Results 12,301-12,320 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named was paid on his SPS entitlements on 27th January 2010 following deduction without penalty, on the ground of force majeure/exceptional circumstances, of a land parcel also claimed by another applicant.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A major rationalisation plan for my Department was approved by Government last year. This plan involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Department's local office network and provides a fully integrated service to our farming clients and the wider agri-food and rural environmental sectors at regional level. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The disposal of fallen animals is subject to EU Regulations, notably Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. These regulations require that animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved knackeries and rendering plants. While my Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme in general ceased with effect from 14th April 2009, I have continued to provide financial...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 11 animals for consideration under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, meal must be provided to the calves for at least four weeks before they are weaned from their mothers. As this requirement was not complied with, the applicant is not eligible for payment. The applicant has been informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The appointment of a person to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Irish National Stud (INS) Company Limited is a matter for the Board of the INS. The Board of the Irish National Stud Company Limited appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Company following an open competition process. My Department has no role in the recruitment process. My approval, given with the consent...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention has not been drawn to this matter.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention was drawn to certain allegations concerning human resource issues at the Irish National Stud Company Limited. However, the Board in accordance with its remit dealt with these matters, which I understand are now the subject of legal proceedings.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named has submitted an application to join the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). Over 9,000 farmers have applied to join the scheme and all applications submitted must now be administratively checked to ensure that they comply with the scheme conditions. When this process is complete, successful applicants will be notified in writing of the commencement date of their...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 22 animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, animals from herds of more than 10 cows must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. According to information provided by the person named, all of the animals were weaned on the same day. Therefore,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that there are no delays in payments under the under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments are issuing on a continuous basis to those participants who have fully complied with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Officials from my Department are in constant contact with farmers where queries have been identified in order to complete the processing of each case.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named applied for 19 animals in 2009 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. Payment cannot issue until all of the animals have been weaned to ensure compliance with this condition.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: It is a condition of the Suckler Welfare Scheme that for herds with more than 10 Suckler Cows that the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with each group being removed at a minimum interval of five days. This is one of the primary conditions of the Scheme. Payment cannot issue, therefore, for these herds until all of the animals have been weaned and have been found to...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The most recent decommissioning of fishing vessels scheme was administered by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and the closing date for applications was 30th April 2008, with monies paid out in two tranches in 2008 and 2009. There are no specific plans for a new decommissioning scheme, at this stage. In respect of the actual decommissioning of vessels, the obligations on approved applicants...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 9,060 applications for the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) were received in my Department by the closing date of 17 May 2010.

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some 9,060 applications to join the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) have been received in my Department. It is not possible to estimate the expected cost for 2010–2011 until each application is assessed for eligibility and each payment is computed. This work is now under way. I am satisfied, however, that the financial provision in place is sufficient to service all...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The date for receipt of applications under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme is fixed by the European Commission Regulations governing all EU-funded areas-based schemes, and my Department has no discretion in the matter.

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Option Scheme: Agri-Environment Option Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new Agri-Environment Options Scheme which I launched on 30 March was open to those farmers who finished their contracts in REPS 3 on or before 30 April 2010 as well as to new entrants. The Scheme has proved very popular, with over 9,000 applications received by my Department by the closing date of 17 May. This uptake means that all EU funds available for agri-environment measures will...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: There were 16,846 applications received up to 15 May 2009, and of these 14,690 have received their payments for 2009. All outstanding cases are being dealt with, and where possible have been brought to payment stage. Those with queries, or those rejected, were referred back to the applicants. An opportunity was given to applicants whose plans had been rejected on certain grounds to submit...

Written Answers — Farm Incomes: Farm Incomes (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: 2008 and 2009 were difficult years in terms of farm incomes. The National Farm Survey 2009 reports a decline of 30% in family farm income following a fall of approximately 14% in 2008. In 2009, the decline in income was mainly a result of a decline in output prices, particularly in the dairy sector, while in 2008 the decline was mainly a result of rising input costs. Market support...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The REPS 4 payment belonging to the person named could not be processed because an issue had to be resolved that related to his Single Payment application. My officials hope to resolve this issue shortly and the REPS payment will then be processed immediately.