Written Answers Nos. 408-425
408. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an emergency compensation fund will be made available to grain farmers situated on the western seaboard who have had a poor year in terms of yield due to poor weather and are under severe financial hardship as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38449/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI fully acknowledge and accept that difficulties have been experienced by the farming community, not least by our tillage farmers. This sector is a very important area in the agricultural economy but it has been a challenging year both in terms of market returns and variable weather conditions experienced during the harvest.
I know the Deputy will be aware that I recently chaired a meeting with the main stakeholders in the tillage sector. As I said at the time and I wish to repeat here again this meeting provided a platform for the stakeholders to express their views and concerns on the challenges they are facing but equally to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for the industry.
At that meeting, I outlined that one of my chief priorities was to provide low-cost more flexible finance and in this regard I was happy to announce on Budget Day, my plans for a €150 million Agri Cash Flow Loan Support Scheme. This has been developed in conjunction with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), by leveraging EU and Exchequer funding totalling €25m from my Department, to deliver a total loan fund of €150 million, which will support highly flexible loans for up to six years, for amounts up to €150,000. The interest rate applying is 2.95% and the product will be available to livestock, tillage and horticulture farmers. Loans to tillage and horticulture farmers will be provided in line with the EU’s agriculture State Aid de minimis requirements.
This is a cash flow support facility, to improve the working capital position of farmers and other viable primary agriculture SMEs. The loans will be unsecured and are primarily to pay down expensive forms of credit such as merchant credit and other short-term financing facilities such as overdrafts. I recently welcomed the SBCI “Open Call” for financial intermediaries to deliver the Scheme. The SBCI is targeting that the loans will be available in the market in January 2017. I am encouraging farmers to consider their cash flow and borrowings situation now and, if appropriate to their circumstances, to be prepared to apply for these loans when they become available.
The loan scheme is part of a “three pillar strategy” in response to income volatility that I announced in the recent Budget, along with additional tax measures and farm payments. Among the tax measures, I agreed with my colleague the Minister for Finance, for an adjustment to the current ‘Income Averaging’ system, which will allow for an opt-out in an exceptional year. This will be available immediately, for this year’s tax liability, and this will go some way towards addressing current cash flow concerns.
As an additional support to cash flow on farms, including Tillage farms, I also confirmed that advance payments would be made this year in respect of the Basic Payment and Greening Payment schemes. Advance payments commenced on the 17th October last, the earliest possible date by which payments can begin under the governing EU Regulations, with balancing payments from the 1st December.
Furthermore Balancing Payments commenced on 1 December and to date €1,126 billion has been paid out to 120,926 farmers and payments are ongoing. I was also pleased to note that the processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints payment scheme is on schedule and payments have already commenced during the third week in September. It is expected that approx 96,500 will fulfil the scheme eligibility requirements. My Department will also be opening a measure under the TAMS Scheme specifically for the Tillage Sector.
While there is no specific funding available for losses due to poor weather conditions I wish to confirm that at Agriculture Council I have repeatedly called for the situation on agricultural markets to be kept under ongoing review, and have said that we should be ready to deploy support measures if the circumstances require it. At the October Council Minister of State Doyle followed this up with a specific request that market support efforts be extended to the cereals sector.
I also stressed at the recent Tillage stakeholders meeting and I want to restate my view that in this changing landscape we need to take a fresh look at our tillage industry to ensure that it is best positioned to withstand possible future threats and to avail of the new opportunities which may present themselves.
409. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the need for a spooling winch at the pier or slipway in Ardmore, County Waterford, to assist local fishermen; if funding will be provided for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38499/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pier and slipway in Ardmore are owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for their repair, development and maintenance rests with that Local Authority and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. I would refer the Deputy back to these bodies in the first instance regarding the issue referred to.
However my Department has provided limited funding to assist Local Authorities in small scale developments and repair of piers, harbours and slipways under their remit. These monies are made available through the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall National priorities.
I can confirm that my Department has not received any application in 2016 for funding from Waterford County Council for a spooling winch at the pier/slipway in Ardmore. However any application that might be received in respect of Ardmore Pier under future programmes will be considered in the context of the terms and conditions of the scheme, available funding and overall priorities.
410. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under a scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [38540/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named has submitted a claim for payment under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II. The claim for payment is being examined at local office level and payment will issue when all checks are completed.
411. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of entitlements a person (details supplied) in County Galway has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38552/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named held 4.21 entitlements with a total value of €558.67 under the Single Payment Scheme. All entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme expired on 31 December 2014.
In order to be eligible for an automatic allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme a farmer must have been eligible to receive a direct payment under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme. The person named did not submit any applications under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme or 2014 Single Payment Scheme. In addition she did not submit an application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme to my Department and therefore the person named was not eligible to receive an automatic allocation of entitlements under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme.
412. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named applied for and was approved for grant aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme Measure under TAMS II. The payment claim submitted by the person named is currently being processed. I would like to clarify that any pre-payment inspections required under the TAMS II suite of measures are carried out by my Department. The checklist referred to has been finalised. Payment will issue to the person named as soon as all the required checks have been successfully concluded.
413. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason persons (details supplied) in County Mayo have not received payment under the single farm payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38599/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named submitted applications under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme and applications under the Transfer of Entitlements measure of the Basic Payment Scheme. EU Regulations pertaining to the scheme require that applications are subject to certain administrative and/or on farm checks to determine eligibility under the scheme. All checks have now been completed and applications relating to the person named are now fully processed. Payment under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme has issued on 6th December, 2016.
414. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 23 November 2016, when payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38706/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2016.
Processing of the application is currently ongoing with a view to completion and payment issuing to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
415. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 3 November 2016, the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38724/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appeal under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, was received from the person named in late July. Further to PQ number 159 of 3rd November, the Reviewing Inspector has completed his report and forwarded it to the Appeals Committee for consideration.
The Appeals Committee will consider his report, make their decision and will notify the Appellant accordingly.
416. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 398 of 2 November 2016, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38744/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under Tranche 1 of GLAS (GLAS 1) was received in my Department on the 19 May 2015 and the person named was approved into GLAS 1 with effect from 1 October 2015.
The application has successfully completed the prepayment validation checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year and full payment entitlements issued to the person named on the 28 November 2016.
Applications are currently being processed in respect of the 2016 scheme year with a view to issuing the first instalment on applications that successfully complete the necessary prepayment checks.
417. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that it is possible via the official rural development programme amendment process to seek the transfer of financial allocations between measures as well as between sub-measures under the rural development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38761/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe financial allocations in the RDP 2014-2020 are based on measures and sub-measures and I can confirm that it is possible to transfer the allocations between measures and sub-measures by means of the official RDP amendment process.
Transferring allocations between measures and sub-measures would only be instituted where there is a definite and justifiable need, and is more likely to occur towards the end of the 2014 -2020 programming period.
418. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the agri-finance scheme as announced in budget 2017 will commence; the criteria farmers must meet to be eligible for the fund; the conditions of the scheme; the involvement in the application process; the supports available to farmers to aid with their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38771/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) is targeting that the loans from the "Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme" will be available in the market in January 2017. My Department is contributing €25 million in total, €11.1 million from the EU’s ‘exceptional adjustment aid for milk and other livestock farmers’ and some €14 million in National funding, which leverages a total fund of €150 million. To satisfy the requirements of the EU package, applicants must be engaged in primary agricultural production and must also engage in one of these activities:
- Application of environmental and climate friendly production methods
- Implementation of quality schemes or projects aiming at promoting quality and value added
- Implementation of cooperation projects
- Training in financial instruments and risk management tools.
I announced last month that the SBCI had invited financial institutions to take part in the Scheme. There were a number of applications submitted by the closing date of 25 November and these will now be the subject of a formal approval process.
The normal lending criteria of the participating financial institutions will also apply. This is a cash flow support facility to improve the working capital position of viable businesses. The loans are primarily to pay down expensive forms of credit such as merchant credit and short-term facilities such as overdrafts. The loans may not be used for:
- Refinance of existing term loans
- The refinance of undertakings in financial difficulties (as opposed to cash flow difficulties, as defined in EU guidelines)
- New investments.
However, by improving the cash flow position of their business by using this facility, many will be in a better position to negotiate and restructure existing loan commitments.
More operational details will be available when the Scheme is launched.
419. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure access to the historical records of the Land Commission are facilitated for researchers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38806/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no immediate plans to make the 8 million or so records of the former Commission generally available to the public for research purposes or otherwise as they are still working documents and have not been handed over to the National Archives. My officials regularly access these records to service queries from the public relating to current and past transactions and for the full completion of the work of the Land Commission. Wider access will be a matter for consideration when the completion of the work of the former ILC is at a more advanced stage. The records which are available in paper format only are fragile, some dating back as far as the late 1800’s and are an irreplaceable resource should they get damaged. In order to maintain them it is essential that they are handled and stored appropriately. Opening up access to these files cannot be considered until appropriate measures are undertaken to minimise potential damage from routine handling. While limited access is granted to persons on application, the office does not provide a research facility as the provision of such a service would require much greater resources than those currently available.
420. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding culling Friesian bulls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38817/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware farmers have faced a number of challenges in 2016 as the year has progressed. The immediate impact of Brexit has been seen in our currency exchange rates and has affected our primary major export market. Beef production is also up here and in the UK in 2016.
Looking at the market outlook for the remainder of the year it is estimated that the total number of cattle available for slaughter at export plants for the year 2016 is expected to be between 70,000 and 80,000 greater than 2015. Figures for the year so far to the week ending 27th November 2016 show that approximately 74,000 extra cattle have been slaughtered so far this year compared to the same period in 2015, an increase of 5.3%.
I am very much aware of the impact that the expansion in the national dairy herd will have on the Irish beef herd and this matter was discussed by all stakeholders at the most recent meeting of the Beef Roundtable. The true impact any increase in the number of cattle in the national herd will have on the beef market will be determined by different factors such as slaughter dates which will vary depending on the system of production on different farms. I have also asked Teagasc to undertake some analysis on the routes to market for the increased number of dairy calves and they have recently completed this work. We will now analyse it with the relevant stakeholders and consider some next steps.
I am also very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in providing an alternative market outlet for Irish farmers especially in an environment where the number of calf births has increased in recent years. The recent opening of the Turkish market for live cattle exports has seen over 12,300 cattle make the trip so far, a number which will increase further by the end of 2016. I also note that exports of live cattle to Libya have recommenced which is a positive and welcome development. My Department is also currently actively examining the possibilities of bilateral health certificates for the export of cattle to Kazakhstan, Montenegro and for breeding cattle to Morocco. I remain actively committed to ensuring that Irish beef producers have the option of exporting to as many markets as possible.
At this moment my Department has no intentions to introduce any scheme to cull Friesian or other dairy breed male cattle.
421. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in respect of an application for an oyster farm (details supplied) in County Donegal; if a decision is likely before the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38820/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aquaculture licence application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.
The legislation provides for a period of public and statutory consultation. In the case of this application the public consultation period is now over and my Department will continue its examination of this application in accordance with the applicable legislation.
It is not possible at this stage to say when this process will be complete. As the licence application is under active consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports available for residents of counties deemed high priority by the EPA with respect to reducing radon gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38407/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Radon Control Strategy Co-ordination Group was established to implement and track the key recommendations of the National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS), published in 2014. This co-ordinated, Government-led, strategy aims to reduce both overall population and individual risk, particularly for people living in areas with high radon levels.
Cost has been identified as a disincentive to householders to both test and remediate their homes for radon. The NRCS contains a number of recommendations, one of which is to explore possible financial incentives to encourage household action on radon. My Department is examining the feasibility of providing such financial incentives. A decision will be taken in the coming months on whether and, if so, how to proceed once the examination of options is complete.
423. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will alleviate the concerns of west Clare anglers who are of the view that County Clare is the only coastal county in which salmon rivers are still closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38652/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland manages salmon stocks on an individual river basis. This management is carried out by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the State Agency with statutory responsibility for inland fisheries.
Management is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s 147 salmon rivers, sections of rivers etc., has its own unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn and create the next generation of fish exclusive to that river. Each individual stock is assessed annually and those fisheries meeting their individual conservation limit may be opened to harvest.
IFI is advised by the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon (SSC) comprising scientists from IFI, the Marine Institute, the Loughs Agency, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (Northern Ireland) other State bodies and third level institutions.
