Tuesday, 24 Jul 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1960-1979

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (1960)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1960. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's expenditure on public relations in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34240/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department generally does not employ external public relations firms and has not employed any external public relations firms in  2018 to date. Public relations advice is provided by my Department’s Press and Information Office.  

In April of 2017, the services of "All Good Tales", a public relations company, were used to provide training for staff members for the National Animal Surveillance Programme. The cost of this training was €5,965.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Questions (1961)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1961. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's expenditure on external consultancy in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34257/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department seeks to minimise the use of consultants and only engages consultancy companies when particular additional expertise is required for delivery of the services which support the business processes of the Department and to satisfy auditing and EU regulatory requirements. Such services are used in areas where the Department does not have the necessary expertise or internal capacity to deliver the services and where it would not make practical, operational or economic sense to build up this capability within the Department.  All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money.

My Department's expenditure on external consultancy in 2017 was €2,774,140 and €1,040,352 to date in 2018.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1962)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1962. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the detail of each non-Civil Service appointment that has been made in his Department; the pay grade of each appointment; and the relevant qualifications that each appointee has for their position. [34274/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I can confirm the appointment of two political advisers and four Civilian drivers (two drivers assigned to Minister of State Doyle and two assigned to myself).

The current salary scale for Ministerial Advisers is €79,401.00 - €91,624.00.  (Special Adviser Civil Service Principal Officer salary scale).

The current rate of pay for Civilian Drivers is €657.43 per week.

Additional information in respect of these appointments is provided to the Oireachtas at the time the appointments take place.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (1963)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1963. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's expenditure on the purchase of newspapers and other media content, such as print, digital and other forms in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34291/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that this Department's total expenditure for newspapers and other media content in 2017 was €53,570 and the total for 2018 to date is €30,901.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (1964)

Jack Chambers

Question:

1964. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent press officers employed by his Department and him personally. [34308/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Press and Information Office in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is part of the Corporate Affairs Division and is headed by one Press Officer, who reports to the Head of Division, who in turn reports to the Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Human Resources and Corporate Affairs.

The Press and Information Office is the primary point of contact between the Department and members of the media, as well as members of the general public. The office is responsible for communicating with media and members of the public regarding the work of the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In addition one of my Special Advisors, along with other duties, provides advice on media matters.

Departmental Contracts Data

Questions (1965)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1965. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contracts awarded by his Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the past three years; the value of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34352/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not awarded contracts to the named company in the past three years.

Scéimeanna Talmhaíochta

Questions (1966)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1966. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil achomharc, foirmeálta nó neamh-fhoirmeálta, déanta ag feirmeoir (sonraí tugtha) in aghaidh pionós a gearradh air faoi scéim AEOS; má ta achomharc déanta cén uair a dhéanfar cinneadh ar an achomharc; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [34377/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Tá an limistéar atá incháilithe le haghaidh íocaíochta faoi AEOS bunaithe ar an limistéar atá incháilithe faoi BPS.  In 2017, laghdaíodh limistéar incháilithe an té atá ainmnithe faoi BPS. Tugadh é sin le fios i litir ó BPS dar dáta an 20/12/17. Bhí ró-íocaíocht faoin Agri-Environment Options Scheme## i gceist mar thoradh air sin idir 2013 agus 2016. Cuireadh an té atá ainmnithe ar an eolas maidir leis na ró-íocaíochtaí sin faoi AEOS i litir dar dáta an 14/03/18. Níl aon taifead ann go ndearnadh achomharc leis an BPS maidir leis an limistéar a bheith laghdaithe.

Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations

Questions (1967, 1968)

Brendan Smith

Question:

1967. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 with particular reference to simplification issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34477/18]

Brendan Smith

Question:

1968. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council on the need to ensure that there will be no reduction in Common Agricultural Policy funding post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1967 and 1968 together.

The most recent meeting of the Agri-Fish Council was held on the 16th of July. My European Ministerial colleagues and I had the opportunity to discuss the CAP post 2020 in the context of simplification & subsidiarity.

The debate was preceded by two presentations given by Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mr Vladimir Sucha, Director General of the Joint Research Centre.  The Commissioner’s presentation included some specific examples as to why the Commission’s proposals will achieve real simplification for both the farmer and administrations across areas such as environment and climate action; ecological focus areas; and, young farmers.  Mr Sucha’s presentation examined the use of technology and innovation in the modernisation & simplification of the next CAP.

Ministers generally welcomed the simplification and subsidiarity elements of the new CAP proposals, including the potential for using of new technologies in agriculture.  Some Ministers took the opportunity to again express their concerns over the potential administrative burden and associated costs involved with the proposed CAP Strategic Plans.  Some concerns were raised over the mandatory requirements of the proposed enhanced environmental conditionality in Pillar 1,  the use of indicators, and the requirement for annual performance review. 

Ministers also took the opportunity to seek adequate funding for the future CAP, with some expressing concern over the specifics of the provisions for direct payment degressivity  and their convergence between Member States. The French and German Ministers presented a memorandum expressing support for the restoration of the CAP Budget to current EU 27 levels. Ultimately, of course, decisions on the Multi Annual Financial Framework will be taken by Heads of State, by Finance Ministers and the European Parliament.

My Department will continue to engage closely with the Commission on all of these issues.  We are now at the beginning of a complex set of negotiations and it will be some time before the final shape of the regulations is known.  Throughout this process I will be seeking to ensure that the new proposals deliver real simplification for farmers.  

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (1969)

Robert Troy

Question:

1969. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an outstanding payment will be made to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The relevant payment issued to the above named herd owner on Thursday 19th July 2018.

