Results 4,181-4,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Participants were accepted into the AEOS 2 scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and I expect that payments in respect of year 1 will commence in the first...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: In the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, REPS and AEOS schemes my Department is required to carry out inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility, compliance with EU regulations under headings such as environment, food safety, animal welfare and plant health. A minimum of 5% of Single Payment Scheme applicants are required to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) over the period January – October 2011 have amounted to €0.46 million.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: When AEOS was launched last year, the intention had been to increase the rate for designated land from the €75 per hectare which was originally announced to €150 per hectare and my Department had been in discussion with the Commission with a view to obtaining approval for this proposal. However, given the current financial constraints and the overall funding limits which have been...

Written Answers — Commonage Division: Commonage Division (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department is working in close co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which has responsibility for the commonage framework plans, on a review of the existing plans. I understand that a review of the situation in 4 counties will be completed by the end of 2011 (Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Donegal). I understand that the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Payments under the Farm Improvement Scheme over the period January – October 2011 have amounted to €2.6 million.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The position regarding payments made to date under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, by land category, is as outlined in the tabular statement. Category Numbers Paid* Value of payments Mountain 26,974 €60,682,727 More Severely handicapped 51,234 €100,911,814 Less Severely handicapped 19,137 €33,486,466 Total 88,603 €195,081,008 * Applicants can have land in one or more...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no plans to reopen the Scheme at this time. An allocation of almost €1 million has been provided in this year's Estimates to meet the remaining commitments under both the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: While NUTS 1 equates to the National position, payment statistics are more readily available on a national/county basis, rather than a NUTS basis. The tabular statement shows the present payments position, on a county basis. County Applicants Number Paid Value € Carlow 1,705 1,426 10,935,789.60 Cavan 5,109 4,095 15,764,702.60 Clare 6,379 5,669 23,155,370.10 Cork 13,517 10,596...

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The European Commission has advised this year that food projects being funded under Axis 3 of the rural development programme [RDP] are appropriate to Axis 1 and must be funded under that part of the programme. These projects are being funded through LEADER which falls within the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Department of Agriculture, Food...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) were suspended for new applications on 8 June 2011 pending the outcome of the comprehensive review of expenditure by my Department. I am conscious of the pressures on pig producers and a decision on the re-opening of TAMS will be taken in the context of the outcome of the review and the preparations and finalisation of the 2012 Estimates...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: There are no delays in payments to farmers under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, payments having commenced, on target, on 22 September, with payments issuing to those farmers whose applications had been confirmed eligible for payment at that time. I can confirm that my Department has, in the interim, continued to pay individuals, as their cases became clear, with payment runs taking place...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 442 together. There are no delays in payments to farmers under the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the 50% advance payments having commenced issuing, on schedule, on 17 October. While the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December, earlier this year I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: As part of the adoption of the Commission's proposals on the CAP Health Check, the rate of modulation deduction was increased from 5% over a 4-year period commencing in 2009. The rate of the modulation deduction, which applies to all amounts paid under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) in excess of €5,000, was increased as follows; Year Rate of Modulation Deduction 2009...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have examined the Impact Analysis prepared by the EU Commission of various alternative options for greening that were considered by the Commission prior to publication of the legal proposals. This analysis estimates the cost of greening for Ireland at between €23 and €25 per hectare, assuming an ecological set aside ranging between 5 and 10%. However, the options analysed do not match...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have advised farmers on a number of occasions that they should not rush into investment or long-term leasing decisions on the basis of the current proposals for a reference year of 2014. The provisions surrounding establishment of entitlements are very complex and will require detailed clarification. A great deal of negotiation also remains to be done in respect of this issue. I will...

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: Processing of applications under the 2011 Grassland Sheep Scheme is currently in train, with a payment target date of 8 December 2011. As processing is still ongoing, the statistics sought by the Deputy are not yet available.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011, processing of which has recently been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11th of May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance inspection. During the course of the inspection an issue was raised concerning the requirement to maintain lands in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition, specifically in relation to the prevention...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Nov 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11th May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed. In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the...