Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgriculture Scheme Payments
Ceisteanna (239)
Freagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application under the 2016 Young Farmers Scheme to my Department. His name was added to the herd number shown for the 2016 scheme year. However, the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme Application was submitted under the herd number shown while it was still held in the sole name of the previous herd owner. As a result my Department is working to align the applications submitted under the Basic Payment Scheme and the Young Farmers Scheme in order to have the Young Farmers Scheme application processed for payment as soon as possible.
Question No. 240 withdrawn.
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (241)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:241. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an ANC payment to a person (details suppled); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 30 April 2016. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (242)
Joe Carey
Ceist:242. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all elements of the Burren LIFE programme are operational and accessible for funding allocation to farmers that are participating in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2339/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Burren Programme is a locally-led agri-environment measure introduced by my Department under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It follows on from two highly successful initiatives, namely the Burren LIFE Project 2005-2010 and the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme, 2010-2015. However, the new Burren Programme differs from its predecessors in two ways: it will be much bigger, with triple the previous participation levels, and it will offer five-year contracts, rather than operating from year-to-year as was previously the case.
The transformation of the previous annual schemes into this much larger five-year Programme has required extensive negotiation with the EU Commission along with detailed design and development work. As part of this process, my Department is developing a new online land-management system for the Burren. Some components of this have yet to be completed, which means that one stream of the Burren Programme - the capital investment stream - has not yet been activated. However, this will not in any way affect farmers' access to funding under the new Programme: payments are linked to the area of Annex 1 habitat held by each farmer and this provides for an individual 'envelope' of funds for each farmer that they can use anytime over the duration of their five year contract.
I am informed that the new online land management system will be available shortly for testing. Once this has been completed, and all parties involved with the testing are satisfied, the system will be released. In the meantime, payments for the main intervention under the new Programme, which is the management of grazed habitats, is continuing as normal. Payments under this intervention have already commenced for the first tranche of farmers who entered the scheme in 2016. Payment to those entering in 2017 commence towards the end of this year, as is normal with schemes of this nature.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (243)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:243. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include eligibility under TAMS for the erection of underpasses to improve safety for farmers due to the increase in herd sizes and increase in traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2350/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The construction of underpasses is not currently available under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme suite of measures. The introduction of such a measure would require a formal amendment to Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014 – 2020 and approval by the EU Commission. I have no plans to introduce this measure at this time.
GLAS Data
Ceisteanna (244)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:244. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that did not receive their 85% payment for 2015 to date under the GLAS scheme, broken down by county; the number in the GLAS scheme at 31 December 2016 broken down on the same basis; the reason for the delay in payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Some 25,800 farmers are active in the GLAS 1 of which 22,150 were eligible for a part year payment in respect of 2015. Over 21,500 have received 85% of their 2015 payment.
At end of December 2016 there were 37,500 active participants in the GLAS scheme of which 27,400 received 85% of their 2016 payment. Payment can only issue where all the required validation checks have been successfully passed. Some 10,100 cases did not pass all the checks. Work on processing these cases, including development of further IT functionality, is on-going with a view to effecting payment as quickly as possible.
The detailed county by county breakdown requested by the deputy is being collated and will be forwarded directly when finalised.
Sheep Census
Ceisteanna (245)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider basing the number of ewes on which payment can be claimed under the sheep welfare scheme 2017-2019 on the actual number of ewes held by farmers each year for the sheep census of the previous year up to a maximum of 100 ewes or the number of ewes held in 2014, in order to assist small flock owners expand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sheep Welfare Scheme was introduced under the Rural Development Program to contribute to the continued development of animal and health welfare in the sheep sector. The scheme requires farmers to go beyond the relevant mandatory measures to enhance the standards of animal welfare in the Irish Sheep flock.
This new scheme is designed in keeping with Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1305/2013 in particular and with the range of European Regulations underpinning the provision of support for Rural Development.
In order to administer the scheme the number of breeding ewes returned on Sheep Census for the years 2014/2015 will form a Reference Number for payment for the duration of the scheme and this number will not increase. Applicants under the scheme will be paid on the number of breeding ewes returned on their sheep census for the relevant scheme year but payment will not go beyond their established reference number. The only exception to this will be where applicants are also GLAS participants and are required to increase their breeding ewes in line with GLAS obligations under the Commonage Management Plans.
