Irish Live Register Figures Drop In September

The numbers claiming benefits on the Live Register fell across all regions during September, with Mayo posting the biggest county fall, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) today.

Earlier this week, Live Register statistics released from the CSO revealed the number of people claiming unemployment benefits had fallen by over 16,000 since last month. There were 423,639 people signing on the register during September compared to 440,056 last month, a drop of 16,417 (-3.7 per cent).

Additional figures published today showed the decline was reflected across the State, with the largest percentage fall in the Border region (-4.8 per cent). The smallest decrease was in the greater Dublin area, at -2.9 per cent. In the year to September 2009 the number of people on the unadjusted Live Register rose by 183,422 (+76.4 per cent). All regions showed annual increases with the largest percentage increase in the mid-east region (+83.1 per cent), while the south-east region had the smallest increase (+68.1 per cent).

During September, however, the number of males claiming benefits fell in all regions, with the biggest downward trends coming in the Border and mid-east regions (-2.9 per cent), while the smallest percentage decreases were in the midland and south-west regions (-1.4 per cent). The number of females also decreased in all regions in the month, with largest and smallest decrease in the Border region (-8.3 per cent) and Dublin region (-5.4 per cent), respectively.

On a county basis, the biggest percentage drop for last month was in Mayo (-6.9 per cent), while the smallest percentage decrease was in Laois (-2.3 per cent). Outside Dublin (103,079) and Cork (45,563), Galway Social Welfare offices (24,206) had the most people on the Register last month, followed by Limerick (21,188). Leitrim had the lowest numbers claiming benefits, at just over 3,500, followed by Roscommon (3,758). In Dublin, Tallaght and Clondalkin Social Welfare offices headed the statistics, with over 9,600 claimants in each case last month.

In September, there were 345,158 Irish nationals and 78,481 non-Irish nationals on the Live Register, in what was a monthly decrease of 14,594 (-4.1 per cent) in Irish nationals and a decrease of 1,823 (-2.3 per cent) in non-Irish nationals. In the year to September 2009 the number of Irish nationals on the Live Register rose by 146,155, while the annual increase for non-Irish nationals was 37,267. A number of Social Welfare offices have seen the numbers claiming benefit double between September 2008 and last month, including Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin (3,768 to 7,912) and Maynooth, Co Kildare, (2,763 to 6,185).

The Live Register is not designed to measure unemployment, as it includes part-time workers, seasonal and casual workers entitled to jobseekers’ benefit or allowance. Unemployment is measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey. The most recent figure for April to June 2009, is 264,600 persons unemployed.

ARTICLE - The Irish Times

Swine Flu Deaths Recorded In West And East Of Ireland

Two more people have died from human swine flu in Ireland, the Health Service Executive has confirmed today.

The HSE said one woman was from the west of the country and the other from the eastern region. Both women had underlying medical conditions.

Their deaths bring the total number of swine flu fatalities in the Republic to four.

New Animal Welfare Guidelines Are Launched

The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) today launched a new booklet entitled 'Animal Welfare Guidelines for Managing Acutely Injured Livestock on Farm'.

The publication sets out a procedure for managing an injured animal on farm including live transport to a slaughterhouse or transport following an emergency slaughter on farm. Stakeholders outside of FAWAC involved with veterinary public health issues have also been consulted in drafting the guidelines.

Welcoming the launch of the new booklet, Junior Agriculture Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., said the guidelines set out very comprehensively a method for managing injured livestock. The Clare T.D. added: These guidelines not which not only protects the welfare of the animal but also safeguards consumer health by providing very clear protocols to be followed by the farmer, his/her private veterinary practitioner and the slaughter plant in managing the injured animal".

"The procedure now in place will support farmers and their private veterinary practitioners in arriving at an informed decision on how best to deal with an injured animal. In establishing this protocol, which is provided for in European hygiene legislation and which specifically applies to healthy animals that have suffered some form of accident on farm, it provides an opportunity for farmers to achieve an economic benefit from some animals which heretofore would have had to be disposed of as fallen stock", stated Minister of State Killeen.

The booklet is available on the FAWAC website at www.fawac.ie or from the FAWAC Secretariat - email FAWAC@agriculture.gov.ie

Ganley Calls Lisbon Referendum Undemocratic

Libertas founder and former Northwest Constituency European Election candidate Declan Ganley has said next month's referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is 'profoundly undemocratic'.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Ganley said the electorate was being asked to vote again on exactly the same treaty. He dismissed suggestions that a No vote would hurt the economy and said the only people voters risked annoying were 'a bunch of unelected bureaucrats' reports RTE. 'The Irish people had a vote on the Lisbon Treaty. They voted No. A higher percentage of the electorate voted no than voted for Barack Obama in the United States of America. No one's suggesting he should run for re-election next month.'

