Results 3,661-3,680 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department concluded that this application was ineligible. That decision is currently under appeal and my officials will contact the person named directly.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: Subject to remaining within the level of resources available to Teagasc the delivery of a REPS service is an operational matter for Teagasc itself. The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Public Service announced by the Minister for Finance on 27 March 2009 prevents Teagasc from renewing temporary fixed term contracts including those for temporary REPS planners. I understand that...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: A total of 1,855 staff in my Department are in receipt of long service increments at a cost of approximately €5.58million in the current year.

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The two food recycling companies in Ireland which recycle unused food as animal feed continue to be registered by my Department as Feed Business Operators under EU Regulation 183/2005 on Feed Hygiene. As part of ongoing risk assessment, my Department has already taken additional measures to enhance the inspections regime of feed manufacturing, grain drying, and food recycling premises with a...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: EU marketing standards apply to the sale of poultrymeat in this country. These do not require an indication as to the slaughter dates. The same position pertains to other meats. The current marketing requirements impose various labelling requirements regarding the meat concerned and its use. An extension of these requirements to cover slaughter dates would involve a proposed amendment to EU...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has overall responsibility for the co-ordination and enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with my Department and other agencies. With regard to on-farm production, including farm inputs, my Department has responsibility for ensuring that only animal and plant material that fulfil...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 220 together. My Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme ceased with effect from Tuesday 14th April 2009. This was as a result of budgetary constraints and also reflects the greatly reduced incidence of BSE in this country. The State will continue to provide financial support for the collection of certain dead animals, notably bovines...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue to this applicant shortly.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The previous question requested the number of issues logged by planners on the eREPS system and, as I indicated in my reply, that information is not readily available. My officials are in ongoing contact with Teagasc and the Agricultural Consultants' Association (ACA) which represents the majority of private planners, about the interpretation of issues relating to REPS including the use of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The maximum grant available under the Farm Waste Management Scheme is calculated in accordance with my Department's Standard Costs applicable on the date of approval to commence the investment works concerned. If the eligible invoices, net of VAT, together with costs of own contributions in terms of labour and machinery, are less than the Standard Costs, then the grant is calculated on the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The application for REPS 3 payment in this case was received in my Department on 5th March 2009 and is being processed in accordance with the timeframes agreed with the farming organisations.

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 219, inclusive, together. The quantities of meat and bonemeal (MBM) produced over the past 4 years and the percentage distribution between export and other outlets are set out in the following table. This MBM was produced using a range of materials, notably waste from the meat industry and material from fallen animals. No separate figures are available...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (29 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 224, inclusive, together. My Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme ceased with effect from Tuesday 14th April 2009. This was as a result of budgetary constraints and also reflects the greatly reduced incidence of BSE in this country. The State will continue to provide financial support for the collection of certain dead animals,...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: Greencastle harbour is under the control of Donegal County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the local authority in the first instance. The development at Greencastle has however, received funding under my Department's Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in recent years. Up to the end of 2008, my Department has spent...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Following the April 7 Budget forestry premiums are being reduced by 8%. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment is made. It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Following the April 7 Budget forestry premiums are being reduced by 8%. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment is made. It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Following the April 7 budget, forestry premiums are being reduced by 8%. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment is made. It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue to this applicant shortly.