Results 13,961-13,980 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Up to 2007 payments in respect of designated Natura sites were not separately identified but formed part of the overall REPS 3 Scheme in operation at that time. Under the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013 payments for designated Natura sites may be made to a beneficiary approved to participate in the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS 4) which was introduced in 2007. A person...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: All licensed fur farms must comply with Council Directive 98/58/EC concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes. This legislation requires that owners take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare of animals under their care and that all animals are cared for by staff who possess appropriate ability, knowledge and professional competence with regard to animal husbandry....

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full cross-compliance inspection. The inspection is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the 70% advance payment...

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

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2009. The Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme require, inter alia, that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared, for at least three consecutive months, during the calendar year of application. However, where...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 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 — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 April 2009. The Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme require, inter alia, that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared, for at least three consecutive months, during the calendar year of application. However, where...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 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 (10 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 — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The holding of the person concerned has been restricted under the TB Eradication Scheme since 28 September 2006. To date 113 animals have been removed as reactors. Payments under the On Farm Market Valuation and Income Supplement Schemes are being withheld pending further investigation by my Department. It is not possible at this stage to state when this investigation will be completed.

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be set for 31 December 2009, 6 years after the original decision was taken. My...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department manages a large property portfolio in the six Fishery Harbour Centres. All funds generated by leasing of property are allocated directly to the Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) Fund. The FHC Fund was established under the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 and is used for the operation and development of the harbours. There is an obligation therefore on me to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 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 — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 1 May 2009 there were 151 officials at Principal Officer level or higher working in my Department. Two of these officials are 60% and 40% work sharers.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Brandon is the property of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. Kerry County Council did not submit any application for funding in respect of the pier at Brandon under the 2009 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Any application by Kerry County Council for funding...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The pier at Scraggane is the property of Kerry County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. Kerry County Council did not submit any application for funding in respect of Scraggane Pier under the 2009 Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Any application by Kerry County Council for funding under...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (10 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.

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Bodies: Animal Welfare Bodies (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application for ex-gratia funding has been received from the organisation in question. Provision of ex-gratia assistance this year is subject to the availability of funds and the application will be considered in this context and having regard to competing claims for financial assistance submitted by other animal welfare bodies.

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

Brendan Smith: My Department has paid the person named in full for his previous participation in REPS 1 and REPS 2. His current application for participation in REPS 4 is being processed, but under EU rules no payment can made on any application until all applications have undergone a detailed administrative check, including a plan check. Processing of all applications to facilitate the release of payments...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (10 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: At the Agriculture Council on 19th October Commissioner Fischer Boel announced that she would propose to make available an additional €280 million from the 2010 budget to help the dairy sector, as an exceptional measure. This would be possible under the new Article 186 powers which are expected to be agreed at the Agriculture Council on 19th November. The proposed additional funding of...

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

Brendan Smith: I understand that, and as confirmed by the applicant's forestry company, the relevant provenance certification has not in fact been lodged in my Department. The forestry company concerned expects to be in a position to submit the documentation within a week and provided the documentation is in order payment will be made within a further two weeks.