The underlying primary consideration is the health of the individual stocks, regardless of geographic location of the home river. However, fishing opportunities in the wider Shannon Fisheries District were available in 2016.
The conservation imperative demands that great care must be taken to ensure that the current salmon stocks are not further eroded by mismanagement or inappropriate exploitation, whether that is via angling, commercial fisheries in rivers or through the operation of mixed stock fisheries in estuaries.
The annual Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, made pursuant to Sections 69 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, provide for the annual management of Ireland's wild salmon and sea trout fishery by IFI. These Regulations are revised on an annual basis, taking account of advice from IFI, the annual assessment of the SSC and any submissions received from a 30 day public consultation for the following season. I have already commenced the 30 day public consultation for the 2017 Regulations.
A copy of the draft regulations, is available on the Department’s website, www.dccae.gov.ie, and is open for public inspection at the offices of the Department in Cavan and also at the offices of Inland Fisheries Ireland. Any person may submit observations on the draft regulations during the consultation period which concludes on 11 December, 2016.
424. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stage the proposed determination regarding an acquisition (details supplied) has reached within his Department; if he plans to seek Cabinet approval for any decision he may make on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38857/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, notification of the proposed merger referenced in the question was received by me as Minister on 21 November 2016. I have 30 working days from the notification deadline of 24 November 2016 to conduct an initial, or Phase 1, assessment of the case on media plurality grounds.
This examination is guided by the relevant criteria laid out in the legislation and by the Guidelines on Media Mergers, both of which are available on my Department's website. Following this examination I have three options under the legislation, which are to allow the merger to proceed, to allow the merger to proceed with conditions, or to ask the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to conduct a more in-depth, or phase 2, examination of the proposed merger.
If the latter is the case, then the BAI will, following its examination of the proposed merger, provide me with a report detailing its recommendations on the matter. It is also possible for me, as Minister, to establish an advisory panel to provide an opinion to the BAI on the application of the relevant criteria to the media merger in question. Following receipt of the BAI's report and recommendations, I must then make a decision either to allow the merger to proceed, to allow it to proceed with conditions or to refuse to grant my consent.
No provision is made in legislation to allow a Minister to seek Cabinet approval for a determination on a media merger nor is there any role for the Oireachtas.
It would not be appropriate for me to provide further comment while this case is currently under consideration.
425. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the provision he will make to ensure that existing fixed wireless broadband users can continue to have access to broadband providers when the winner of the present competition for the national broadband plan is announced. [38297/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority. This is being achieved through private investment by commercial telecommunications companies and through a State intervention in areas where commercial investment has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of the Plan is to bring competitively priced quality services to rural areas, through a State intervention to build a new high speed broadband network. It is envisaged that this network will offer wholesale services to multiple retailers, who can in turn offer competitive and affordable and high speed broadband to users.
The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises in Ireland, covering 100,000km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. The procurement process is technology neutral. All three bidders involved in the competitive dialogue process are proposing a predominantly fibre- to- the –home network solution to connect rural Ireland. This is their choice of technology. It is however possible that wireless technology may be part of the solutions proposed and this is a matter for bidders. Furthermore, as the network to be built will offer wholesale services, on an open-access basis, it will be open to existing wireless retailers to offer services on the new network. Wireless operators can also connect their technologies to the network if they can meet the high speed broadband specifications set out in the Plan, which includes a minimum of 30 megabit per second download speed and 6 megabit per second upload speed.
In relation to the separate matter of the management of radio spectrum this is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) under the Communications Regulation Act 2002, as amended. ComReg is independent in the exercise of this spectrum management function.
In October, I signed Regulations which will allow ComReg to allocate spectrum in the 3.6GHz band. This will provide an 86% increase in total spectrum available for mobile and fixed wireless services. The liberalisation of this band is in accordance with EU rules, and will allow the band to be used for a combination of mobile and wireless services, providing better quality voice and data services to customers across Ireland.
I have no role or function in the delivery of the auction process, which is a matter for ComReg. I am aware that ComReg has recently concluded its consultation process on the award process for the 3.6GHz spectrum band, including from parties who may wish to provide fixed broadband services and others who may see this band as an opportunity to provide new services. ComReg has considered the views of all respondents and its decisions on this band must accord with its own statutory functions, objectives powers and duties.