Last June, Mr Ganley failed to win a seat in the European Parliament in the Ireland North West constituency.

HSE West Defends Overspend

The Director of HSE West, Dr Seán Conroy, yesterday defended a €30 million overspend this year in operating the region’s hospitals, saying patients do not have heart attacks or have babies according to budget.

Dr Conroy was speaking at a meeting of the HSE West hospitals’ committee where members were told the cost overrun in the western hospital group was €22 million and in the midwest hospital group was €8 million to the end of July. According to today’s Irish Times newspaper, Senior HSE officials John Doyle and Alan Moran confirmed to members that bed closures would take place in the hospital network that serves an area stretching from Limerick to Donegal.

Speaking on the €22.7 million overspend to €403 million in the western hospital group, Mr Moran said the HSE would not be able to break even in the area by the end of the year, but increased efficiencies, bed closures and staff reductions would cut the deficit.

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.

REPS Slurry Spreading Period Extended

REPS farmers unable to spread slurry on their land due to the recent poor weather conditions have been buoyed by a six-week extension of the REPS slurry-spreading period.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food this week announced the temporary measure to assist REPS farmers. According to Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: “The measure applies to farmers in REPS 3 who are required to have spread all the slurry produced during the winter housing period by 31 August”. The Clare T.D. said: “The atrocious weather conditions of the past two months have made it extremely difficult for some local REPS farmers to get their slurry spread by the end of this month”.

He continued: “The Nitrates Regulations would rule out spreading in many areas at the moment. I am delighted, therefore, that Minister Smith has agreed to extend the deadline to 15 October, which is the deadline in the Nitrates Regulations themselves and also applies to farmers in REPS 4”.

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.

West Of Ireland Woman Dies From Swine Flu

A young woman from the west of Ireland has died from human swine flu at Tallaght Hospital in Dublin.

She is the first person to die from the H1N1 virus here since the first cases emerged in this country in May reports RTE NEWS. Department of Health officials said this evening that the woman had an underlying medical condition.

In a statement this evening, Tallaght Hospital said in order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of the family no personal details will be made available.

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.

Killeen Welcomes Public Consultation On CAP

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the commencement of a public consultation process on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2013.

Individuals and organisations are being given until the end of September to forward submissions regarding the shape and content of the revised policy. Minister of State Killeen said: “This public consultation process has been launched to find out what programmes people think will best serve Ireland and the EU in the future. The Department of Agriculture has also prepared an information note outlining some of the options being put forward for European agricultural policy after 2013, and setting out briefly the views that Ireland has expressed to date.”

Currently there is a review in train of all aspects of the EU budget. This will be followed by negotiations to determine the composition of the next Financial Perspective of the EU from 2014 to 2020, including the funding available for agriculture and rural development. Parallel with this process, the 27 Member States and the Commission are in the early stages of considering the shape and content of the CAP for the period after 2013.

“A number of common themes and key issues are already emerging from these debates and they, together with discussions on the future EU budget, are set to inform the concrete proposals that will be tabled at a later date. For these reasons the Minister for Agriculture has decided to undertake a consultation process with Irish stakeholders to obtain their views on what EU agriculture policies they believe will serve Ireland and the EU best in the years to come”, commented Minister of State Killeen.

Written submissions should be sent by email to cap@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to EU Trade Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Floor 6 Centre, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 marked “Submission on CAP after 2013”. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Wednesday 30 September 2009. The consultation document is available on the Department’s website www.agriculture.gov.ie. It is also available on request from EU Trade Division, telephone number 01 607 2422 or 607 2813 or email to cap@agriculture.gov.ie

Lisbon No Vote Will Isolate Ireland In Europe, Says Killeen

A “No” verdict in the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would greatly undermine Ireland’s bargaining power on vital issues in Europe.

That is according to Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen who warned that a second rejection of the Treaty in October would diminish Ireland’s credibility abroad.

“Having attended numerous Council of Ministers meetings before and since the Treaty was rejected by Irish voters last year, I have noticed a distinct change in the attitudes of other EU member states towards Ireland”, stated the Junior Agriculture Minister. He continued: “It has become increasingly evident that Ireland no longer holds the same goodwill and appreciation of other member states as it did prior to the first referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. Such a situation, if allowed to continue, will greatly undermine Ireland’s bargaining position at EU level.”

