Results 13,721-13,740 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Drafting of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which gives effect to commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government and the renewed Programme for Government is ongoing in my Department. The legislation will amend and consolidate previous legislation in the area of animal health, particularly to reflect the changed disease status of our animals...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (10 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Two schemes were introduced by the Government to assist those affected by the dioxin contamination of 2008: these were the Pigmeat Recall Scheme and the Pig and Cattle Disposal Scheme. To date, a total of €69m has been paid to qualifying applicants under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme, €35m in 2008 and €34m to date in 2009. Of this, €30m has been paid to primary processors and €39m to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: A REPS 3 payment to the person named has been approved and he will receive it in the coming week.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the regulation of aquaculture in Lough Foyle. My Department is responsible for the regulation of aquaculture in the State. However, the governing legislation, the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, does not apply to the Moville area within the meaning of the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. The Foyle and Carlingford Irish Lights Commission (the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The REPS 3 payment due to the person named will issue within the next 10 days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75%...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information sought by the Deputy will be published in the context of the 2010 Budget, details of which are being announced by the Minister for Finance this afternoon.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: As indicated in my previous reply of 18 November, an application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2009. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 22 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments have continued to issue, as outstanding issues are resolved. While it...

Written Answers — Fodder Aid Scheme: Fodder Aid Scheme (3 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Fodder Aid Scheme which I announced will require individual farmers to demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage. Although this scheme is targeted primarily at farmers in the West, Midlands and South West who suffered damage to fodder (silage, hay, straw or concentrates) caused by flooding in November 2009, those farmers in other areas also affected by the...

Written Answers — Fodder Aid Scheme: Fodder Aid Scheme (3 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Fodder Aid Scheme which I announced will require individual farmers to demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and the extent of that damage. Although this scheme is targeted primarily at farmers in the West, Midlands and South West who suffered damage to fodder (silage or hay or concentrates) caused by flooding in November 2009, those farmers in other areas also affected by the recent...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (3 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following an on-the-spot REPS inspection carried out by my officials on 8 October 2008, the person named was found to be non-compliant with his undertakings under Measure 3 (fencing of wells and boreholes), Measure 5 (maintaining farm and field boundaries) and Biodiversity Option 5A (hedgerow rejuvenation). Penalties totalling 45% were imposed. The person named appealed the decision to the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. The processing of applications is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75% payment due on valid applications in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75% payment due on valid applications in mid...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 15th July, the Government approved my plan for a reorganisation of my Department's Local Office Network. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the Department will operate District Veterinary, Forestry and Agricultural Environment and Structures support services in the future. The decision to close some forty offices of the Department was made only...

Written Answers — Food Safety Standards: Food Safety Standards (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The draft legal instrument to introduce a ban on the sale of raw milk from all species for direct human consumption is at an advanced stage. Officials from my Department have been in consultation with the Department of Health and Children with a view to implementing the ban by means of a Statutory Instrument under the Health Act of 1947 (as amended). A public consultation process was...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: This is a matter for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent authority, which was established under Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 on January 1st 2007. The Act clearly provides that the Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I have no remit as to its work programme or its strategic deployment of resources. I have, however,...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application from the person named was received in my Department on 27 October 2009. All applications received up to the closing date of 30 October are being examined in my Department at present. The details of the application from the person named, as well as the funding available, will be taken into account in reaching a decision. As soon as the decision has been made, she will be...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is a matter for REPS participants to paint farmyard sheds themselves or to arrange to have them painted and I do not intend to introduce a register of approved painting contractors. I would however encourage anyone who is aware of possible breaches of social welfare schemes to report such incidences to the relevant authority for investigation.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (2 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: A person intending to acquire milk quota as a new entrant under the Milk Quota Trading Scheme must satisfy a number of eligibility criteria. These include having the necessary educational qualifications, having previously held no quota, and having their own lands, herd number and separate milking facilities. The detailed rules governing the scheme are available from my Department (including...