Results 4,241-4,260 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: As indicated in a previous reply, an application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2008. The details of the over-claims in respect of the areas declared are as follows. This application was selected for a satellite eligibility inspection which required a follow-up field visit. During this visit, discrepancies were found in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named received his 75% payment in March 2009. I expect the remaining 25% payment to issue within weeks to those farmers who have already received their first payment of 75% in respect of REPS 4 applications lodged in 2007 and 2008.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: From January 2009 to the end of May 2009 my Department made forestry premium payments totalling almost €62.5 million. Of this figure, approximately €900,000 was for first premiums in respect of new planting and €61.5 million was for subsequent premiums in respect of previous planting. Premium payments since the Supplementary Budget reflect the 8% reduction. As for future premium...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: 223 people have applied to transfer to Portlaoise with this Department under the Decentralisation Programme. This is broken down as follows. Location Number of staff who have applied to transfer via the Central Applications Facility (CAF) Staff assigned to this Department via the Decentralisation programme currently awaiting transfer to Portlaoise. Total Portlaoise 142 81 223 The...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters are the responsibility of the company. I understand, however, from Coillte that it has approximately 7,000 acres of land, which are the subject of long-term leases (150 years). In the absence of specific details, and following a review by Coillte of some of those...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is engaged in a project to install CCTV systems in a number of ports around the country under that body's statutory obligation to deter and detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law. The Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 clearly provides that the SFPA is independent in the exercise of its functions and as such I...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned was an applicant under the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and received grant-aid under the Scheme from my Department in February 2008. However, the person concerned was considered to be ineligible for the additional aid for qualified young farmers and this decision was upheld by the Agriculture Appeals Office on 21 November 2007.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jul 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 (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under EU Regulations, payment on individual Organic Farming Scheme applications could not be made until completion of administrative and area checks on all applications. At that stage 75% of the payment to each individual participant could be released, with the balance being payable when the last of the on-farm inspections for the year has taken place. The processing of applications is under...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. His application for payment, following the receipt of some additional information, is currently being examined and a decision will be made in regard to the application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department received an application under the Early Retirement Scheme from the person named on 17th October 2008. It could not be accepted for processing as it was received after the Scheme had been suspended for new applications. I am conscious that some potential applicants were at an advanced stage of preparing an application when entry to the scheme was suspended and had made, or were...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: There are differences between the areas claimed by the person named under REPS and in his application under the Single Payment Scheme. This issue has to be resolved before his REPS application can be further processed. My officials have been in contact with him about the matter.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is not readily available but will be collated and referred directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy within the short timeframe available. My Department will write to the Deputy within the next two weeks detailing the information requested.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned applied for grant-aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The decision not to grant approval in this case has been appealed to the Agriculture Appeals Office which has upheld my Department's decision in the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The 2007 Single Payment Scheme application form for the person named was received in my Department on 19 November 2007. The closing date for the receipt of applications under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme was 15 May 2007, as provided for in the governing EU Regulation. This deadline was widely advertised by my Department in the local and national media. The applicant was notified in a...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Early Retirement Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October, 2008. No application for the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming was received from the person named. I am, however, conscious that some potential applicants were at an advanced stage of preparing an application when entry to the scheme was suspended and had made, or were making arrangements to meet the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment issued to the person named on 25 June 2009.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Single Payment entitlements for the person named were subject to a re-calculation due to consolidation of the entitlements. This process is now complete and, therefore, payment in respect of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme will issue to the applicant shortly.