Results 2,841-2,860 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008. The person named received the year 1 payments in July and November 2009 and the year 2 payments in December 2009 and March 2010. The first instalment of 75% of the year 3 payment was made in February 2011. Payment of the balance of 25% cannot be made until outstanding checks are finalised and compliance with the scheme conditions has been...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named was the subject of a Nitrates inspection by my Department acting on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Health and Local Government on the 19th of April 2010. This inspection uncovered discrepancies that were deemed to be intentional and a penalty of 15% was recorded against the 2010 Direct Payments for the person named. The person named was informed of this...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body. The Board of Bord na gCon is responsible for leading and directing the activities of the Company. My Department is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China and has recently made a submission to my Department in this regard. My Department will consider the Bord na gCon proposal and form a view based on the case...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The grant applications received during the course of the first tranche provided for under the Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme are currently being processed within my Department. This work will be completed as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: On Wednesday 6th April, I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) for 2011 and confirmed that the scheme will be open for applications until 16th May. I have made funding of €25 million per annum available for this scheme with a maximum payment to any farmer of €4,000 per annum. All contracts will run for at least five years which will extend their duration...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received the year 1 payment in July 2009 and the year 2 payment in January 2010. The year 3 payment has now been processed and payment will issue within two weeks. The person named submitted an application for consideration under the Grassland Sheep Scheme; the case is now fully processed with payment due to issue to the person named in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: While the herd-number is held jointly by the person named and his brother, the Single Payment Scheme application received on 14 May 2010 was signed by the person named only. Following a request for clarification, the person named indicated that his brother was deceased. Payment under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme cannot be released until such time as grant of Probate or Letters of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payment will issue to the person named at the earliest possible date once these checks have been completed.

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (21 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The pig industry is a valuable component of the overall agri-food sector, and has a farm gate value in excess of €300 million. The sector supports approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services and these are dispersed around the country. Production, prices and exports grew significantly during 2010 and the impact of this growth was felt...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (21 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application for force majeure is considered on the specific merits of an individual case taking account of the conditions under which force majeure may be granted. Such criteria are set out in the REPS terms and conditions. In order to allow a case under force majeure, proof of exceptional and unforeseen circumstances which are beyond the control of the participant and which prevent the...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (21 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: I met with Maria Damanaki European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in Luxembourg on Thursday 14 April. I invited the Commissioner to visit Ireland to meet the fishing industry and hear at first hand their concerns and their views on the reform. I will issue a formal invitation to the Commissioner in the coming days. The Commissioner indicated her willingness to accept this...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (21 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: Proposals for the introduction of mandatory privatisation of fish quotas, or Individual Transferable Quota's (ITQs), as part of a reformed Common Fisheries Policy pose, I strongly believe, a substantial threat to the future of Ireland's fisheries and broader seafood sector. In the context of determining Ireland's position, the Irish fishing industry has made clear and has re-affirmed to me...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Apr 2011)

Simon Coveney: The appeal submitted by the person named relates to two commonage parcels declared by the applicant in the Single Payment Scheme application. Arising from the appeal, my Department arranged to carry out a ground inspection of the parcels in order to verify the area excluded. My Department is currently finalising the outcome of the inspection, which is complex due to the nature of commonage...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body responsible for the greyhound industry. The Board of Bord na gCon is responsible for leading and directing the activities of the Company. My Department is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China and has been in contact with my Department is in this regard. My Department is considering the Bord na gCon proposal and...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Sneem Fishermen's Co-op applied in 2009 to BIM for grant aid for the purchase of a fishing vessel under the Aquaculture Development Measure of the Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme of the NDP 2000-2006. The application was judged to involve funding of aquaculture activity located in a site designated for protection under the EU Habitats Directive (so called Natura 2000...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no plans to consider applications received after that date or to reopen the scheme at this time. An allocation of almost €1 million is provided in 2011 to meet the remaining commitments under both the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Two applications for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme were received in the name of the person named, who is now deceased. Two instalments of grant-aid in respect of the first application have been paid by my Department. However, no further payments can be made in respect of that application until the further documentation which was requested by the Inheritance Enquiry Unit in...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Bord na gCon is a commercial State Body responsible for the greyhound industry. The Board of Bord na gCon is responsible for leading and directing the activities of the Company. My Department is aware that Bord na gCon is exploring possible business opportunities in China and has been in contact with my Department is in this regard. My Department is considering the Bord na gCon proposal and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, Government introduced new arrangements in staffing support for Ministers and Ministers of State in line with the Programme for Government aim to introduce political reform. This has delivered a reduction of 25% in the permitted staffing of Minister's offices and 33% for Ministers of State. I have detailed below the number of permanent Civil Service and non-established...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (3 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Government has agreed that new arrangements will be put in place for the making of appointments to the boards of State bodies and agencies. As part of those new arrangements, I will shortly be inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being considered for appointment to fill vacant positions on the boards of the agencies and bodies operating under the aegis of my...