Results 3,681-3,700 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following are the reports I have received since January 2008 from bodies which come under the aegis of my Department and which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Report Teagasc Annual Report and Accounts for 2007 National Milk Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2007 Veterinary Council of Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2007 Irish National Stud Company Ltd Annual...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following are the details sought by the Deputy of reports in relation to this Department or the bodies under its aegis undertaken in the past five years. Internal Reports undertaken in respect of the Department Name of Report Purpose of Report Cost Laid before the Houses Beef Classification Scheme Expenditure Review To assess the extent to which the scheme expenditure comprised value...

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

Brendan Smith: The technical breaches referred to were minor in nature and in some cases were the result of automatic rounding of values within the eREPS system. My Department is reviewing the small number of cases in question and has put in place a system to ensure that the automatic rounding of values in the system does not in itself result in a reduction in payment.

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

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue within the next 15 days.

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

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to supply figures for the Kerry South constituency, but in County Kerry as a whole there are 2,752 participants in REPS 3 who are eligible for payment in 2009. There are also 831 applications for REPS 4 which are currently being processed for payment. The average REPS 4 payment for 2008 is €4,400 and the average annual payment for REPS 3 is €6,200.

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, the implementation date was deferred until January 2008 and subsequently set in EU legislation for 31 December 2009. I have consistently opposed the mandatory introduction of EID and have made my position on this very clear in Brussels. I will continue to seek the introduction of...

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

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to provide the Deputy with the number of farmers in Kerry South constituency who will receive a forestry payment. However, the number of applicants in County Kerry who will receive forestry premium payments in the annual payment run is 1,514. The average premium payment per head is approximately €3,497.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: Ireland's Direct Sales Quota for 2008/2009 was 2,146,481 kgs, which equates to 0.04% of Ireland's total national quota. For the EU as a whole, 2.28% of total quota is allocated to direct sales. All Member states with the exception of one (Romania) have a quota allocation that is greater in Deliveries than Direct Sales. Malta has no quota allocated to Direct Sales. In order to sell milk...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for REPS 4 are derived from Commission Regulations that reflect the Commission's objective of integrating and harmonising the operation of the various farm payment schemes — including the Single Payment Scheme, REPS and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. For REPS 4, this means that applications to join the Scheme must be submitted by 15 May each year. Any application to join...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The draft Seafood Development Operational Programme was advertised for public consultation in October 2008. Issues were raised by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of CFB (Central Fisheries Board) regarding the grant-aiding of projects where environmental issues arise relating to...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department does not have an application for an aquaculture licence from the person referred to by the Deputy. The site in question is currently licensed to another person for 10 years with effect from 9th May 2005. This person applied for an aquaculture licence in respect of a further area adjacent to his existing licensed site. In October 2006 my Department advised the applicant that...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The financial arrangements in respect of any loans taken out by farmers for the purposes of carrying out investments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme are entirely a matter between the individual farmers and financial institutions concerned.

Written Answers — Fishing Vessel Licences: Fishing Vessel Licences (30 Apr 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Fisheries Council acting on a proposal from the EU Commission decides which fish stocks are subject to a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quota regime. The allocation of quotas (per-cent shares) between Member States is based to a large extent on recent track record of fishing by Member States fishing fleets. The stocks in western waters specified by the Deputy are not at this time...

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

Brendan Smith: Following the April 7 Budget issues relating to the implementation of the announced reduction in forestry premiums had to be addressed before payment is made. It is intended that the annual forestry premium payment will issue to this applicant shortly.

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.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned had 125 animals removed as reactors under the Brucellosis Depopulation scheme on 22 September 2000. There are two rates of Depopulation grant available under the scheme: the Standard Rate and the Standard Rate Plus. In order to qualify for the Standard Rate Plus category of compensation, it is necessary for a herdowner to have voluntarily post-movement blood tested...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The process to pay the annual forestry premium is already underway and the payment will issue to this applicant very shortly. The amount that will be paid to the applicant is €19,636.52.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (6 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the Early Retirement Scheme were suspended for new applications on 14 October, 2008 due to budgetary constraints. I indicated at the time that I would monitor all schemes and services throughout 2009 and would review the position thoroughly in the context of the preparations of the 2010 Estimates for my Department.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (6 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for REPS 4 are derived from Commission Regulations that reflect the Commission's objective of integrating and harmonising the operation of the various farm payment schemes including the Single Payment Scheme, REPS and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. For REPS 4, this means that applications to join the Scheme must be submitted by 15 May each year. Any application to join...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (6 May 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...