As part of the negotiation of the scheme with the EU Commission, this approach to the establishment of the reference number was a clear prerequisite for agreeing the scheme in line with World Trade Organisation regulations. As the Scheme rolls out, farmers will be afforded the opportunity to appeal the reference number advised to them by my Department.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (246)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have applied for the TAMS 2 scheme 2014 to 2020; the number that have been approved under the TAMS 2 scheme 2014 to 2020; the value of these approvals; the number that had received payment under the scheme by 31 December 2016; the amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of applications received under the TAMS II Schemes is 10,583. Of these, 1,636 applications were received in the last tranche which closed on 13 January 2017. 6,061 farmers have received approval to commence works to the value of approx. €90m. 313 applicants had received payments totalling €4m by the 31 December 2016. All applications for approvals and payments continue to be processed on an on going basis.
Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (247)
Willie Penrose
Ceist:247. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason correspondence dated 24 October 2016 and 13 December 2016 which was submitted to his Department by a person (details supplied) has not been replied to to date; the reason the person has not been paid their single farm payment and areas of natural constraint payments which are due to them for 2016 and which have been clarified in the course of an appeal hearing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2426/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application under the 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 12 May 2016. He declared a number of forestry parcels on this application. During the annual validation process for all applications, it was necessary for my Department to confirm the eligibility status of these parcels under the Basic Payment Scheme. As part of this process the correspondence received from the person named is currently under review.
An official from my Department will be in direct contact with the person named regarding this matter.
GLAS Data
Ceisteanna (248)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons under GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment; the average payment made to these persons; the percentage payment made to them; if GLAS plus payments have been made to date; if not, when they will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 farmers who received payment is set out in the table. Payments represent 85% of the amount due to each participant. Payments will continue on an ongoing basis as cases are cleared. The processing of 2016 GLAS plus payments is due to commence shortly.
Average 85% 2016 GLAS payment based on payments issued to date is €3,556.15.
|
2016 |
Numbers Paid |
Amount |
|
GLAS1 |
19,226 |
€68,433,251.57 |
|
GLAS2 |
8,137 |
€28,873,633.69 |
|
Total |
27,363 |
€97,306,885.26 |
GLAS Data
Ceisteanna (249)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:249. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons that have enrolled to date in GLAS 3; if he will provide a breakdown of tiers 1, 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Almost 14,000 GLAS 3 applications were submitted and under the governing EU regulations all must now be assessed and ranked before any applicant can be approved into the scheme. It is envisaged that this work will be completed in the coming weeks. While this process will determine the numbers in each tier, indications are that the breakdown will be over 7,000 in tier 1, approximately 6,100 in tier 2 and 840 in tier 3.
Agriculture Scheme Expenditure
Ceisteanna (250)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown per year between total expenditure incurred in each of the years 2014 to 2016, in tabular form; the annual amount of funds originally allocated to a number of schemes (details supplied) in tabular form under the rural development programme 2014 to 2020; the total funding ringfenced annually over 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As you will be aware, Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 is co-funded by the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the national exchequer. EU support for the RDP via the EAFRD amounts to an aggregate sum of €2.19 billion over the 7-year Programme lifespan. This EU funding will be supplemented by Exchequer funding, bringing the total allocation to some €4 billion. The annual breakdown of total EU support under the Rural Development Programme for Ireland is set out in annex 1 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 – see table 1.
If the amount of EAFRD expenditure drawn down in a calendar year is less than the annual breakdown, the difference between the actual EAFRD expenditure and the annual breakdown may be reviewed without changing the overall EAFRD allocation for the period. Essentially, any unspent EAFRD funds in a year are carried forward to subsequent years. The overall amount of €2.19 billion EAFRD funding will be spent over the 7-year programme period.
The annual breakdown of total EU support is only made at aggregate level and is not transferred down to measure/sub-measure level (or scheme level). The RDP Regulation is structured according to measures while for the purpose of financial management of national expenditures, we run and implement the RDP measures as schemes. These schemes may extend over more than one RDP measure - for example, the BDGP scheme draws funding from measure 1 and measure 10. At the same time, one RDP measure may contribute funds to a number of schemes - for example, measure 1 contributes to Knowledge Transfer and M10 GLAS/BDGP training.
