Home Care Plus Announces 50 Jobs

A private home care company has announced plans to create up to 50 jobs in the Leinster region over the coming year.

Home Care Plus says it is in the process of recruiting 20 carers and expects to generate another 30 jobs in the next 12 months. The firm provides care for elderly and unwell people in their own homes.

Forestry Information Programme For Cork Is Launched At Ploughing Championships

Tony Killeen, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry, today officially launched 'Today's Woodland - Our Resource for Tomorrow', a pilot forestry information programme that will take place in West Cork from 4th to 16th October 2009.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy, Co. Kildare, Minister of State Killeen said that the focus of the pilot programme was to create awareness among the general public about the multi-functional benefits of all our forests and woodlands and also to provide information to forestry owners on the importance of sustainable forest management.  He added: "The Government has made considerable investment in forestry establishment and downstream development areas.  It is essential that forest owners and the public at large appreciate the long-term benefits of this resource for the economy, the environment and society generally."

The Minister of State welcomed the participation of a variety of bodies from the forestry, farming, non-governmental and the state sectors in the organisation of the pilot forestry programme and the various events to be held as part of the programme.  "These events include management demonstrations for forest owners, school visits and education events for primary and secondary school students, a wood energy seminar hosted by Sustainable Energy Ireland and a seminar on the various aspects of creating a woodland culture hosted by Teagasc and the Forest Service", commented Minister of State Killeen.

Participating organisations include: Crann, the Tree Council of Ireland, IFA, Society of Irish Foresters, Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Teagasc, Sustainable Energy Ireland and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.  The programme will commence at an Open Day hosted by the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation at the Manch Estate, near Dunmanway, Co. Cork, on Sunday 4th October.

Acceptance Of Lisbon Treaty Will Aid Irish Economic Recovery Says Killeen

Junior Minister and Clare Deputy Tony Killeen has said that Ireland's acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty in the upcoming Referendum would greatly assist Irish economic recovery and ensure that the country remained at the centre of Europe.

Minister of State Killeen noted that the scale of the current economic challenges could only be tackled by countries working more closely together. He continued: "We need an efficient and reformed EU to help us. Europe has listened to the Irish people and has given new guarantees on all of the main issues from last year. The Treaty is subject to these legal guarantees. Bearing in mind that in over 50 years the EU has fully honoured every one of many similar guarantees, we can be sure that voting Yes to Lisbon is a vote for economic recovery in both Ireland and Europe. No is the vote for Ireland taking a step away in a new and more uncertain direction".

Commenting on the legal guarantees received from the EU in June, Minister of State Killeen pointed out: "Voting Yes will ensure Ireland retains its Commissioner. A No vote will mean current rules remain, which means the loss of automatic Commission membership immediately. In 2008, 80% of people were concerned about this issue. It has now been addressed."

"Voting Yes will enhance Ireland's ability to attract investment. The people who invest in Ireland and support hundred of thousands of jobs say that confidence in our position as a Euro-positive country matters a lot for them. Only a Yes will help maintain confidence at this difficult time. Voting Yes is also good for workers and social protection. The Treaty is based on the idea of enabling both growth and social protection, building on the Union's role as the great protection of workers and consumers", he added.

Minister of State Killeen said that Ireland needed a reformed EU to tackle the economic crisis. "A Union frozen in the past is of no use to anyone, but a Union that is more dynamic and effective is essential for our future. A more efficient EU is to our benefit. We also need to send a strong signal to our EU partners and to international investors that we are a fully engaged EU country. Ratifying Lisbon will send this vital signal", he concluded.

Climate Change Strategies Must Consider Security Of Food Supply - Killeen

The need to ensure security of food supply and the doubling of global food production in Europe over the next forty years should be considered when addressing the challenge of reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, stated Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., today.

The Clare Deputy said he believed the European Union should assume a lead role in the effort to ensure sustainable food production in Europe, and to achieve global food security while effectively addressing the challenges of climate change. He commented: “These objectives will not be easy to reconcile. However, improved efficiency and productivity has already had a significant impact on Greenhouse Gas emissions from European agriculture. Much has been achieved through better farm management, progress in animal breeding and better use of fertiliser.”

Minister Killeen noted that, in Ireland’s case, efficiency improvements have led to a reduction of approximately 12% in the methane emissions associated with each tonne of milk output since 1990. “Emissions from agriculture represent 27% of Ireland’s overall emissions and almost 40% of Ireland’s non-trading sector emissions. This is the highest level of any Member State”, he added.

