Written Answers Nos. 441-460
441. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the report, An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030, carried out by Teagasc; and his position on each recommendation proposed in the report. [27415/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have noted with interest and welcome the report to which the Deputy is referring. The report, along with the recommendations contained within it, are currently being examined by the relevant officials in my Department. The report highlights the potential for GHG abatement from the sector over the period from 2021 to 2030 based on current scientific knowledge against the likely level of future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if no action is taken to address emissions.
The report is an important piece of research that will inform developments in relation to the capacity to protect sustainability within the Food Wise 2025 strategy, the National Mitigation Plan, and the sectoral adaptation plan for the agriculture, forestry and seafood sector that are currently being worked upon. Furthermore, its analysis will also help inform ongoing discussions on CAP reform.
My Department is very aware of the challenges facing us regarding the need for the mitigation and reduction of GHG emissions, along with the requirement of ensuring that we are resilient and can adapt to climate change. With this in mind, it is more important than ever that our agricultural sector remains both climate and resource efficient.
At an overall level we are taking a whole of Government approach to climate policy. Officials from my Department work very closely with other Departments, in particular with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, which is the lead Department in this area.
442. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing the 2017 basic payment scheme and area of natural constraints payments to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27455/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for consideration under the both the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.
Land parcels declared by the person named on the 2017 BPS application were also declared by another party. Following examination of the matter, my Department requested additional information from the person named to support his declaration of the land parcels concerned on his application.
Legal documentation was submitted by the person named. However, it was not sufficient to finalise the processing of the 2017 BPS application as it did not include maps which were referred to in the legal documentation. The map in question has now been received and this has facilitated my Department completing the processing of the 2017 BPS application.
Payments due under the 2017 Basic Payment and the ANC schemes will issue shortly to the person named.
443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment due to a person (details supplied) under the AEOS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27565/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is a participant in the AEOS3 scheme. An inspection was carried out on 8 August 2016 and the participant was informed that there were non-compliances on each of the actions. A letter of findings issued on the 9 November 2016 advising the person named that the contract was rejected.
The person subsequently unsuccessfully requested a review by the Regional Inspector and also unsuccessfully appealed the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
The inspection findings were subsequently updated by the inspector involved and a new letter of findings issued to the person named. A review of these findings has now been requested and is being considered by the Regional Inspector.
444. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 25 January 2018, the reason there cannot be Irish language and Irish only food labels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe general framework for the labelling of food products has been established under Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011.
This Regulation requires, under Article 15, that the labelling of food products be provided "in a language easily understood by the consumers of the Member States where a food is marketed.”
Additionally, Member States can “stipulate that the particulars shall be given in one or more languages from among the official languages of the Union".
In the Irish context, S.I. No. 556 of 2014 (European Union (Provision of Food Information to Consumers) Regulations sets out, under Regulation 12, that labelling of food must be provided, at a minimum, in English with the option of additional labelling in the Irish language.
This national legislation was developed by the Department of Health to give effect to EU legislation on this issue which as outlined above is contained in Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011. In light of this, I have provided my colleague, Minister Harris, with a copy of your question and this reply for his consideration.
445. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27639/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review by the Director of Agriculture Appeals Office of the decision of the Appeals Officer has been requested in this case in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001. The Agriculture Appeals Office has indicated that requests for reviews are generally dealt with in order of receipt and that both the Department and the person named will be advised of the outcome when the review has been completed.
446. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27799/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCé nach bhfuil aon phost faoi leith i gceist i mo Roinnse i ndáil le hOifigeach Gaeilge, tá Aonad Gaeilge sa Roinn. Ina theannta sin, is poist ainmnithe Gaeilge iad sé cinn de na poist laistigh den Roinn. Dá bharr sin, tá an acmhainn iomchuí ag mo Roinnse le déileáil le haon ní i dtaobh na Gaeilge.
447. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will be allowed to plant a parcel of land. [27846/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named sought a felling licence to fell trees and convert the land to agricultural use. However the proposed alternative land was deemed unsuitable for forestry as it flooded.
Any other land that may be considered as an alternative to the felled site must receive prior approval for afforestation before the felling licence will issue. The new site in the townland named and any other land to make up the equivalent area to that on the felling licence application must be included in total on an application for afforestation submitted by a registered forester. That application will be examined through the normal process for afforestation licences.
448. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale behind continued licensing of fur farming here in view of the animal cruelty involved in caging mink in confined spaces without access to water although they are aquatic animals; if he has considered banning this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27890/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010 (Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are, in this regard, subject to the same animal welfare legislation as other livestock farmers.
A small number of Member States have imposed bans on mink farming, however the activity is common in many European Countries.
A review of all aspects of fur farming in Ireland was commissioned in November 2011. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group were:
(i) To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming;
(ii) To comment on the economic benefits of the sector;
(iii) To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and
(iv) To make appropriate recommendations.
The Review Group invited submissions from the public and interested parties and considered over four hundred submissions which were received.
The Group concluded that it did not find the arguments in favour of banning the farming of fur animals in Ireland compelling and recommended that instead, fur farming be allowed to continue under licence and subject to official control.
On foot of the Review Group’s deliberations, my Department introduced more rigorous controls on licence holders in the areas of animal welfare, animal accommodation, security and nutrient management. Licensees are subject to regular inspections, including unannounced inspections by the Department's Veterinary officers.
449. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer (details supplied) can plant land or sell the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27921/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the person named wishes to plant forestry on his land and is exploring the possibility of selling the land.
The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is the main scheme for afforestation and applications must be made through a Registered Forester. A list of registered foresters and scheme information is available on my Department’s website. Every proposed afforestation site is treated on its own merits and as such, it is not possible for me to give full information here on the potential of a particular site for afforestation.
Therefore, I would strongly urge anyone interested in planting forestry to contact a registered forester to arrange a site visit, where the possibilities for the site will be discussed in full. If the person named decides to go ahead with an application, the forester will complete the application process on his behalf. At no point in this initial application process is the land owner obliged to plant. If the site receives technical approval, the land owner may then decide to go ahead and plant, in which case the registered forester will make an application for financial approval.
With regard to selling the land, a land owner is free to decide how best to manage their land. However, forestry is a very worthwhile project for land owners, that provides a guaranteed premium for 15 years with income derived from the plantation at various stages throughout its lifetime.
450. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if personnel in his Department have been removed from their position, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27943/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department deals with disciplinary matters in accordance with the Civil Service Disciplinary Code.
When reaching a decision on what disciplinary action is appropriate, the nature and seriousness of the misconduct is considered, along with any mitigating circumstances. Careful consideration is given to the appropriate sanction, in cases where misconduct has been proven. The Code provides that one of the sanctions that may be imposed can be the reassignment to a different location or to different duties.
It is the case that personnel working in my Department have been transferred to a different location as part of a disciplinary process relating to breaches of departmental standards within the past four years.
I can confirm that in the past four years, no staff member within my Department has had their employment terminated due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct. However, a number of individuals who had commenced employment with the Department have had their employment terminated whilst on probation.
451. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The specific application referred to by the Deputy is currently the subject of Public and Statutory consultation in accordance with the applicable legislation.
As the application is under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter pending the completion of the licensing process.
452. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the on-farm developments that qualify for a TAMS grant under the health and safety measures. [28005/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TAMS II Scheme provides generous grant rates for a comprehensive range of investment items.
A wide range of Farm Safety related investments are grant-aided under the following measures - Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Tillage Capital Investment Scheme and the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. These items include:
- Protective Fence around existing tanks
- Safety Agitation platform for existing external tanks
- New Tank Cover over existing open tank
- Replacement and new Tank extension Cover
- Replacement and new manhole covers
- Replacement of damaged slats for cattle, sheep and pigs
- Removal of existing internal agitation point and replacement by gang slats
- Tank extension to provide external agitation point
- Circulation pipe (6") to allow for agitation of slurry
- Simple Aeration systems
- Calving Gate in Existing House
- Replacement of a hinged door/sheeted gate with a new sliding door/roller door on agricultural buildings.
