farming to a greater or lesser degree. Throughout this period and immediately afterwards Department staff, together with Teagasc worked at local level to ensure that the farming community had access to the best advice on how to cope with the numerous issues thrown up by the storm.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the significant assistance the farming community provided within the wider local community at this busy time as they looked in on neighbours, cleared roads and helped to restore access to more remote rural areas.
In the aftermath of the storm as the sector slowly returned to normal it became clear that the main problem centred on damage to horticulture and other on-farm structures. Such structures will principally be insured and it is important that insurance companies respond rapidly and flexibly to the needs of their farmer customers. It is important to emphasise that public support cannot be provided for insurable risks.
In order to respond where possible to the issue of structural damage I believe that it is appropriate to recognise supports already available through current on-farm investment support schemes operated by my Department and I have asked my officials to examine these in the context of Storm Emma as a matter of urgency.
709. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he requested the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to submit proposals for changing the state aid thresholds at EU level ahead of the next state aid modernisation working group meeting which takes place here on 27 April 2018; and his plans to protect Irish enterprises, exporting companies and related jobs from a hard Brexit World Trade Organization scenario and other negative trading scenarios as outlined in the recent Copenhagen economics report. [12301/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request at European level changes to state aid thresholds at EU level in order to protect Irish enterprises, exporting companies and related jobs from a hard Brexit World Trade Organization scenario following the EU Council's draft guidelines published on 7 March 2018, in which it confirmed that due to the UK’s position of refusing customs union and Single Market solutions the UK is hurtling towards third country status; and if he has made this request to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. [12302/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 709 and 710 together.
Brexit poses enormous challenges for the agri-food and fisheries sectors by virtue of their exposure to the UK market, as confirmed by numerous studies, including by the ESRI, Department of Finance and, most recently, by Copenhagen Economics.
I and my Department have been engaging extensively with these sectors since the UK Referendum vote through my Department’s Stakeholder Consultative Committee, the All-Island Civic Dialogue process and ongoing bilateral contacts. Among the many issues that have been raised is the question of how to facilitate potential measures that would, for example, support market and product diversification by companies, given the restrictions imposed by EU State Aid rules.
Following a meeting last November between the then Tánaiste and Commissioner Vestager (who has responsibility for EU State Aid policy) a Working Group was established to examine this area. This Working Group comprises representatives from DG Competition, the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland and my Department. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. The Working Group has met three times and in between these meetings, there has been engagement on specific issues in order to continue to progress matters. Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing State Aid rules, this will be raised as part of the Working Group discussions.
711. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the proposed changes to the €15,000 state aid threshold for farmers at EU Council level. [12303/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission launched its public consultation process on the agriculture de minimis Regulation EU (No) 1408/2013, on 1 March 2018 and which runs until 16 April 2018. As part of the consultation process, the Commission is proposing to amend some of the provisions and conditions contained within the current Regulation.
The main proposal is that the individual threshold limit of €15,000 over a period of three fiscal years be increased to €25,000 and the national threshold limit be increased from €66,280,00 to €111,134,500.
I am pleased to see that an increase in the threshold limits is now being proposed and I look forward to the outcome of the Commission's public consultation process on this matter.
712. 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); 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. [12306/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll payments are up to date for this applicant.
713. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans with regard to the suckler industry here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12326/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am a strong advocate of supporting a vibrant and productive national suckler herd. The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some 300 million euro in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period. This scheme, which was introduced in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 EU Regulation 1305/2013, is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd. So far under this programme approximately 135 million euro has been paid out to farmers and this Government will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP.
In relation to existing funding, under Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) my Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the 4 billion euro Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmer also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
In relation to any potential funding over and above existing supports to farmers under the current CAP, I again stress:
There are no surplus funds available within the RDP above and beyond the funding already allocated, which has been committed to existing schemes within the RDP. Therefore, any additional supports under the RDP would require cuts to other RDP schemes and /or additional exchequer funding. RDP schemes, including the existing BDGP are based on costs incurred and income foregone by participants. Every scheme, or scheme adjustment, under the RDP must be justified and approved by the European Commission on the basis of additional actions and income foregone by farmers.
Any allocation of funding under Pillar I of the CAP for a coupled payment would in principle require a linear reduction to all existing farmers Basic Payment Scheme payments for redistribution.
I am not of the view that taking already committed money from farmers under the CAP is an appropriate means by which to support suckler farmers.
Any attempt to introduce a fully exchequer funded scheme would require approval by the European Commission under State Aid regulations and would need to comply with our obligations under WTO rules. The introduction of such an additional scheme funded directly from exchequer funds, would in any event not be possible under the current budgetary resources available to my Department.