The financial allocations for the RDP 2014-2020 measures and sub-measure are set out in table 2. Please note the horticultural sector is not included in the RDP 2014-2020. In addition, please note the financial allocations for the new measures/sub-measures (support for Beef Producer Organisations, Sheep Welfare Scheme and the European Innovation Partnerships including the Locally Led schemes) being introduced as part of the 2nd amendment to the RDP are subject to formal approval by the European Commission.
In contrast to the RDP, annual allocations to each Vote are a key feature of our national exchequer system and these allocations are sub-divided into sub-head allocations. Table 3 in the attached shows the annual allocations for 2014, 2015 (original and after the supplementary Estimate), 2016 and 2017 to the sub-heads covering the schemes you referred to in your question which are funded under the 2014-2020 RDP. The allocations for 2018, 2019 and 2020 have not been determined yet as annual scheme allocations will be determined within the context of the estimates process for those years.
Table 1: Annual EAFRD contributions in (€)
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
313,148,955 |
313,059,463 |
312,967,965 |
312,874,411 |
312,779,690 |
312,669,355 |
312,485,314 |
2,189,985,153 |
Table 2 : Financial Allocation by Measure & Submeasure for Irelands 2014 -2020 RDP
|
Measure and Submeasure |
Total Allocation 2014-2020 |
|
Measure 1 - Knowledge transfer and information actions |
125,800,000 |
|
Submeasure 1.1 (Knowledge transfer groups and M10 Training) |
125,800,000 |
|
Measure 2 - Advisory services, farm management and farm relief services |
8,300,000 |
|
Submeasure 2.3 (CPD for Agri Advisors) |
2,000,000 |
|
Submeasures 2.1 & 2.3 (Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health and Welfare) |
6,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 2.1 – Support for the setting up of Producer Organisations |
300,000 |
|
Measure 4 - Investments in physical assets |
425,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 4.1 (TAMS II) |
395,000,000 |
|
AEOS Transitional |
30,000,000 |
|
Measure 7 - Basic services and village renewal in rural areas |
6,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 7.6 (GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings) |
6,000,000 |
|
Measure 10 - Agri-environment-climate |
1,531,005,630 |
|
Submeasure 10.1 (GLAS, BDGP, The Burren Programme & Transitional AEOS/REPS) |
1,531,005,630 |
|
Measure 11 - Organic farming |
56,000,000 |
|
Submeasures 11.1 & 11.2 (The Organic Farming Scheme) |
56,000,000 |
|
Measure 12 Natura 2000 & WFD (Transitional) |
73,250,000 |
|
Submeasures 12.1 Natura 2000 & WFD |
73,250,000 |
|
Measure 13 - Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints |
1,370,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 13.2 & 13.3 (ANC including Islands) |
1,370,000,000 |
|
Measure 14 – Animal Welfare Scheme |
100,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 14 - payment for animal welfare scheme |
100,000,000 |
|
Measure 16 - Co-operation |
62,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 16.1 (General EIPs) |
3,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 16.1 (EIPs – Locally Led Hen Harrier and Freshwater Pearl Mussel) |
35,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 16.1 (EIPs - Locally Led Environmental and Climate) |
20,000,000 |
|
Submeasure 16.3 (Collaborative Farming) |
4,000,000 |
|
Measure 19 - Support for LEADER local development |
250,000,000 |
|
Submeasures 19.1, 19.2,19.3 & 19.4 (LEADER) |
250,000,000 |
|
Measure 20 Total - Technical Assistance |
8,145,000 |
|
Technical Assistance |
8,145,000 |
|
ERS (Transitional) |
9,207,547 |
Table 3: scheme sub-head allocations and outturns
|
Title of Scheme |
2014 Allocation €000 |
2014 Outturn €000 |
2015 Allocation Post Supple-mentary €000 |
2015 Outturn €000 |
2016 Allocation Post Supplementary €000 |
2016 Provisional Outturn €000 |
2017 Allocation in €000 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
195,000 |
194,238 |
207,000 |
205,906 |
202,000 |
206,433 |
202,000 |
|
Beef Data and Genomics Programme |
0 |
0 |
35,000 |
34,692 |
52,000 |
61,896 |
52,000 |
|
AEOS |
61,000 |
60,773 |
71,000 |
79,801 |
40,850 |
32,200 |
11,000 |
|
GLAS |
0 |
0 |
20,000 |
11,453 |
139,500 |
102,615 |
214,000 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
17,200 |
16,456 |
30,500 |
24,830 |
35,800 |
7,836 |
50,000 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme (Land Mobility) |
10,000 |
10,523 |
7,394 |
7,143 |
4,602 |
4,406 |
3,210 |
|
