Results 3,861-3,880 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: A proportion of REPS 4 applications were found be deficient and were subject to a reduction in their first-year payments in the range of 1% to 5%. The recording of these penalties required additional computer programming which took some time; therefore not all have yet been recorded and the exact number and monetary amount involved cannot be provided at this stage.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and funding for 5,500 hectares of new planting in 2009 has been preserved. I am confident that this level of planting...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 103 and 110 together. 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...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the supplementary budget on 7 April, an 8% reduction was applied to forestry premiums. This reduction applies to all premiums for 2009 onwards; it does not apply to any premiums in respect of the years prior to 2009. The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment was made...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: Given the pressures on the public finances and the level of up-take of REPS 4, I decided that it was necessary to reverse the 17% increase in REPS 4 payments and this reduction applies to REPS 4 payments in respect of 2009. The closing date for REPS applications for 2009 has now passed. When the number of applications has been determined, I will be in a position to assess what level of...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: A contingency plan for the control of bluetongue disease has been drawn up, as required under EU legislation. Operational details in the plan include the drawing of control, protection and surveillance zones around the infected holding, with associated movement restrictions within and between these zones, the confining of animals indoors, the control and eradication of the vector by use of...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 1 January 2009, 17,397 payment claims remained to be processed to payment stage under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. To date in 2009, 9,386 payments totalling almost €130 million have been made to farmers under the Scheme. Processing of the remaining claims continues and payment of the first instalment of 40 per cent will be made by my Department in respect of these claims as soon...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I sought legal advice from the Legal Services Division in my Department prior to making adjustments to the current forestry premium rates. The forestry premiums under the afforestation scheme were reduced following receipt of this advice.

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 90 and 112 together. As part of the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP which was adopted earlier this year, Member States may utilise unspent Single Farm Payment (CAP) funds to provide support to farmers for: specific economic disadvantages affecting the dairy, beef and veal, sheep and goat and rice sectors, types of farming which protect or...

Written Answers — Forest Recreational Facilities: Forest Recreational Facilities (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: As previously advised to the House, following approaches from a number of potential aerial trail operators interested in operating such facilities on Coillte lands, the company examined the issue of locating aerial trail adventure systems in a small number of appropriate locations across the country, which is part of the company's strategy to improve the recreational facilities in the forest...

Written Answers — Sheep Industry: Sheep Industry (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 109 together. The recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office indicate the difficulties faced by the sheep industry. The decline in the Irish sheep sector is not an isolated phenomenon. Similar declines are evident in most of the sheep-producing countries of Europe. The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group recognised the problems facing...

Written Answers — Suckler Cow Quota: Suckler Cow Quota (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulation relating to rural development programmes, which sets out the framework for schemes such as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, requires that commitments must be for a period of 5 to 7 years. While the Suckler Welfare Scheme is fully funded by the Exchequer, approval to proceed was required under the EU State Aids regime. The objectives of the Scheme are to improve animal welfare...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (20 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...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: With regard to the case in question my officials have been in contact with the Local Authority Veterinary Service in the area and have offered to provide, if requested, any advice within my Department's area of competence. Canine brucellosis is not a notifiable disease and it does not pose a threat to the bovine herd. The disease, if confirmed, in dogs at the establishment in question would...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: A first policy debate on the future of CAP after 2013 took place at the Informal Agriculture Council in September last year. While a large majority of Member States favoured maintaining a strong EU agriculture policy, there were marked differences in emphasis from different Member States. The French Presidency took discussions forward and the Czech Presidency has continued the debate in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 93, 94, 102, 115, 117 and 126 together. Dairy farmers incomes are made up of the market price paid for milk and direct income support from the EU. Market forces of supply and demand have a major influence on the price paid for milk. World market prices determine the returns received by dairy processors and this is reflected in the price paid to farmers....

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 89 and 233 together. Since it was first introduced in 1994, the REP scheme has been highly effective in encouraging farmers in their role as custodians of our environment. It has delivered benefits in terms of water quality, biodiversity and the protection of the rural landscape. Agri-environment measures such as REPS are important for the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: I have been in contact with the Minister for Finance and officials from the Department of Finance in relation to this matter. I have also facilitated contacts on this subject between farming representatives and the Department of Finance.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 May 2009)

Brendan Smith: The 2009 total gross Estimate for my Department, broken down by subhead and measure, together with the percentage change under each heading compared with the outturn in 2008, was published by the Department of Finance on 23 April 2009 in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2009. It shows a gross provision of €1.985 billion for 2009 which is 6% lower than the comparable 2008 outturn of...