“Carbon efficiency can be further improved somewhat, without reducing food production. However, the scale of the challenge of climate change, and the manner in which we choose to address it, may result in unintended negative impacts, both in terms of Europe’s role in global food production and global Greenhouse Gas emissions levels. Therefore, there should be a consolidation of European research into technologies that will deliver mitigation and assist in adapting to the changes that are unavoidable”, concluded Minister of State Killeen.

First Official Report Of Equine Piroplasmosis In Ireland

Junior Agriculture Minister, Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., today confirmed that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has identified the occurrence of equine Piroplasmosis in a number of thoroughbred horses in an equine facility in county Meath.

Piroplasmosis is a tick-borne protozoan disease of horses, mules, donkeys and zebra. It is caused by blood parasites – Theleria equi and Babesia caballi and gives rise to anaemia and jaundice in affected animals. The disease is not readily contagious and has no Zoonotic implications and therefore no public health concerns arise. According to Minister Killeen: “The County Meath facility affected by the occurrence of equine Piroplasmosis has been served with a movement restriction notice and epidemiological investigations are underway to establish the origin of the disease and the extent of the spread, if any, to other locations.”

“The Department has been in contact with industry representatives who have been informed of the situation. A meeting with industry representatives has been arranged to discuss the implications for animal movement and the measures appropriate to address the threat posed by the disease”, he added.

A notifiable disease in Ireland since July 2009, Piroplasmosis has not been officially reported in this country before although it is understood that a previous incursion did take place. The disease is present in Mediterranean countries but is not present in the US, Canada, the UK or Australia.

EU Agriculture Ministers Seek Improvements For Dairy Market

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has backed calls by fifteen EU Member States for major improvements in support for hard-pressed dairy farmers.

The call was made at a meeting of the EU council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels this week. The 15 Ministers agreed that additional rapid action at EU level was required to deal with the critical situation on European milk markets driven by the global economic crisis.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The group called for a comprehensive EU approach combining immediate short-term measures along with a medium term strategy to deal with volatility in the milk sector. I am especially heartened by the strong support from so many Member States for effective action on these issues. It is critically important for these countries to continue to work closely together to ensure that this leads to real and immediate action leading to the recovery in the EU milk market and realistic prices for farmers.”

He continued: “Among the measures being called for is a temporary increase in the intervention price, and careful management of the disposal of intervention stocks; increased export refunds for butter, milk powder and cheese, while avoiding any distortions in developing country markets; the reactivation of aid for use of milk powder in animal feed; and consideration of measures to modernise and adapt the dairy sector.”

Minister of State Killeen welcomed the sense of urgency among Ministers to redress the increasing divergence between prices paid to farmers and those charged to consumers. “Ministers overwhelmingly supported recommendations from a high-level group to examine the balance in relationships between retailers, processors and producers and to improve the transparency of price formation at every stage in the food chain”, concluded Minister Killeen.

Reopening Of Indonesian Market To Irish EU Beef Welcomed By Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the Indonesian Government’s decision to lift its 8-year-old ban on the importation of Irish beef.

The Asian country imposed the ban for BSE-related reasons in 2001. The market is being re-opened under the conditions recommended by the Indonesian experts who visited Ireland last June. These include a requirement that the meat originate from cattle under 48 months of age. Initially access is being limited to those four plants that were inspected in June but the possibility of approving other plants, following similar inspection, remains open.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The re-opening of this valuable market reflects intensive efforts by Government at political, diplomatic and technical level. Prior to the ban exports of Irish beef to Indonesia exceeded 24,000 tonnes, valued at in excess of EUR28.5 million.”

“This development represents another significant breakthrough in regaining markets closed because of BSE and added that it will provide a welcome additional outlet for Irish beef on the world market. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will continue to work with An Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs to develop new overseas opportunities for Irish beef exporters”, he added.

Minister Killeen Reports On Current Milk Super Levy Situation

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Tony Killeen TD, has announced that based on estimated milk deliveries as submitted by milk purchasers for the period up to 31 July 2009, Ireland is 6.73% under quota when account is taken of the butterfat content of milk deliveries during the same period.

