Results 21,741-21,760 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Genomics Scheme (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: A total of 29,865 applicants were accepted into the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, of which 4,278 have now withdrawn. Approximately 1,488 herds have not, as yet, returned their genomic samples. There is also evidence of interest in joining the scheme from farmers who missed the application deadline. I am keeping the question of reopening the scheme under review having regard to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: The assessment and processing of GLAS Tranche 2 (GLAS 2) applications was undertaken by my Department in January 2016 and decision letters in respect of applications selected and not selected into the Scheme have issued to applicants. For those applications selected into the Scheme under GLAS 2 the commencement date of the contract is 1 January 2016. The unprecedented level of applications...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: To date some 21,000 GLAS Tranche 1 (GLAS 1) farmers have received a first instalment of their 2015 part year payment in respect payable actions for the period 1 October to 31 December and representing up to 85% of the total amount due for 2015 part year. The remainder of payments in respect of the 2015 part year including balancing payments and GLAS + payments for eligible applications are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application for Tranche 2 of the GLAS Scheme (GLAS 2) for the person named was received on the dedicated GLAS online system on the 8th December 2015. The unprecedented level of applications to the Scheme has meant that for GLAS 2, priority is being given to what are called Tier 1 and Tier 2 candidates, i.e. those who either manage key environmental assets such as endangered birds,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently holds one vacancy with a requirement for competency in the Irish language. The Public Appointments Service has identified a suitable candidate for this post and my Department is awaiting the final assignment papers.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: The State is undertaking a comprehensive programme of commemorations during 2016 which commenced on New Year’s Day in Dublin Castle. All elements of the Defence Forces will play a very central and important role in many of the historic commemorative events that will take place during 2016. The question of issuing a medal to commemorate the centenary is being considered in the context...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Parades (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: The final dress rehearsal for the 1916 commemorative parade was conducted in the Defence Forces training centre, the Curragh, on Tuesday 15 March. In preparation for this final dress rehearsal, the 1st Battalion Company conducted a number of periods of training in Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore and participated in Defence Forces- level training rehearsals in the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government recently published a White Paper on Defence which sets out the policy framework for the Defence organisation for the next ten years and beyond. Given the importance that Ireland places on collective security and multilateralism, the Government’s recent White Paper on Defence, published in August 2015, confirms our continued support to the UN and to international...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. Two further vessels were deployed, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett, and the deployment was completed on 29 November 2015, with L.É. Samuel Beckett arriving back in Ireland on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: On foot of receipt of the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, my Department reviewed the matter further and confirmed, by correspondence dated 1 February 2016, the basis upon which the moneys recouped to the Defence Forces were made. In addition, the military authorities advised that no assurances where given that the form of undertaking did not apply to Cadets or that the requirement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: Defence Forces Regulation C.S.3 sets out the criteria in relation to the undertaking and recoupment of moneys due by Defence Forces personnel in respect of training courses provided whereby the individual concerned subsequently seeks to be discharged from the Defence Forces. Regulation 39(2) of this regulation provides that the Minister may at his discretion vary the amount to be recouped.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: As of 29t February, 2016 (the latest date for which figures are available), the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 9,146 personnel (whole time equivalent). This comprised of 7,329 Army personnel, 744 Air Corps personnel and 1,073 Naval Service personnel. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: This matter is being progressed through the conciliation and arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have taken place with PDFORRA (the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association) with regard to the claim. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the scheme are confidential to that process, it would be inappropriate for me...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Operations (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: Following a Government decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish naval vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. Two further vessels were deployed, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett, and the deployment was completed on 29 November 2015, with L.É. Samuel Beckett arriving back in Ireland on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Data (22 Mar 2016)

Simon Coveney: There are no positions within the Department of Defence which require personnel to display competence in the Irish language. The Department has limited interaction with the general public and, consequently, has a low demand for services through the medium of the Irish language. As provided for in its current and previous Irish Language Schemes, the Department draws from a pool of personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (6 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 September 2010 and payment has issued for the 2010-2014 scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing this scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As all AEOS 1 participants will be receiving their final payments...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (6 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 26 May 2015. Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Eligibility (6 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 28 May 2015. Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (6 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced their AEOS 3 contract on 1 May 2013 and were paid in full for the 2013 scheme year. An issue subsequently arose in respect of the Conservation of Genetic Resources option which has prevented processing of the 2014 payment. Correspondence has issued on the matter. The current position is that a reply is awaited from the Agricultural Consultant of the person named...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (6 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application under the ‘new entrant’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. This application was not successful as the applicant was deemed to have exceeded the off farm income threshold of €40,000. The applicant was notified of this decision and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal. My Department has now received an appeal...