Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:588. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions in farm schemes to provide mental health advice and supports in this area. [32200/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services
Ceisteanna (588)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive provides a wide range of community and hospital based mental health services in Ireland and can be contacted at 1850 24 1850.
While my Department does not have any direct provisions for mental health in the various farm schemes it operates, it does however provide on-going initiatives which would indirectly alleviate mental health related pressures for individuals and farm families alike.
For example, in order to assist families who have suffered a sudden loss or serious illness, and who may not have experience in dealing with the type of day to day issues that might bring them in contact with the Department in relation to schemes and services, a single point of contact has been established in the Department’s Inheritance Enquiry Unit. Every assistance and guidance possible will be provided to make contact/dealings with the Department as easy and as straightforward as possible for the family or legal representatives.
Contact details for the Service are as follows:
Phone: 0761 064428
E-mail: inheritance@agriculture.gov.ie
Teagasc provide a Tragic Event Service for Family Farms (TESFF) to offer support to farm families. In the aftermath of tragic events on farms leading to death or serious injury, advisors will offer their support without additional cost to affected families. The key areas of support are as follows.
- Technical support to ensure that the family can make the critical management decisions in time and ensure that the farm can continue to operate at a reasonable level of performance.
- Farm Financial Business support in dealing with bankers, accountants and Revenue.
- Support in working with my Department in relation to the various Schemes and Services available to ensure that the farm continues to participate in and receive its entitlements under various schemes.
- Structural Changes to assist the farm family stabilise the farm so that it can function effectively, this may mean changing the system of farming, scaling down or employing additional hired labour.
To avail of the service farm families should contact their local Teagasc office.
Social support has been shown to both alleviate mental distress and help solve farming problems. I would urge all farmers to stay in contact with a health professional through having a regular health check-up and seek professional help when any health issues, mental or physical, arise.
Basic Payment Scheme
Ceisteanna (589)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:589. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek approval at EU level for an increase in the advance basic payment to 75% and an 85% advance on rural development measures. [32201/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Article 75(1) of EU Council Regulation 1306/2013 states that Member States may, prior to 1 December but not before 16 October, pay advances of up to 50% for direct payments and of up to 75% for support granted under rural development.
Article 75(3) of this regulation provides that the Commission may derogate from these provisions in the event of an emergency. Cognisant of the extreme weather conditions this year my Department has recently submitted an application to the Commission seeking a derogation to make advance payments of up to 70% for direct payments and of up to 85% for support granted under rural development. These rates are in line with those approved by the Commission in some previous years. A response is awaited from the Commission.
Rural Development Programme Data
Ceisteanna (590)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:590. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocated and projected expenditure for each RDP scheme under the 2014–2020 RDP for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [32202/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below:
|
RDP scheme |
2018 Allocation/ Projected expenditure |
|
Knowledge Transfer Group |
23,000,000 |
|
GLAS Training |
7,836,858 |
|
BDGP Training |
481,760 |
|
CPD for advisors |
300,000 |
|
TASAH Advisory |
981,000 |
|
Setting up POs |
75,000 |
|
TAMS II |
69,950,455 |
|
AEOS (Transitional) |
528,735 |
|
GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings |
1,000,000 |
|
GLAS |
195,151,942 |
|
Burren Programme |
3,500,000 |
|
BGDP |
47,399,240 |
|
REPS/AEOS (transitional) |
4,245,725 |
|
OFS (inc. “Old” OFS) |
10,499,185 |
|
Old Natura (transitional) |
1,094,110 |
|
ANC incl Island |
226,701,570 |
|
Sheep Welfare Scheme |
20,000,000 |
|
General EIPs |
2,500,000 |
|
Locally Led HH and FWPM |
5,200,000 |
|
Locally Led Env and Climate |
950,000 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
492,375 |
|
LEADER |
40,000,000 |
|
Tech Assistance |
1,350,000 |
|
Burren Team |
1,050,000 |
|
ERS |
1,000,000 |
The above are the total allocations for 2018 for the schemes. In a few cases, small parts of the allocation and expenditure for schemes are not co-funded.
The distribution of the allocations for each of the years will only be confirmed as part of each annual Estimates process. The 2019 process is currently under way.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (591)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:591. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s spending review of the TAMS 2 scheme (details supplied). [32203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The level of expenditure within the TAMS II Schemes is being monitored and approvals and payments continue on an on going basis.
The budget allocation for the RDP period is €395m. The annual budget allocations are the subject of discussions with DPER.