- Safety Rails on Silo Walls
- Retrofitting roof-light with safety cages
- Wiring/Rewiring existing agricultural building
- Yard Lights (min 200 W equivalent, either metal halide or LED)
- Calf dehorning crate
- Horse Stocks
- Wheel changing equipment
- Wheel pumping crates
- Fixed cattle-handling facilities
- Fixed cattle enclosures
- Mobile cattle-handling facilities
- Fixed sheep-handling facilities
- Mobile sheep-handling facilities
- Leg hoist/lifter
- Head scoop unit
- Hydraulic motor to substitute PTO shaft
In addition, all animal housing and slurry storage facilities constructed under TAMS II include a range of health and safety-related elements that create a safer working environment on farms.
It is also mandatory for all applicants under TAMS II to complete a Farm Safety Course prior to payment of grant aid. Full details of all items grant aided under TAMS II are available on the Department's website.
453. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue to an application by a person (details supplied) under the TAMS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28017/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for grant-aid under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS on 23 February 2018. During administrative checks deficiencies were found due to no documentary evidence of grant of full planning permission being submitted at the time of application. Following a request for a review of the application the applicant requested to proceed with the investments applied for which do not require planning permission. The application is currently being checked for technical issues in the local office before approval issues.
454. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will be made on TAMS applications under tranche 10 of the scheme; the reason for the delay in processing the applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28018/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the applications that were received in Tranche 10 of the TAMS II Scheme which closed on 8 June 2018 are currently going through the required administrative checks. There are no delays in this process. Once the administrative checks are completed a ranking and selection process is carried out prior to the applications being examined in the local offices for technical issues.
455. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway with regard to an overclaim has been issued; if so, the outcome of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28079/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions relating to land eligibility under the BPS are set out annually in the Basic Payments Terms and Conditions Booklet as well as in the 2015 Guide to Land Eligibility booklet. Where land has been burned, it is not in a state suitable for an agricultural activity such as grazing or cultivation and therefore it is not eligible, except where controlled burning is carried out.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery. It is specified in the BPS Terms and Conditions that under the Wildlife Acts, growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1st March and 31st August of any given year, on any land not yet cultivated.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the person named on his 2017 BPS application have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes. Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an overclaim on the named person’s BPS application. The overclaimed land has been excluded from the named person's BPS application and he was paid on the remaining eligible hectares.
My Department received an appeal from the person named on 22 February 2018. This appeal was reviewed by my Department and additional information was requested from the person named – this information was received on 15 June 2018 and is currently being examined. A decision will issue directly to the person named shortly.
456. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway with regard to an overclaim has been issued; if so, the outcome of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions relating to land eligibility under the BPS are set out annually in the Basic Payments Terms and Conditions Booklet as well as in the 2015 Guide to Land Eligibility booklet. Where land has been burned, it is not in a state suitable for an agricultural activity such as grazing or cultivation and therefore it is not eligible, except where controlled burning is carried out.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery. It is specified in the BPS Terms and Conditions that under the Wildlife Acts, growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1st March and 31st August of any given year, on any land not yet cultivated.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the person named on his 2017 BPS application have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes. Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an overclaim on the named person’s BPS application. The overclaimed land has been excluded from the named person's BPS application and he was paid on the remaining eligible hectares.
The person named submitted an appeal and following review my Department has decided to waive the administrative penalty associated with his 2017 BPS application. However, the burnt land remains ineligible for payment.
The person named was informed of the decision on 12 April 2018 and was also given the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
457. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway with regard to an overclaim has been issued; if so, the outcome of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28081/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions relating to land eligibility under the BPS are set out annually in the Basic Payments Terms and Conditions Booklet as well as in the 2015 Guide to Land Eligibility booklet. Where land has been burned, it is not in a state suitable for an agricultural activity such as grazing or cultivation and therefore it is not eligible, except where controlled burning is carried out.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery. It is specified in the BPS Terms and Conditions that under the Wildlife Acts, growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1st March and 31st August of any given year, on any land not yet cultivated.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the person named on his 2017 BPS application have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes. Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an overclaim on the named person’s BPS application. The overclaimed land has been excluded from the named person's BPS application and he was paid on the remaining eligible hectares.
The person named submitted an appeal and following review my Department has decided to waive the administrative penalty associated with his 2017 BPS application. However, the burnt land remains ineligible for payment.
