Results 13,881-13,900 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no immediate plans to reopen entry to the Scheme at this time. I have, however, made provision of €9.75 million in 2009 to meet the existing commitments under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes. When the Early Retirement Scheme was suspended it became...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: In Building Ireland's Smart Economy A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, the Government recognized that major on-farm investment in infrastructure would ensure more efficient and sustainable production methods in Irish agriculture. As part of this strategy, my Department has continued to make very substantial payments under the following on-farm investment schemes since the...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of milk production includes getting milk quota into the hands of those best placed to use it effectively, at reasonable cost. The Milk Quota Trading Scheme has been very successful on both fronts. Since its inception, the Trading Scheme has allowed more than 2,800 sales of quota to be conducted, accounting for the trade of 375 million litres of...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Sector: Agri-Food Sector (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Details of the projects to be supported under a capital investment aid scheme for the beef and sheepmeat primary processing sectors were announced in May of this year. 15 projects were approved for grant assistance of over €69 million. The grant awards, which are part of a strategy to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the industry, will contribute to total investment in the region of...

Written Answers — Harbour and Piers: Harbour and Piers (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme provides funding for infrastructural developments at the six state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres and also provides co-funding towards works at fishery harbours owned by coastal Local Authorities. In excess of €19 million was spent on the Programme in 2008 and in 2009 expenditure is expected to be in the region of €15...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (24 Nov 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 Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The legislation provides for the transfer of all property rights and liabilities held by my Department to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government following the commencement of the Bill. The functions transferring concern the processing of certain foreshore consent applications and associated coastal management functions. There are no significant property rights or...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Industry: Aquaculture Industry (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information sought is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy. My Department is currently examining its files and I will be glad to contact the Deputy directly regarding the matter.

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2009 one site investigation licence has been issued by my Department in respect of a proposed test site for renewable energy projects.

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: At present my Department has approximately 45 legal cases under consideration involving either Foreshore or Aquaculture licensing. Of these, 16 cases are currently before the Courts. The remainder are at various stages of legal preparation. Pending the judicial outcome in each case it is not possible to quantify the financial implications.

Written Answers — Dumping at Sea: Dumping at Sea (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has no record of prosecutions taken in respect of the Dumping at Sea Acts.

Written Answers — Dumping at Sea: Dumping at Sea (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Marine Institute comes under the aegis of my Department. The Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009 makes no change in relation to this.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department and its agencies working with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government has developed a comprehensive plan to deliver compliance with the EU Birds and Habitat Directives for wild fisheries and aquaculture over a three year timeframe. A meeting between the Department, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, relevant Agencies and DG...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 sets down timeframes within which the Minister shall endeavour to determine an application for an aquaculture licence. However, in the absence of a commencement order, there is no statutory timeframe in force for the determination of applications for aquaculture licences under the Act. Every effort is made by my Department to expedite the...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: A total of 23 staff are scheduled to transfer from my Department to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to facilitate the transfer of functions under the Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill 2009. This number is comprised of 18 administrative staff currently based in my Department's offices in Johnstown Castle, Wexford. Five engineering staff members are...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (24 Nov 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 — Farmers' Markets: Farmers' Markets (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The position with regard to the future operation of the Farmers Market at Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is currently being reviewed by my Department. If a decision is made to issue a licence for the future operation of the Farmers Market, a tender process will be put in place at the earliest opportunity.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is the policy of my Department that most documents which require to be translated into Irish are published electronically rather than in hard copy. The following is the information relating to the cost involved in the translation into Irish and the printing of those documents: Year 2008 2009 Translation â'¬37,838 â'¬16,454 Printing â'¬11,899 â'¬2,065 These figures do not...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Nov 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 the application from the person named, has commenced to facilitate the release of payments at the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2009. This application was the subject of a ground eligibility, animal identification and registration inspection, which is now completed. The application has accordingly processed to completion and payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank...