Results 4,281-4,300 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is my function as Minister to continue to plan to help the sector remain competitive so that it can capitalise on the inevitable global recovery and meet the challenges in the coming decade. Addressing the industry's capacity to compete successfully at home and overseas has assumed a new urgency and my belief is that a new development plan for the period to 2020 is required to maintain...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My officials are currently processing the application of the person named. It is expected that payment will issue within the next 15 days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am pleased to say that pre-payment inspections have been carried out in both these cases. My Department is currently processing the applications concerned and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under Category B of the 2007 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming who commenced farming after 31 December 2005. In addition applicants are required to fulfil certain criteria relating to on and off-farm income limits and educational qualifications. When the person named initially...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department is in discussions with the Company regarding recovery of the amount involved.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

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

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Employment in the agri-food sector accounted for 179,200 jobs, or 8.5% of employment in 2008, according to figures from the CSO's Quarterly National Household Survey. Of this total, 117,100 were employed in primary agriculture, 50,000 in food and beverage production, 7,800 in wood processing, 2,200 in forestry and 2,100 in fishing. The agri-food sector encompasses a wide range of company...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The cost of public advertising funded by my Department to the end of June 2009 was €176,031.11. Statutory expenditure: €28,736.60 paid to Brindley Advertising Ltd. €29,686.74 paid to AFA O'Meara Advertising Non-statutory expenditure: €117,607.76 paid to AFA O'Meara Advertising.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to compile the information requested 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 (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To comply with European Union regulations all REPS 4 applications and plans, including adjusted plans, are subject to eligibility and other checks. The checking procedures are in the final stages and I expect that payment in this case will issue in the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Animal Carcase Disposal: Animal Carcase Disposal (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned has applied to my Department for approval to treat animal by-products in a composting plant in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. This Regulation lays down strict controls for the safe use and disposal of animal by-products, with a view to safeguarding human and animal health. As part of the approval process, the plant operator must be able to demonstrate...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Last November, when it became apparent that dairy commodity prices internationally were in decline, I pressed the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Mariann Fisher Boel, to re-activate dairy market supports. These had been suspended since 2006 because of the historically high milk prices that had prevailed in the intervening period. The first step taken by the Commission,...

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The most recently published data on average incomes by sector is the National Farm Survey 2008. The table shows average family farm income by sector for the period 2006-2008 (2009 is not yet available). Average Family Farm Income by System of Farming â'¬ 2006 2007 2008 Dairying 36,221 51,071 45,732 Dairying/Other 24,774 31,068 23,733 Cattle Rearing 8,291 7,702 7,739 Cattle Other...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: This is a longstanding case involving leasing arrangements put in place initially in 1937. Following refurbishment of the pier in the late 1990s, the Port of Cork indicated a wish to alter the leasing arrangement with a view to ultimately acquiring the freehold of the area of foreshore in question. At a meeting between officials of my Department and representatives of the Port Company held...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department, owns, manages and operates two Fishery Harbour Centres in the counties referred to. Namely Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in Donegal and Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre in Galway. Large fishing vessels can access both of these Fishery Harbour Centres at all stages of the tide. Information with regard to ports not under the control of my Department should be sought from...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The cockle fishery remains closed due to restrictions arising from our obligations under the Birds & Habitats Directives and a related European Court of Justice Judgement. A plan outlining Ireland's roadmap to compliance with these Directives has been submitted to DG Environment and a follow-up meeting between Irish officials and the Commission took place in May. DG Environment advised that...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 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 — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Drogheda Local Office Executive Officer 1 Fulltime Permanent Staff Officer 1 Fulltime Permanent Clerical Officer 13 (50%) FulltimePartime PermanentPermanent Veterinary Officers 3 Fulltime Permanent District Superintendent 11 (3 day week) FulltimePartime PermanentPermanent Supervisory Agricultural Officer 1 Fulltime...

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

Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under both the Farm Waste Management and the Farm Improvement Schemes. In both cases on completion of the works concerned, grant-aid was calculated in accordance with my Department's Standard Costs or on the total of the eligible receipts/invoices submitted by the applicant, whichever is the lesser.

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: At the commencement of its work, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes requested all Departments to prepare evaluation papers outlining potential areas for savings in staff numbers and expenditure. The Special Group met the Secretary General and senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the course of its deliberations. The...