Basic Farm Payments of almost €44.5m supporting farmers in Meath – English

Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation and Fine Gael TD for Meath West, Damien English, has said that Basic Farm Payments of almost €44.5 million paid so far in 2015, are supporting Meath farmers.

“In Meath, 3,483 farmers have received Basic Farm Payments so far in 2015, making up 95.9% of payments. In 2016, €1.2 billion in direct funding will be made available from the EU to fund the Basic Payment Scheme nationally.

“This money is essential to support agriculture and farming families in Meath. Basic Farm Payments are also key to supporting the local economy as farmers can spend this money with local suppliers and in small businesses.

“The food industry in Ireland is worth €26 billion and directly employs 170,000 people. Farmers are at the centre of this and it is essential that we offer every support possible.  For two successive budgets farming agri-taxation measures have played a central part in the Budget.

“Major new initiatives on ‘Family Transfer Partnerships’ have been introduced to assist in the transfer of land. We have also renewed relief measures on general stock income tax; for young trained farmers and registered farm partnerships. Stamp duty exemptions have been maintained on transfers of land to young trained farmers. This Government has also increased the tax free threshold for Capital Acquisitions Tax by about one quarter from €225,000 to €280,000.

“Changes made to the taxation of the self-employed will impact on most farmers who will benefit from the new €550 tax credit and reduced USC rates. These changes will mean over €800 in additional net income.

“In 2016, €494 million has been ring-fenced for the Rural Development Programme, a 12% increase; €195 million for Areas of Natural Constraint (ANCs); €35.8 million for TAMS, €52 million for the Beef Data Genomics Programme and €203 million for Agri–Environment Schemes including GLAS, AEOS  and ORGANICS.

“This Government has prioritised agriculture and makes no apology for that. The agri-food sector has been essential in driving the recovery and is playing a major role as we work to keep the recovery going in Meath and in all parts of the country.”

Minister English highlights Tara Mines impact on Meath economy at national launch for €18 million in Geoscience research

Photo of Prof. Mark Ferguson, John Ashton, Chief Exploration Geologist, Boliden Tara Mines Limited and Minister English at iCrag Launch.

RTE 6.1 News coverage: http://www.rte.ie/news/player/six-one-news-web/2015/1202/

On December 2nd local T.D. and Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English officially launched iCRAG, the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences. The new Research Centre will focus on the discovery, de-risking and sourcing of raw materials, water and energy resources that are critical to our economy locally and nationally Minister English said.

The centre will receive funding of €18 million from Minister English’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Research Centres Programme, with an additional €8 million from 55 industry partners that include Tara Mines owner Boliden, as well as Geoscience Ireland, Tullow Oil and Petroleum Infrastructure Programme.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English TD, said, “A key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is to continue to build on the major achievements in scientific research with a focus on turning great ideas into good, sustainable jobs and keeping our recovery going. iCRAG is an exciting new research centre which will ultimately grow jobs and support further participation in the STEM sector.”

Tara Mines

“Ireland has a 50 year history of zinc and lead mineral exploration and production. The industry has employed many people particularly in Meath – where Tara Mines is Europe’s largest zinc mine and the world’s ninth largest, it makes a major contribution to the economy of Navan and the wider county. We need to encourage and support industry in their efforts to find the next Navan, and extending the life of this important sector for our economy” Minister English said.

iCRAG will help companies de-risk the exploration for groundwater, hydrocarbons and minerals. This will ultimately help companies explore our natural resources for our benefit. At a time when 95% of our fossil fuels are imported, iCRAG research will help to decrease the risks of Irish exploration and attract more companies to invest in exploration. Security of access to energy is a critical issue for Ireland, given our huge dependence on imported fuels.

Clean Water

Security of access to clean water is a basic requirement for the people of Ireland. Surprisingly nearly 20% of that water comes from under the ground and has to be discovered by geologists. Modern industries are becoming more water hungry, e.g. the IT sector with Facebook’s location at Clonee in Co. Meath, and agri-business. Some of the main growth areas for Ireland are underpinned by the provision of secure supplies of water. iCRAG’s research will help to better discover and sustain these important sources of water.