Results 4,001-4,020 of 18,457 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 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...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Although the Deputy refers to "forestry grants" I presume that he is referring to the recent decision to reduce the annual forestry premium by 8%. The Supplementary Budget in April reduced the funding available for the Forestry Programme in 2009 and it was necessary for my Department to ensure that this allocation is spent as effectively and efficiently as possible. I decided to maintain the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application was received on the 15 May 2008 requesting the transfer of 12.42 Single Payment Scheme entitlements to the person named from his late father. As the person named was not the legal owner of a herd-number, he was advised to contact his District Veterinary Office to request the transfer of the herd-number from his late father to himself. As the requested transfer of entitlements...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of human resources, are the responsibility of the company.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: EU legislation governing intra community trade in cattle prescribes the conditions for trade and these rules also apply to the importation of water buffaloes from the UK. All cattle imported into Ireland from the UK must be accompanied by an official health certificate from DEFRA as the competent authority of the exporting country confirming that the animals have undergone all appropriate...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has 13 animals for consideration under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. To date, nine have qualified for payment, and payments totalling €720 have issued. The remaining four have not been paid. Under the rules of the scheme, a gradual weaning procedure must be followed and from the records provided, it appears that it was not followed in this case. An officer from my...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: This person's case has been reviewed and payment will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is responsible for the operation of EU harmonized controls on imports of products of animal origin for human consumption. These are applied under its service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and in compliance with the Community's rules for the hygiene of food and feed. The FSAI, under service contracts with its official agencies, including this...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (9 Jun 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 REPS planners are employed on temporary fixed term contracts by Teagasc. The recently announced moratorium on Public Service recruitment prevents Teagasc from renewing such contracts. I understand that Teagasc propose to tender for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Installation Aid Scheme. My Department is still waiting on the information requested from the person concerned and his application cannot be processed further until this information is received.

Written Answers — Meat Processing Sector: Meat Processing Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: In 2008 my Department awarded particular financial support to the small meat sector, which includes small slaughterhouses and low throughput meat establishments. Following a call for applications in December 2007, and a detailed selection and evaluation process in 2008, my Department awarded a total of €7.8m in grant assistance to 31 enterprises. This funding will assist food business...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials wrote to the person named on 4th June 2009 and the file cannot be progressed until the issues raised in this letter are addressed.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 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 (9 Jun 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 (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue within the next 10 days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next 10 days.

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named above is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. An inspection will be carried out in this case as soon as possible. However, the grant cannot be paid until all documentation has been received by my Department.

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following my announcement on 14th April that one quarter of the one per cent milk quota increase under the Health Check would be set aside for a scheme to attract new entrants into dairying, officials in my Department have been in consultation with the farming organisations and with ICOS on the most efficient and equitable means of achieving this. Work is nearing completion on the...

Written Answers — Commonage Division: Commonage Division (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Commonage land in this Country is for the most part privately owned by a number of owners in common. As this is a private law matter my Department does not have regulations or guidelines in relation to privately owned commonage land if or were it to be used for community purposes.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department engages part-time Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs), as and when required, to assist the Department's official veterinarians in the performance of ante mortem and post mortem tasks at approved meat processing plants. Other than these professional veterinarians, my Department has not sanctioned the engagement of persons from outside the Department to carry out meat...