Minister of State Killeen noted that a second rejection of the Lisbon Treaty would have serious consequences for Irish agriculture and other business sectors. He added that a ‘Yes’ vote would deliver increased access to European Markets.

“Ireland is a small open economy which exports over 80% of every product and service it produces. Through our membership of the EU and the creation of the single market Irish business can now sell all of its goods and services to 486 million customers throughout the EU on an equal footing to any other company in the EU. In the past 10 years Irish companies have doubled their exports into EU member states from EUR44 billion to EUR87billion. However, the European single market is not yet fully realised particularly in the area of services. A yes vote on the Lisbon Reform Treaty would result in the single market project becoming more efficient and Irish business securing further business opportunities”, stated Minister of State Killeen.

The Clare T.D. outlined a series of other positive consequences for Ireland as a result of accepting the Lisbon Treaty. “Ireland will retain a veto in key areas for Irish Business, while businesses will be afforded increased access to international markets and power to shape the rules of international trade. A Yes vote will also mean that Irish business will continue to develop highly skilled jobs, our ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) will improve, Irish business will have a flexible and adaptable workforce, R&D potential will be enhanced, and Ireland’s exposure regarding energy security will be reduced”, concluded Minister Killeen.

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”.

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.

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.

Every household to receive Lisbon postcard

A postcard explaining the legal guarantees secured by the Government in relation to the Lisbon Treaty is to be sent to every household in the country.

The Government information campaign comes just three months ahead of a controversial second referendum on the treaty planned for early October.

The guarantees in respect of taxation, neutrality and abortion were agreed at June’s EU summit in Brussels and will be incorporated in a series of treaty protocols.

Minister Killeen Welcomes Pledge Of Support For Undocumented Irish

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. has warmly welcomed a pledge by a Congressional Delegation to support the case of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

The Chairman of the “Friends of Ireland,” Congressman Richie Neal, today offered the group’s support to the case of the undocumented and pledged to further assist efforts to foster economic relations between the US and Ireland. Mr Neal made his comments during bi-lateral talks between the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation and an Irish Parliamentary delegation.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The status of the undocumented Irish remains an issue of the highest priority for me and one that I have raised at Government level both in Ireland and the US on numerous occasions. Indeed, I have previously met with Congressman Neal in Washington and am delighted that he has again offered to support the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish.” The County Clare Deputy added: “Many Irish people have settled in the USA but, unable to return home, they have been separated from their families and their homes for many years. I am particularly pleased that the Friends of Ireland Congressional Delegation have pledged their support to this important issue. The group’s commitment to advance the case of undocumented is very important and much appreciated".

This week’s bi-lateral talks centred on the case of the undocumented Irish in the US, the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, Ireland-US relations, International Fund for Ireland and the World Financial Crisis. Commenting during his visit to Ireland, Congressman Neal said: “The need for a strong relationship between Ireland and the US is now more important than ever. The Friends of Ireland Congressional Group has a long tradition of cultivating and supporting links between Ireland and the US, and during our meetings with the Ceann Comhairle, Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Party Leaders we have undertaken to continue this support. We have also agreed to advance the case of the thousands of undocumented Irish in the US. Many of these people have made lives for themselves in America and contribute positively to the communities they live in. We feel a way must be found to accommodate the needs of this group of people.”

The Friends of Ireland is a group of United States Congressmen, which promotes Irish interests in the US Houses of Representatives and helps to foster trade and cultural links between Ireland and the US.

Supermarket deliveries threatened by Kildare protest

Deliveries to Centra and Supervalu stores across the country could be disrupted by a protest being held at distribution centre in County Kildare.

Hundreds of angry farmers have descended on Musgrave distribution centre in Kilcock today in protest at the prices they are being paid for their produce.

The IFA says supermarkets are forcing farmers to sell them milk, meat and vegetables below the cost of production in a move that is putting their livelihoods at risk. Farmers have responded by blocking the entrance to the Musgrave centre, which distributes to Supervalu and Centra outlets around the country.

In-store tobacco advertising ban to be enforced from tomorrow

A ban on the display and advertising of tobacco in retail stores will come into effect tomorrow.

Tobacco will now be placed in closed plain containers behind the counter.

Vending machines in pubs will be token operated and within the sight of the bar manager, reports RTE.