Minister of State Killeen said that the rate of super levy for the 2009/10 period is EUR0.2783 per kilogram EUR0.286565 per litre). The milk super-levy and milk quotas were introduced in 1984 marking the first major changes to the CAP since Ireland's entry to the EEC. Sheep and sucker cow numbers increased as a result.

Ireland’s milk quota position is published on the Department’s website (http://www.agriculture.gov.ie) under ‘Publications’, followed by the relevant year.

Closing Date Nears For Submissions To Organic Farming Scheme Review

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., has reminded stakeholders in the organic sector and the general public that the deadline for submissions to the review of the Organic Farming Scheme is Friday, 4 September.

Last month the Department of Agriculture announced a review of the Organic Farming Scheme under which support is paid to farmers in the sector. According to Minister of State Killeen: "The review will look at how available funds can be used to best effect to deliver increased organic production and expand the area of farmland in the sector. As part of this review, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is developing a set of criteria for selecting those applications that are most likely to contribute to the scheme objectives."

The Clare Deputy added: "The Department is inviting submissions from stakeholders in the organic sector and from the general public. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 4 September." Submissions should be sent by email if possible to organics@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford.

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen has reiterated his call for the European Commission to introduce further measures that will help stimulate the Irish dairy sector. The Junior Agriculture Minister said further action was needed to increase dairy intervention prices, along with the scope and level of export refunds. "The European Commission must urgently consider such actions due to the current downturn in milk prices. I believe there is an urgent need for the Commissioner to develop a medium term strategy to enable the sector to manage the transition to a post-quota era and to deal with the effects of market volatility", he commented.

Minister Killeen noted that Agriculture Ministers from throughout the Union would have an opportunity to address the problems in the dairy sector at the next meeting of the Council of Ministers on 7 September next.

Agri-Food Sector Needs Support Of Irish Retailers

The viability of the agri-food sector is dependent on the commitment of the Irish retail sector to sourcing and providing a comprehensive range of familiar domestic products and brands.

That is according to Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who this week said that the concentration at retail level has fundamentally changed the balance of market negotiating power in the food chain. Acknowledging that this was not an issue confined to Ireland, Minister of State Killeen added: “This is one factor behind the declining share of retail prices passed to agricultural producers. The Department has been working closely with the Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, and her Department on the details of a Code of Practice in this area, which will have as its key objective the need to achieve a balance in the relationship within the retail trade.”

The Clare T.D. explained, “The Irish Agri-food is Ireland’s most important indigenous sector, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout every county in the country, at both producer and processor level. I, along with my Department colleagues, will continue to impress upon large retailers the benefits of continuing to support, source and make available as wide and comprehensive a range of Irish products as possible.”

“While it is important that consumers continue to get value from retailers, it should be pointed out that a fair return to suppliers and producers is essential to the maintenance of thousands of Irish jobs and the survival of primary producers. The importance of a sector that supports, directly and indirectly, 230,000 jobs cannot be overstated. Furthermore, the sector has the potential to accelerate the country’s economic recovery”, he concluded.

Water Results To Be Put Online

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D. has announced that he has issued instructions to local authorities to commence publishing the results of their drinking water sampling programmes on their websites.

“I am pleased to announce this measure which is in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government to enable consumers to access user-friendly information on drinking water quality online” the Minister said.

The Minister has directed that all local authorities should publish the results of their water sampling, with access to the data being made available from a prominent position on each local authority's homepage. “Improved consumer access to information on the quality of drinking water will be a key driver in bringing about a sustained improvement in the quality of water services. Ready access by consumers to up-to-date data on water quality is not alone important in terms of protecting public health, but also it empowers consumers to actively engage with the water supplier to seek information or reassurance in relation to their drinking water supply" the Minister stated.

Under the 2007 Drinking Water Regulations the 34 County and City Councils are required to prepare a monitoring programme to cover each water supply in their functional area and to monitor all water supplies for which they are responsible. The Regulations also set down a range of chemical and micro-biological standards which drinking water supplies must comply with.

New Agri Environment Scheme To Be Introduced In 2010

The decision by Government to proceed with the introduction of a new agri-environment scheme in 2010 has been warmly welcomed by Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen T.D.

The Clare Deputy said the new scheme would be targeted at those farmers completing their REPS 3 contracts. He continued: “The new scheme, which will be funded through modulated funds and the European Economic Recovery Programme as well as the Exchequer, will impose fewer obligations and lower compliance costs on farmers. The primary aim of the scheme will be to produce tangible environmental benefits.”