I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring Irish beef has access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and processed beef, is the most appropriate way to support the continued development of the sector. This sector according to the Teagasc National Farm survey for 2016 received support equivalent to approximately 500 euro per suckler cow.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP post 2020. However my strong view is that any such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
714. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 411 of 8 March 2018, the expected budgeted spend for the TAMS scheme in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12392/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the previous PQs (number 11062/18 and 11063/18 of 8 March 2018) the actual spend for TAMS II was €3.9m for 2016 and the actual spend in 2017 was €31.3m. The respective budget allocations were €28m for 2016 and €50m for 2017.
Payments cannot issue until the approved works have been completed and a payment claim is submitted by or on behalf of the approved applicant to the online system.
715. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the delays that are occurring in recruitment and placement of technical agricultural officers in the eastern region; the reasons for such delays; the steps being taken to address this issue in order that the industry is not restricted in its daily activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12394/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe competition for the role of Technical Agricultural Officer is being administered by the Public Appointments Service on behalf my Department. The competition was advertised in April 2016. Following an initial assessment involving remote testing of all candidates, the first batch of 150 candidates were called to verification testing and interview. 70 successful candidates emerged from this process and to date approximately 40 candidates have been appointed from that round.
A second round of testing and interviews was conducted in 2017 from which a further batch of 70 candidates became available. Of these, approximately 31 candidates have been appointed. The process of appointing candidates from rounds 1 and 2 continues and a number of additional candidates are currently undergoing final checks before appointment.
A third and final round is in progress, involving approximately 125 candidates.
As part of the selection process, candidates were asked to select three counties in order of preference in which they would be willing to serve. It is inevitable that some of the remaining candidates have selected locations that have already been filled by other candidates and may be unwilling to take up appointments that involve greater commuting distances.
Some of the counties in the eastern region did not attract high levels of interest from candidates or candidates who selected those counties were unsuccessful in the assessment process. A number of candidates withdrew from the competition at various stages.
A significant number of candidates have now been appointed or are in process of being appointed. It is anticipated that the ongoing round 3 of the competition will make available a further group of candidates who will take up appointments in the locations remaining to be filled.
716. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS training course payments will issue to farmers and their advisers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12396/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach GLAS participant who completes the one day GLAS Training Course is eligible for a payment of €158. The approved GLAS Training Provider is eligible for a payment of €80 per course participant.
To date the Department has issued course participant payments of almost €6m and €1.38m to Training Providers.
Issues arose regarding the registration of the payment account details of the GLAS Training Course Provider named. These issues have now been resolved and payments due will be issued shortly.
717. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a payment under the 2017 GLAS scheme has not issued to a farmer (details supplied), despite the fact that they have been informed that their GLAS claim is cleared for payment; 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12421/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of January 1 2017.
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.
In the examination of this case issues arose with regard to the Traditional Hay Meadow and Dry Stone Wall actions. Once this case clears the required validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis.
718. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay to date; the steps he is taking to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12422/18]
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 2015 and 2016.
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 in this case 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.
719. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay to date; the steps he is taking to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12423/18]
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 2015 and 2016.
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 in this case to allow for the issue of payment. Once this case clears validations the 2017 advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis.
720. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive outstanding GLAS payments. [12424/18]
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 2015 and 2016 including GLAS Plus payments.
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 in this case 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.
721. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications made to his Department by farmers in County Mayo for the fodder transport scheme; the number of applications that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12434/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fodder Transport Support measure was announced in January 2018. The measure aims to provide a contribution towards the cost of transporting fodder, sourced through the Co-operatives, from areas of surplus to those areas in need, located primarily in the West and North West.
To date no applications have been received from County Mayo. The closing date for applications under the measure is 20 April.
722. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the bad weather that recently hit Leinster and Munster has affected the fodder transport scheme; if so, the way in which it has been affected; the measures he has put in place to ensure the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12435/18]
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 primarily 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 29 2018 until April 20 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. 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. Whilst recognising that the recent bad weather has impacted on the commencement of spring grass growth in many areas of the country, I am satisfied that adequate quantities of fodder remain currently available in the country at present, including that which is required to underpin the Fodder Transport Scheme. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.
723. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) will receive an outstanding GLAS and GLAS plus payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12444/18]
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 2015 and 2016.
The Department is aware of an issue with this case with the 2016 GLAS Plus and 2017 advance payments. A solution has been identified and work is underway to resolve the case. Once implemented the 2016 GLAS Plus payment will issue. The 2017 advance will follow. GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.