Organic Farming Schemes |
Included in REPS |
0 |
6,000 |
7,969 |
10,000 |
8,018 |
10,500 |
|
REPS |
121,450 |
139,549 |
52,000 |
32,009 |
2,194 |
3,517 |
250 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Schemes (Traditional Farm Buildings) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,200 |
1,973 |
7,000 |
|
Technical assistance |
1,000 |
140 |
100 |
122 |
1,000 |
902 |
1,000 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
0 |
0 |
0 |
80 |
500 |
339 |
500 |
|
Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Disease |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
700 |
228 |
1,000 |
|
Knowledge Transfer Scheme |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25,621 |
|
Animal Welfare Scheme for Sheep |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25,000 |
|
Continuous Professional Development |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
200 |
|
European Innovation Programme |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
700 |
Agriculture Scheme Expenditure
Ceisteanna (251)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:251. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown in the 2017 estimates for the allocation of funds under a number of schemes and programmes (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table:
|
Title of Scheme |
2017 allocation €000 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
202,000 |
|
Beef Data and Genomics Programme |
52,000 |
|
AEOS |
11,000 |
|
GLAS |
214,000 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
50,000 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme (Land Mobility) |
3,210 |
|
Organic Farming Scheme |
10,500 |
|
REPS |
250 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Scheme |
6,000 |
|
Knowledge Transfer Scheme |
25,621 |
|
Horticulture Industry |
5,000 |
|
Development of the Organic Sector |
2,055 |
The schemes listed above, apart from the Horticulture Industry Scheme and the Development of the Organic Sector Scheme, are co-funded under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme
Ceisteanna (252)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:252. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received in total under the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme 2 on a county basis, in tabular form; the total number of approved applications; the total number of payment claims lodged; the total number of payment claims that have been approved for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the TAMS II Scheme are contained in the table, on a county basis. The total number of approved applications is 6,061. The total number of payment claims lodged is 802 and the total number of payments made is 355. Approvals and payments continue to be processed on an ongoing basis.
|
County |
Applications Received |
Applications Approved |
Payment Claims Lodged |
Payments Made |
|
Carlow |
132 |
74 |
10 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
438 |
236 |
17 |
5 |
|
Clare |
336 |
218 |
27 |
22 |
|
Cork |
1579 |
1060 |
151 |
56 |
|
Donegal |
560 |
205 |
14 |
7 |
|
Dublin |
30 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
|
Galway |
797 |
369 |
61 |
21 |
|
Kerry |
768 |
445 |
69 |
23 |
|
Kildare |
147 |
81 |
14 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
539 |
361 |
47 |
37 |
|
Laois |
272 |
170 |
27 |
8 |
|
Leitrim |
174 |
91 |
10 |
3 |
|
Limerick |
521 |
341 |
37 |
19 |
|
Longford |
147 |
81 |
10 |
8 |
|
Louth |
106 |
56 |
4 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
414 |
170 |
26 |
5 |
|
Meath |
330 |
183 |
20 |
6 |
|
Monaghan |
383 |
210 |
19 |
3 |
|
Offaly |
239 |
144 |
15 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
426 |
174 |
17 |
10 |
|
Sligo |
160 |
83 |
15 |
8 |
|
Tipperary |
868 |
587 |
114 |
75 |
|
Waterford |
341 |
229 |
23 |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
269 |
140 |
18 |
8 |
|
Wexford |
453 |
268 |
28 |
11 |
|
Wicklow |
154 |
71 |
6 |
4 |
|
Totals |
10583 |
6061 |
802 |
355 |
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (253)
Charlie McConalogue
Ceist:253. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering reducing or removing fees of up to €8 on calf exports as suggested by farming organisations to reduce the administrative costs for trade in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2433/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The inspection fees on live exports are designed to cover the cost of the inspection process. My Department will keep the fees under review in order to ensure that they do not negatively impact on the live export trade in calves.