The person named was informed of the decision on 12 April 2018 and was also given the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
458. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway with regard to an overclaim has been issued; if so, the outcome of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28082/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conditions relating to land eligibility under the BPS are set out annually in the Basic Payments Terms & Conditions Booklet as well as in the 2015 Guide to Land Eligibility booklet. Where land has been burned, it is not in a state suitable for an agricultural activity such as grazing or cultivation and therefore it is not eligible, except where controlled burning is carried out.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery. It is specified in the BPS Terms & Conditions that under the Wildlife Acts, growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1st March and 31st August of any given year, on any land not yet cultivated.
As part of the process of determining land eligibility, parcels declared by the person named on his 2017 BPS application have been identified as having been burned outside of the permitted timeframes. Accordingly, such lands are not eligible for the purpose of a BPS payment and this has created an overclaim on the named person’s BPS application. The overclaimed land has been excluded from the named person's BPS application and he was paid on the remaining eligible hectares.
The person named submitted an appeal and following review my Department has decided to waive the administrative penalty associated with his 2017 BPS application. However, the burnt land remains ineligible for payment.
The person named was informed of the decision on 12 April 2018 and was also given the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
459. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the financial supports available for an insulation upgrade to a 1950s bungalow that is privately owned and the owners of which are not in receipt of fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27428/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Homes scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. It provides grant support for energy efficiency measures. Fixed grants are provided for a range of measures, including attic and wall insulation, heating controls, solar thermal technology and heat pumps. A bonus is offered where multiple measures are undertaken. More information on the full range of grants offered under the scheme is available: https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/better-energy-homes/, and interested homeowners can apply online. Homeowners can also receive funding for a whole-house energy efficiency upgrade through the Deep Retrofit Pilot. This pilot programme is funded by my Department and administered by SEAI. It commenced operation in 2017 with initial funding of €5 million, and is set to operate up to 2019. The programme aims to investigate the challenges and opportunities of deep retrofit in Ireland’s housing stock and is designed to inform an affordable offering for high quality retrofit to individual homeowners across Ireland.
Grant funding will be provided for deep retrofit projects that include groups of 5 or more houses. Applications are currently accepted from organisations such as local authorities, energy agencies, community groups and other deep retrofit providers. The scheme will cover up to 50% of total capital and project management costs for retrofit projects which meet SEAI’s project evaluation criteria. Funding of up to 95% of total capital and project management costs will be provided for projects involving voluntary housing association homes and homes that are in energy poverty. Successful projects must deliver a minimum Building Energy Rating of A3 and must incorporate renewable heating solutions.
Detailed information on grant support, evaluation criteria, the application process and a list of providers who are currently working with the scheme are all publicly available on SEAI’s website. https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/deep-retrofit-programme/.
460. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being caused to rural businesses and rural communities by the lack of high speed broadband in counties Roscommon and Galway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27473/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the impact that a lack of reliable high speed broadband has on people throughout Ireland, including in Galway and Roscommon. The Government's NBP aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The Intervention Area for the State led intervention, coloured AMBER on my Department's High Speed Broadband Map (www.broadband.gov.ie) shows those premises that will not receive this service without Government intervention. Information on specific categories of premises can be accessed by entering the relevant eircode into the Map.
There are over 38,500 premises in Co Roscommon of which 47% of premises (c.18,000) are in the Intervention Area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. The remaining 53% of premises (over 20,500) will be served by commercial operators. 12% of Roscommon premises are still due to receive high speed broadband under eir’s ongoing planned rural deployment, which has already deployed to around 3,400 premises in the county.
There are over 134,000 premises in Co Galway of which 29% of premises (c. 39,000) are in the Intervention Area and will be part of the State led Intervention under the NBP. The remaining 71% of premises (c. 95,000) will be served by commercial operators. 11% of Galway premises are due to receive high speed broadband under eir’s planned rural deployment, which has already deployed to around 13,800 premises in the county.
A full set of county statistics are available at www.broadband.gov.ie.
Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie.
Data for Q1 2018 recently submitted by eir to my Department indicates that the company passed more than 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. Officials from my Department continue to meet with eir on monthly basis to review the company’s performance on their ongoing rural deployment project in line with their obligations under the April 2017 Commitment Agreement. eir has signalled that there would be likely knock-on effects to the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma. I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. The Department of Rural and Community Development maintain a list of Broadband Officers, a link to which is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/Pages/NBP-Information-Leaflets.aspx.
