Results 3,741-3,760 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under category D, which caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. Our records indicate that the person named did not apply under category B, which...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: This situation pertains to the implementation of the wild birds directive and, as such, is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Owenduff and Nephin Beg complex, which includes the area in question, have been designated by that Department under both the wild birds and habitats directives. The European Commission secured a...
- Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In December, the Minister made regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive. These regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I presume the Deputy is referring to the installation aid scheme, which provides a grant to farmers under the age of 35 establishing themselves for the first time in farming. By virtue of the terms of the scheme, the initial application, IAS 1, must be submitted to the Department within six months of the date of establishment. The application for payment, IAS 2, must then be submitted within...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following processing of his application, he was notified that the application was successful and payment will issue shortly.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: In 2005 a total of â¬1,658.95 was paid by my Department to Laois County Council in respect of water rates for my Department's office at Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person in question submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 16 May 2005 in respect of the herd number supplied. Payment amounting to â¬19,979.66 in respect of 44.01 entitlements issued on 1 December 2005. An application to transfer 14.11 entitlements, with a net value of â¬5981.38, to the person named from his spouse has been processed. This brought the total...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person in question submitted a private contract clause application to have land and entitlements transferred to him by way of a lease agreement. This application was successfully processed and a payment of â¬999.07 issued on the 1 December 2005. Arrangements are being made to have the dairy premium element of the single payment issued to the person shortly.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person in question submitted a private contract clause application to have land and entitlements transferred to him by way of a lease agreement. This application was successfully processed and a payment of â¬7,878.66 issued to the person on 1 December 2005. Arrangements are being made to have the dairy premium element of the single payment issued shortly.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: The person in question submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 13 May 2005 and also applied to have his entitlements consolidated under the scheme. The person established 120.64 entitlements with a net value of â¬40,647.82 and declared a forage area of 91.30 hectares in 2005. Payment issued on 1 December 2005 in respect of 91.30 entitlements with a net value of...
- Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (28 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Following the introduction of the single payment scheme last year, farmers now have the freedom to choose whatever farming enterprise is most appropriate to their circumstances. Under the agreement on reform of the EU sugar regime, the single payment scheme is being extended to cover sugar beet. The sugar reform agreement also provides for the introduction of aid for diversification measures...
- Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: Some 17,500 farmers submitted applications to the national reserve but when account is taken of the number of farmers who applied under two or more categories over 23,000 files have to be processed. While much work has been done in processing the vast majority of the applications, none of the applications has yet been processed to finality with national reserve allocations attributed. Some...
- Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I wish to again advise the House that in November or December of last year I indicated my priority was the single farm payment and this was the basis for delaying work on the national reserve. My view at that time, which was correct, was that the single farm payment should be dealt with as quickly as possible. With regard to the national reserve, the decision will be available within the next...
- Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I am preparing for a possible onslaught following the letters being posted out. Unsuccessful applicants will naturally feel aggrieved but an appeals process will be available to them. I will ensure the resources will be in place so people can have a discussion about their application. I assume the successful applicants will be happy enough and will be able to proceed.
- Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I know the Deputy will also be doing that. I appreciate that disappointed applicants will have concerns. Much work has been done on the basis of the mandatory criteria set down and in particular with regard to the special criteria set down by the Department. I do not agree the transfer from Davitt House to Port Laoise has undermined the work. The Department has been meticulous in its...
- Grant Payments. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I will make that announcement within the fortnight.
- Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I recently announced my intention to move to a more open market system for transferring milk quotas, which will come into effect on 1 April 2007. I made this decision because the current restructuring model will not meet the future needs of the industry and a more effective response is required to meet future competitive pressures. This is crucial given the growing competition faced by the...
- Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I totally refute the Deputy's little petty political snipe. It would be much more overcoming and overbearing if I had not done something about the dairy industry. That industry has decreased its capacity during the past nine years by 11,000 farmers. If we are to have a sustainable dairy sector, we need to do something about it. Two years ago I made an announcement in consultation with all the...
- Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: I have not. I am talking about the reality and dealing with it needs action and that will be provided in consultation with the stakeholders. We are seriously concerned about outcomes for small farmers and for young farmers. That is the reason this open market system is operated within the co-ops and that ring fencing is not being removed. It would be easy to go into an open market and allow a...
- Milk Quota. (29 Mar 2006)
Mary Coughlan: As the Deputy is aware, in 2008 we will be reviewing the quota scene. Considering what has happened in the European Community recently, our preparation must happen now to sustain our activity in the dairy sector. Coming from Donegal, I agree that the issue of ring-fencing is a policy initiative that is close to our hearts and I will continue to ensure that will remain so. Like Deputy...