Results 16,681-16,700 of 18,645 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: Following the decentralisation announcement in Budget 2009, the moves to Fermoy, Macroom and Enniscorthy have been deferred pending a review in 2011. Since the original decentralisation announcement, my Department made no specific provision for expenditure nor has there been any specific expenditure recorded by the Department in relation to these proposed moves. The Office of Public Works...
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together. In total there has been an increase of 297 full-time posts in Portlaoise and 84 in Clonakilty since the decentralisation programme was announced. The Department's move to Clonakilty is now substantially complete. Pending delivery of the permanent accommodation, the OPW has leased accommodation for the Department in Portlaoise on a...
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: The material requested is being collated and will be sent directly to the Deputy.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was introduced in June 2007 under the aegis of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. It replaced the Installation Aid Scheme, which was established under the aegis of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and was introduced in February 2001. Under the Installation Aid Scheme, 5,377 applications have been received and 4,147 payments made...
- Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: My Department has concerns regarding the works undertaken by Mayo County Council at Achill Sound and specifically that all the terms of the Foreshore consent issued may not have been complied with. My Department's Engineering Division has been in close contact with the Council regarding this matter and has specified certain measures regarding the works which remain to be completed. The...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: A Method Statement in relation to the removal of the temporary causeway has been provided by Mayo Co Council to my Department and has been approved by my Department's Engineering Division. My Department's engineers will carry out periodic inspections of the site while the causeway is being removed.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: Only fully completed applications made under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and received by my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 will be processed. It should be noted, however, that completion of an educational course is not sufficient, in itself, to qualify for a grant under the Scheme concerned.
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: The possibility of reintroducing the scheme concerned will be considered in the context of the preparation of the Annual Estimates next year and beyond, at which time any changes to the terms of the scheme can also be considered.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: The possibility of reintroducing the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme will be considered in the context of the preparation of the Annual Estimates next year and beyond. The completion of the green certificate, which is a very worthwhile qualification, is not sufficient in itself to qualify for a grant under the Scheme.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: The decision to suspend the Scheme to new applicants was due to budgetary constraints. In protecting expenditure in certain areas in the 2009 Estimates, expenditure in other areas had to be curtailed. I have made provision of over â¬9 million to meet current commitments for installation aid. This level of funding means that, for the present, new applications under the Young Farmers'...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: There are no vacancies at the Executive Officer grade in my Department's offices in either Tullamore or Athlone.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: Where a valid application has been submitted, advance payments of 75% under the EU regulations governing REPS 4 can issue only when all administrative checks on all 2008 applications for REPS 4 and the Single Payment Scheme are completed. This work is still ongoing with a view to beginning payment this month. The balancing 25% payment will follow when all 2008 REPS on-farm inspections have...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: An application under the 2008 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the persons named on 13 May 2008. 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. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified...
- Written Answers — Veterinary Inspection Service: Veterinary Inspection Service (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: I outlined the purpose and acceptance of AHCS 1 forms in my replies to the Deputy on 24 September 2008 (Ref No. 30581/08) and on 7 October 2008 (Ref No. 33381/08). A detailed breakdown of the very precise and detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and it would place excessive demands on scarce staff resources in the Department to compile this data. The AHCS 1...
- Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: This voluntary decommissioning scheme was introduced to deliver on a key recommendation of the Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Seafood Industry 2007 to 2013 â Steering a New Course (the Cawley Report). It represents a very substantial commitment from the Government in bringing the Irish fishing fleet into balance with available recourses and ensuring that those...
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: Only fully completed applications made under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and received by my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 will be processed.
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: Only fully completed applications made under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and received by my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 will be processed.
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: In the event of the death of a participant, force majeure is applied and the REPS contract is terminated where the contract was in the sole name of the deceased person. No reimbursement of aid already paid is sought. Where a contract is in joint or several names the surviving participants can see out the remaining period of the contract. Following the death of a sole participant in REPS,...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (4 Nov 2008)
Brendan Smith: I have made provision of â¬47 million in 2009 to meet current commitments under the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming but, for the present, it has been necessary to suspend new applications for the scheme. The limiting of the suspension of the Scheme will be considered at the earliest opportunity but with regard to the current budgetary constraints.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Nov 2008)
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.