A spending review of the TAMS Schemes was undertaken by DPER in October 2017. At that stage the level of drawdown was relatively low compared to the approvals that were in place for investments under the Scheme. The current situation is that weekly payments in the past 8 months have averaged over €1.1m in respect of completed investments. Expenditure on the Scheme to date has reached €64m. The Department has taken steps to address the unpredictability of expenditure under the Scheme by shortening the window between the date of approval and submission of payment claim for works completed.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (592)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:592. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he plans to introduce grant aid for feed bins for the drystock sector similar to that available in the dairy sector. [32204/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The TAMS II Scheme has been very successful to date in terms of uptake with the number of approvals that have issued reaching 15,000. All of these approvals represent committed expenditure and until such time as these approvals are acted upon or expire the budget for TAMS must include provision for the potential expenditure involved.
Of the applications approved just over 5,000 payment claims have been received to date. Payment claims submitted continue to be paid on an on-going basis. All participants who have completed approved works have been urged to submit their payment claims immediately to facilitate early payment. Until the approvals issued to applicants are acted upon and payment claims are submitted or expire without a payment claim being submitted the budgetary position is that additional investment items cannot be accommodated within the RDP budget.
There are no plans currently to introduce feed bins for the drystock sector in the TAMS II Schemes.
Food Prices
Ceisteanna (593)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:593. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the formal position Ireland took with respect to the European Commission’s decision for SMP intervention tendering to move to twice a month; and if this is a change for 2018 only. [32206/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, in recent years the EU has accumulated large amounts of public intervention stocks of skimmed milk powder (SMP), which are overhanging the dairy market and providing negative effects on wider dairy markets and market sentiment.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/2080 which initially opened the sale of skimmed milk powder by a tendering procedure provided for two partial invitations to tender per month, except for August and December. However due to a lower than anticipated interest in tenders for the sale of SMP Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/472 amended Regulation 2016/2080 by reducing the number of periods during which tenders may be submitted to one per month and eliminating the provision for such a period in the month of August.
Recent sales from public intervention stocks of SMP have seen a total of approx 90 000 tonne released to-date in 2018. This is, I believe, a positive step in dealing with these stocks and reflects an overall stabilisation of the market for SMP.
The Commission has decided that as a result of the increased interest from potential buyers of SMP, and the experience gained with the partial invitations to tender thus far in 2018 that it is appropriate to restore the number of periods during which tenders may be submitted and to provide for such a period in the month of August.
This will facilitate and expedite the sale of further SMP stocks, and my Department supported the Commission's efforts in this regard, allowing for two tenders for sale from SMP intervention stock in each month from October 2018, except for August, September and December. This reversion to the original provisions regarding the tenders of the sale of SMP is not limited to 2018 only.
I have previously called on the Commission to remain vigilant in monitoring the market situation and be ready and have contingencies in place in the event of market volatility re-emerging. I am satisfied that this has been the case to-date. My Department will continue to work with our partners in the industry to develop measures which can minimise the effects of price volatility in the future and ensure sustainable growth.
Living Wage Implementation
Ceisteanna (594)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:594. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.90 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32215/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on the introduction of a minimal threshold hourly rate of €11.90, the estimated additional annual payroll cost for staff employed by my Department would be approximately €500,000. It should be noted that this figure does not include the costs associated with the employment of temporary Clerical Officers who are engaged from time to time.
The remuneration of employees of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the bodies themselves. I have requested that this information be provided within ten working days.
Equine Identification Scheme
Ceisteanna (595)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:595. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to enforce the time limit for the registration of newly born foals; if he is satisfied that the arrangements are beneficial to both stud owners in the collection of stud fees and the equine industry at large; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32289/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The rules governing the timescale within which equines must be identified are determined at EU level. Commission Implementing Regulation 262/2015 (CR 262/2015), which has been effective since 1st January 2016, lays down the rules regarding the identification of equines. This legislation was transposed into national law via S.I. 62 of 2016.
Article 12(1) of CR 262/2015 provides that all equine animals must be identified with a passport no later than 12 months from the date of birth of the animal, and in any event, before moving permanently from the holding of origin.
Equine passports are issued by Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) approved by my Department. Information available from these organisations suggest that high rates of compliance are being achieved with regard to the identification rules. These strengthened rules on the identification of equines are generally held to be beneficial to the industry at large. However engagements between stud owners and keepers are commercial arrangements which do not involve my Department.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (596)
Martin Kenny
Ceist:596. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans in relation to maturing forests that were planted on mountain and bog lands which will not be permitted to be replanted once they are felled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In certain situations, trees and forests may be incompatible with the conservation of protected habitats and species at a site and/or at national level. In these cases deforestation may be considered. For example, the continuation (via reforestation) of forest cover on a particular site within an SAC may be deemed incompatible with the maintenance and restoration of a particular habitat for which that SAC was designated. Where this situation arises a condition of the felling licence may include an order not to replant.