The total funding for the new agri-environment scheme and the level of individual payments will be determined when the Estimates for next year are finalised. According to Minister of State Killeen: “At 62,000 participants, the highest ever since REPS began, the Minister for Agriculture had no option but to close it to new entrants as it was over subscribed. He wished to emphasise the point that thousands of farmers will continue to receive payments under REPS as part of their five-year contracts. This includes the 17,000 participants who came into the scheme this year and will be part of it for the next five years. My colleague Minister Brendan Smith is well aware and fully appreciates the concerns being expressed and has met with representatives of the farming organisations”.

Extension Of Public Intervention For Butter And Skimmed Milk Powder

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen expressed delight that pressure from the Irish Government and other EU Member States had led to the European Commission’s decision today to extend public intervention for butter and skimmed milk powder.

“This measure reflects the view at high political level of the continued importance of the dairy sector to the EU and the EC’s commitment to providing as much support as possible to address the current volatile international dairy market situation”, stated Minister of State Killeen. He added: “While prices remain at an unacceptably low level, the Irish Government will continue to mobilise colleagues in the Council of Ministers for their continued support in favour of actions in the dairy market. Such action is absolutely essential to support the Dairy Sector through a difficult period. The Irish Government will continue to highlight the need to use in the most effective way possible all Market Management measures”.

Minister Killeen has also welcomed the decision of the Milk Management Committee to extend the private storage aid scheme for butter from 15th August, when the scheme would normally close, until 28th February 2010. The scheme was introduced in January this year, two months ahead of schedule because of the difficult market situation.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen said that the Irish Government, principally, through Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, would continue to press for an increase in export refunds for cheese, butter and skimmed milk powder. “My colleague Minister Smith this week pressed for the removal of impediments to support the export outside the Community of cheese products. In parallel with an increased level of refund, we also need to secure the suspension of the free-at-frontier price so that cheese refunds would actually benefit exporters. The export of quality cheeses from the EU would act as a stimulus to the market and generate much needed demand”, concluded the Clare T.D.

Commission Must Continue To Extend Dairy Market Supports Says Killeen

Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen today said the Irish Government supported European Commission proposals to extend public intervention for butter and skimmed milk powder.

The Clare Deputy was commenting ahead of a meeting in Brussels next week at which Member States will discuss the proposals.

“The measures being proposed by the Commission reflect the view at high political level of the continued importance of the dairy sector to the EU and its willingness to provide as much support as possible to address the current volatile international dairy market situation”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

He added: “While prices remain at an unacceptably low level, the Irish Government, through Minister Brendan Smith, will continue to mobilise colleagues in the Council of Ministers for their continued support in favour of actions in the dairy market. Such action is absolutely essential to support the Dairy Sector through a difficult period. The Irish Government will continue to highlight the need to use in the most effective way possible all Market Management measures”.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has welcomed the decision of the Milk Management Committee to extend the private storage aid scheme for butter from 15th August, when the scheme would normally close, until 28th February 2010.

The scheme was introduced in January this year, two months ahead of schedule because of the difficult market situation.

Second Irish Language Scheme Is Published

The availability of public services through the Irish language will be further strengthened over the coming years, according to Minister of State Tony Killeen.

The Clare T.D. made his comments following the publication of the second Irish Language Scheme 2009 – 2012 by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. said the new Scheme builds on and consolidates the commitments in the first Scheme. He explained: “It sets out a commitment on behalf of the Department to develop the extent to which services are currently available through Irish and identifies areas for future enhancement. Under this Scheme the Government will continue to deliver the commitments set out in its first scheme and will build on the progress achieved over the preceding period. I am also pleased that this new Scheme sets out a framework for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to further develop the extent to which services are currently available to our customers through Irish.”

Minister of State Killeen continued: “This Scheme also takes account of the adoption by Government in December 2006 of the Policy Statement in relation to Irish that sets out a number of key principles for supporting the language; the policy context of the proposed 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language; and the particular mandate that the Department has in respect of supporting the extension and growth in use of the Irish language countrywide, including its maintenance in the Gaeltacht, which is the primary source of the living language.”

