Results 11,721-11,740 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is anticipated that planting in 2010 will be in the region of 7,000 hectares. Like all other State spending programmes the funding for the afforestation programme in 2011 is currently being considered as part of the Estimates process. I am well aware of the contribution forestry makes, through carbon sequestration, in meeting our climate change commitments. In 2008 Kyoto-eligible...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November 2010.

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Renewed Programme for Government commits, subject to resources, to increase the level of annual planting to 10,000 hectares per annum. In order to make progress towards that objective provision of €116.5m was made in 2010 to facilitate an increase in planting from 6,648 hectares in 2009 to 7,000 hectares this year. This increased planting is on course to be met. The serious decline in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 19 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2010. The 50% advance payment, which issued on 18 October, was in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are identified, the further payment due will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2010. The advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 18 October, based on the land cleared at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required digitisation; immediately this process is complete, provided no errors are...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on the 26 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named registered 64 animals in the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. The person named has received payment in respect of 58 animals, which were eligible for payment. There are outstanding queries in respect of all of the remaining animals. My Department has received no reply to the letter issued to the person named regarding these queries.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on the 8 April 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Animal Identification Inspection. The inspection process is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue within...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2010. Advance payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payment Scheme issued on 21 September and 18 October, respectively, in both cases based on the land cleared at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application of the person named required...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2010. A number of parcels listed on the application required re-digitisation, as this process is now complete, the total payment due in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue to the person named in the coming days.

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The market performance of the meat, dairy and cereal sectors is a function of supply and demand, and has been affected by the recent global economic downturn, exchange rates and other factors. Food Harvest 2020 provides a vision for Irish Agri-food and Fisheries for the next 10 years and includes specific recommendations for these valuable sectors. Dairy Sector The development of a strong and...

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: My development programme for the dairy sector is, in fact, a ten-year one, taking the sector to milk quota abolition and beyond. The Food Harvest 2020 report, which I launched during the summer with the Taoiseach, outlines the positive prospects for the dairy sector over the medium- to long-term, and sets an ambitious target of a 50 per cent increase in milk production by 2020. It outlines a...

Written Answers — Sheep Sector: Sheep Sector (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am strongly committed to securing a future for the sheep industry in Ireland. This sector is a valuable part of the overall agri-food sector and its future depends on its ability to meet the needs of the market. In order to do this effectively, the sector must focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer. Food Harvest 2020 provides a vision for Irish Agri-food and...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Responsibility for the enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). This is done through service contracts between the FSAI and my Department, The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Service Executive and the Local Authority...

Written Answers — Food Imports: Food Imports (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Consignments of food products of animal origin directly entering on to the territory of the EU must be the subject of a prior notification of import. My Department, in co-operation with Customs service, monitors and operates animal and public health controls at EU approved Border Inspection Posts (BIP) on all direct imports into Ireland coming from non-EU (or third) countries. These are...

Written Answers — Laboratory Facilities: Laboratory Facilities (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: The DAFF Laboratory facilities at Backweston are capable of dealing with DAFF's analytical requirements to a considerable degree but do not fully meet evolving requirements. While it is possible to carry out a large range of tests at DAFF Laboratories at Backweston, a small number of samples are sent abroad annually for tests which are not carried out at DAFF laboratories e.g. typing of...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: Farmers are currently in receipt of payments under two REP Schemes, REPS 3 and REPS 4 and there are roughly 31,000 participants in each of the schemes. REPS 3 Payments under REPS 3 are made in advance, on receipt of the farmer's application for payment on or after the anniversary date of commencement in the scheme. Generally, REPS 3 payments are made within the 8 weeks deadline, as agreed...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 together. My Department is involved in the payment of a wide range of grants and subventions including, for example, payments under the Single Payment Scheme to some 130,000 beneficiaries and area based compensation allowances to some 102,000 farmers. Payments are also made under various investment schemes, Forestry, Early Retirement, Installation...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (4 Nov 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250 and 251 together. I am determined to ensure that the proposed reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will deliver a strong and well funded policy in the years ahead. I have made my position very clear to the EU Commission and to my colleagues in the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers and I am pleased to report that there is good support for my...