Civil Service Staff Data
Ceisteanna (597)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Ceist:597. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the ratio of men and women at each Civil Service grade within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The recruitment of staff into my Department is administered centrally by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) via advertised competitions for all grades. My Department, as part of its workforce plan, offers mobility and promotional opportunities for staff through its internal competitions programme. The selection processes for all competitions run by PAS and by my Department are in accordance with the "Code of Practice for the Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service" published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. All recruitment and promotional campaigns follow best practice guidelines to ensure probity, fairness, transparency and equality.
The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below:
|
Grade (and equivalents) |
Ratio Male |
Ratio Female |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
4 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
2.1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1.3 |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1.2 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
0.8 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
0.8 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
0.8 |
1 |
|
Services Officer |
6 |
1 |
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (598, 606)
Robert Troy
Ceist:598. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the eel fisherman compensation scheme. [31787/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:606. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a compensation scheme for eel fishermen will be finalised; and the eligibility criteria for same. [32140/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 606 together.
Ireland’s Eel Management Plan (EMP), including the closure of commercial fishing, was approved, in 2009, by the European Commission under EU Regulation 1100/2007. Fishing for eel was by way of public licence and therefore the issue of compensation does not arise. However, I directed my officials to engage with the European Commission in relation to Ireland's proposals to fund a support scheme for former eel fishermen. The outcome of that engagement confirmed that funding for the proposed measure is not eligible for support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. However, both Minister Naughten and I have secured Exchequer funding to support the measure and our position that this does not constitute State Aid has been confirmed to the Commission. Consultation with the Revenue Commissioners is at an advanced stage.
Until consultations are completed, it is not possible to elaborate on the terms and conditions for, or the prospective number of participants in, any potential support measure. Once completed it is intended to publish the relevant details as early as possible
North-South Interconnector
Ceisteanna (599, 612)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:599. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if all procurement related activities in relation to the North-South Interconnector, and the Supreme Court appeal will be halted pending determination of court cases (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31858/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrendan Smith
Ceist:612. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request that all procurement related activities be halted pending determination in both cases in view of the recent incinerator decision in Northern Ireland and the impending judicial review of the North-South Interconnector and the Supreme Court appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32248/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 599 and 612 together.
There are a number of legal issues ongoing in Ireland and Northern Ireland in relation to the North South Interconnector project. My Department was involved in a High Court appeal against the planning decision in 2017. The planning decision was upheld in the High Court and subsequently in the Court of Appeal. This is now being appealed to the Supreme Court.
The legal issues in Northern Ireland are ultimately a matter for the authorities there. The judgement made by the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland on 6 July relates to a different project, although it has been acknowledged that it could have wider implications for decision making in Northern Ireland. It is to be expected that the judgement will be studied over the coming weeks by authorities on both sides of the border for any implications for the North South Interconnector project.
I respect the process of the courts system in both Ireland and Northern Ireland and it is important to let these processes reach their appropriate conclusions.
The Interconnector, as proposed as an overhead line, has full planning permission in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The construction of the project, and all related procurement activities, is an operational matter for EirGrid and ESB Networks and one in which I have no function.
Better Energy Communities Programme
Ceisteanna (600)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:600. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the company awarded the contract to deliver the community energy programme in Inis Oirr, Árann in 2018; the reason for the delay in commencing this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Better Energy Communities Scheme is funded by my Department and operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). €23m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2018. To date, 37 communities have been approved funding for energy upgrades to more than 1,200 homes and 400 communities and commercial facilities. These communities will have warmer and healthier buildings lower energy bills, and reduced harmful CO2 emissions as a result of these energy efficiency measures being carried out. The allocation of funds under this scheme is made by SEAI in line with the criteria they set. I understand that the project referred to by the Deputy has been successful in its 2018 application, subject to some adjustments to that application to ensure that it met the criteria set by SEAI. I understand that the private contractor involved has not accepted the letter of offer from SEAI, but SEAI remains available to support this community.
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (601)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:601. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made by the eNet-SSE fibre to the premises roll-out that he launched in Ballinasloe in September 2017; when it is expected that the promised fibre to the premises roll-out will go live in Ballinasloe and Roscommon towns; when it is expected phase 2 of the network roll out will commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In September 2017 enet/SSE announced a project to bring high speed broadband to 115,000 homes and businesses across the West and North West of Ireland. As the Deputy is aware, Eir withdrew from the National Broadband Plan procurement process in January 2018 leaving enet/SSE the remaining bidder in the process and as such the company is now engaged with my Department in a more extensive deployment process.
Operational decisions of private telecommunications companies, including plans to deploy high speed fibre infrastructure to premises outside the NBP intervention area, are a matter for these commercial operators.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (602, 603)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:602. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the funding provided towards capital projects in Counties Meath and Louth in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, by project name, location and cost in tabular form. [31985/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFergus O'Dowd
Ceist:603. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath and Louth County Councils in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for projects decided upon or in progress in tabular form. [32001/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.
The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.