In relation to the wider implementation of the Official Languages Act, the Department has worked with partners to develop a range of supports to assist public bodies in meeting their obligations under the Act and in meeting the challenges of delivering on the commitments in their respective Language Schemes. These include:
- a Quality Assurance System for Translators;
- an on-line database of placenames www.logainm.ie;
- development of an Irish Language Translation Memory Resource;
- a glossary of signage and other terms established by Foras na Gaeilge on its website www.gaeilge.ie;
- development of a database of EU and legal terminology in Irish; and
- Freagra, a help-line for the public sector (freagra@acmhainn.ie).

Minister of State Killeen said it is envisaged the Department will continue to make such supports available, as appropriate, in the period ahead.

The Department’s Language Scheme 2009-1012 is available on www.pobail.ie

New Post Grad Course In Veterinary Public Health

Junior Agriculture Minister, Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the launch of a new Post Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Public Health.

The course has been developed by the universities in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet the continuing educational needs of Official Veterinarians involved in regulating the food industry. “The course, which will be jointly conferred by University College Dublin and The University of Ulster, is delivered entirely on-line and is the first of its kind to be available anywhere in Europe”; explained Minister of State Killeen. The Co Clare Deputy added: “The Department of Agriculture’s contribution to developing this new course and continuing education for official veterinarians engaged in veterinary public health, demonstrates the importance it gives to the proper regulation of the food industry. This regulation is essential if Ireland is to maintain and enhance its position as a producer of food of the very highest quality in European and world markets.”

“This type of continued collaborative work is mutually beneficial to us all and anything that strengthens our controls can only enhance Ireland’s profile within the agri-food sector,” concluded Minister Killeen.

Electricians go on strike

Over 10,000 electricians across the country are staging a strike today in a dispute over pay.

Electricians are looking for an 11.3% increase which they say is overdue. Employers say their claim is unrealistic in the current economic climate and want a 10% pay cut from the electricians.

Meanwhile, a picket by the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union has been placed at the Moneypoint ESB Station, near Kilrush. RTE reports that a number of workers at the plant did not pass the picket this morning but it is not clear how many. A spokesperson for Eirgrid said there was no threat to electricity supply but that the situation continues to be monitored by them and the ESB.

Today's action, which does not affect electricity supply, follows the collapse of talks at the Labour Relations Commission over the weekend.

McDonalds creates 60 jobs in Maynooth

There is some good news on the jobs front today with the opening of McDonalds in County Kildare.

The branch, in Maynooth, will employ 60 people. McDonalds is investing €12m in new stores around the country, creating more than 200 new jobs.

Ireland Is Declared Brucellosis Free

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine, Mr. Tony Killeen has warmly welcomed the EU Commission’s approval of Ireland’s application for official brucellosis free status.

“For some time, Ireland has been in a position to be declared Brucellosis-free because of the dramatic reduction in the incidence of Brucellosis over the past decade and because there has been no confirmed outbreak of this disease here since April 2006”, explained Minister of State Killeen.

The Fianna Fail TD for Clare described the EC’s approval as a “significant development” for Irish agriculture. He pointed out that securing Brucellosis-free status for Ireland would now enable the Department of Agriculture to reduce some of the control elements of the eradication programme over the coming years with a beneficial impact on farmers, particularly in relation to trade.

Minister of State Killeen continued, “I acknowledge that the eradication arrangements have been disruptive and costly both to farmers and to the Department of Agriculture, in terms of compensation and the substantial additional costs incurred on testing and other economic losses arising from the premature removal of infected cattle. Our combined efforts and success in combating Brucellosis is due to a number of factors, not least the full cooperation of all stakeholders with the eradication regime.”

Minister Killeen welcomed the confirmation from his colleague and Minister for agriculture Brendan Smith that a controlled reduction in the brucellosis eradication programme would take place over a period of years. He stated: “There will be an increase in the period of the pre-movement test from 30 to 60 days, while the age threshold for round testing will be increased to 24 months. However, in view of the greater risk attached to the movement, particularly the movement of breeding animals, the age limit for the pre-movement test will be retained at 12 months except in the case of bulls, for which the age limit is being increased to 18 months, given the lower risk of transmitting the disease.”

Minister Killeen said that the new arrangements would be implemented as soon as possible after the publication of the Commission Decision and the necessary amendments are made to national legislation.

Electric and plumbing firm creates 70 jobs

A Tyrone-based company that provides plumbing and electrical services has announced plans to create 70 jobs in the Leinster region in the coming years.

O'Kane Plumbing and Electrics said the positions will be created during the next three years. It says it plans to upskill prospective employees to ensure full familiarity with the renewable energy sector.