Brexit Issues

Questions (1970, 1971)

Robert Troy

Question:

1970. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the involvement he or his officials had in preparing to employ additional customs and agriculture officers for all ports; the number of additional personnel that will be appointed to each port and each airport; the way in which the number was reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34550/18]

Robert Troy

Question:

1971. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when preparations for additional staff began in view of an interview given by the CEO of Dublin Port the morning after the announcement that there would be 1,000 additional officials hired to prepare for a hard Brexit (details supplied); when the jobs will be advertised; the timeframe to complete the recruitment process; the timeframe for training; and when employment will be commenced. [34552/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1970 and 1971 together.

Negotiations between the EU and the UK in relation to Brexit are continuing and the outcome remains unclear. Against that background my Department has, as part of a whole of Government process being coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, been involved in preparations for Brexit for some time now and has contributed its views into the Brexit contingency planning process.

Following the Government's decision to prepare detailed Action Plan, my Department is finalising its analysis on facilitating potential increased sanitary and phytosanitary controls, including staffing, upgrading infrastructure at ports and airports, in particular Dublin and Rosslare. On completion of this analysis a detailed Action Plan will be submitted to Government.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (1972)

Robert Troy

Question:

1972. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a track (details supplied) will receive an investment following a commitment to invest in other dog racing tracks after the closure of Shelbourne Park. [34569/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.

Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

I have made enquiries with Bord na gCon and have been informed that a business case has been prepared regarding the stadium referred to in the Deputy's question. The proposals in the business case are being considered by Bord na gCon as part of its overall strategic plan for the industry.

TAMS Payments

Questions (1973)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1973. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of targeted agricultural modernisation scheme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34599/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The number of TAMS payment claims that have been received to date is 5,351. Of these 4,603 have been paid to date.  TAMS payment claims are being processed on an going basis.

As part of the checks related to the claim processing, additional information may be sought from the applicant and in these cases the payment is held pending resolution of outstanding issues.  

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (1974)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1974. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of beef data and genomics programme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34600/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payments have issued to 24,188 of the 24,835 farmers that remain eligible to participate in the BDGP scheme. Payments have not yet been made to 646 participants. These cases are currently being examined with a view to finalisation. In some instances this is because the applicant has requested a change to their scheme requirements such as where the ownership of the herd has been changed. Payments in these cases will issue as soon as they are cleared.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Questions (1975)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1975. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of areas of natural constraint and areas of specific constraint payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Some 102,000 farmers hold designated lands under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and Areas of Specific Constraint (ASC) schemes and are therefore eligible to apply under the schemes. To date, under the 2017 ANC and ASC schemes, some 95,450 applicants have been paid in excess of €204 million. These statistics are in line with those of previous scheme years. 

Not all applicants will become eligble for payment in a scheme year.  As applicants must fulfil compliance requirements under the schemes in respect of lands, stock retention and annual stock average it is not possible to ascertain how many of the remaining cases may fall due for payment. 

GLAS Payments

Questions (1976)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1976. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of green low-carbon agri-environment scheme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34602/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are currently 49,266 active participants in the GLAS scheme. Of these 48,051 have received their 2017 advance payment which equates to 99.6% of eligible cases. In addition, 37,302 GLAS participants have received their 2017 balancing payment which equates to almost 99% of eligible claims.

Cases remain ineligible for payment, in the majority of these cases, due to an outstanding issue on the part of the GLAS participant.  This can include the non submission of a Nutrient Management Plan, a Commonage Management Plan or participation in GLAS training.  Without the submission of all the required information, these applicants will continue to be ineligible for further GLAS payments.

GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis.

Organic Farming Scheme Payments

Questions (1977)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1977. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of organic farming scheme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34603/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Currently, 1,512 farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme have received an advance payment for 2017; 68 farmers have not received a payment in respect of 2017.

Of the 1,512 farmers who have received their advance payment, 164 have not received a balancing payment.

My Department's staff are examining these cases with a view to making a payment to all eligible participants. Payments continue to issue as soon as they are cleared.

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Questions (1978)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1978. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep welfare scheme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34604/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are currently 650 applicants not yet cleared for payment for the 2017 scheme year.  These cases are currently being processed and will be included in future pay runs as they become clear for payment.  Please note, some cases may not receive a payment, for example where the applicants have not fulfilled their scheme obligations.

Knowledge Transfer Programme

Questions (1979)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1979. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of knowledge transfer programme payments which are outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34605/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Knowledge Transfer (KT) is one of a suite of measures included under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves the formation of knowledge transfer groups across the beef, dairy, equine, sheep, tillage and poultry sectors. Farmer participants attend group meetings and produce a Farm Improvement Plan in consultation with their KT Facilitator.  For each year of the three year programme participants receive a reimbursement in the amount of €750 for a primary sector and €375 for a secondary sector where all requirements of the programme have been met.

Payments under the programme commenced in late October 2017.

To date, over 18,000 farmer payments in the amount of circa €11,854,309 have issued across all 6 KT Sectors. Approximately 1,300 farmer KT payments remain for payment.  In addition payments in the amount of circa €5,987,748 have issued to KT facilitators in respect of approx 12,477 participants paid.

Payments to Facilitators are currently issuing on a sector by sector basis with KT Beef and KT Sheep already issued and payments to the remaining sectors issuing on a rolling basis over the coming week. 

A further round of farmer payments will commence on foot of completion of the current round of facilitator payments. Every effort is being made to complete this process with a view to paying remaining farmers as soon as possible.