Results 4,901-4,920 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first three years of the contract period. 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, had to be completed before any payment could issue in respect of 2011. These checks...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates a number of grants and scheme payments for farmers. Funding for these schemes is provided by the Exchequer, the EU or a combination of both and all expenditure must be carried out in an appropriate manner and in strict compliance with the regulatory requirements. Area-based schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2007-13, in particular, are subject to EU...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I attend the EU Council of Ministers (Agriculture and Fisheries). Between 2007 and the end of 2011, there were 54 formal meetings of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers and 11 informal meetings. Ireland was represented at the majority of these meetings at Ministerial level either by the sitting Minister and/or, when fisheries items...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland's total land area. From an economic perspective, the Scheme is particularly significant, contributing to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted by the physical...

Written Answers — Seafood Industry: Seafood Industry (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Irish National Seafood Programme was published in July 2010 and sets out a framework for Exchequer grant aid for certain aspects of the seafood industry, including aquaculture and seafood processing. The National Programme is complimentary to the Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013, which sets out a framework for EU co-funded grant aid to certain other aspects of the...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: No application has been received in respect of a deep sea fish farm off the Aran Islands. However it is understood that such an application is being prepared on behalf of Bord Iascaigh Mhara. An application, if received, will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 which include a period of public consultation.

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (31 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have examined this matter and I am satisfied that the position, with regard to the response that issued on 6 September 2011 from my Department to the person in Co. Carlow, remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 158, inclusive, together. The position is that officials in the Special Investigation Unit are officers of my Department and they operate fully in accordance with national and EU legislation. I am not aware of any widespread concern at the manner in which the SIU has carried out its work or that it has abused its powers of investigation. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bord Bia has a statutory mandate to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish food and drink, seafood, livestock and horticulture products through innovative and effective research, development and promotion activities. The Bord Bia Acts require the Chair to have knowledge or experience of the food industry and of consumer requirements. The newly appointed Chairman has these...

Written Answers — Inland Fisheries: Inland Fisheries (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The general regulation of salmon fishing on rivers and lakes is a matter for the Department of Energy, Communications and Natural Resources. I assume the enterprise referred to by the Deputy is a "Put and Take" fishery. From a fish health perspective, "Put and Take" fisheries must be authorised by the Marine Institute in accordance with S.I. No 261 of 2008 (as amended). All movements of live...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested in relation to applications received under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the Early Retirement Scheme between 6 and 13 October 2008 in my Department's office in Johnstown Castle, Wexford is set out in the following table:- Scheme Number of Applications Received Whether Further Documentation Required Number Approved for Payment Young Farmers'...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The details requested in relation to the funding allocations under the 2011 budget and the corresponding actual outturns for my Department by programme and scheme are as follows: New 2011 Subhead Format Budget 2011 Actual Outturn A.1 Administrative Pay 15,085 15,176 A.2 Administrative Non-Pay 4,325 3,524 A.3 Research & Training 35,695 35,189 A.4 Development of Agriculture & Food (farm...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010 and has received full payment in respect of 2010. 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, had to be completed before any...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The above named applicants under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme received full advance and balancing payments on 17 October and 1 December 2011 in respect of the entitlements held by them at that time. These applicants received an additional allocation of entitlements on 15 December requiring additional processing of their application. When processing was completed a further balancing...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: There has been significant public investment in the sheep sector in recent years. Key supports for this sector include €7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme and €54 million for the three-year Grassland Sheep Scheme which commenced in 2010. The grassland Sheep Scheme is proving to be a valuable support mechanism in terms of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The table below details (i) the number of applicants who have received a payment in respect of their 2010 agri environment options scheme and (ii) the number of farmers who have yet to receive payment on a county by county basis. To summarise a total of 6030 applicants have received payments for the 2010 AEOS (detailed on a county by county basis in the following table) and a further 528...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland's total land area. From an economic perspective, the Scheme is particularly significant, contributing to the support of in excess of 100,000 Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted by the physical...

Written Answers — Fishing Quotas: Fishing Quotas (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The policy in relation to the distribution of mackerel in the polyvalent sector was reviewed and finalised in early 2010 and included a detailed public consultation process. Following that process, a fishery for Mackerel for small fishing vessels was established by the Minister whereby an amount of mackerel is available to polyvalent vessels under 18m in length. The quantity of mackerel...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I understand that Fisheries Bye-Law No. 7 of 16 February 1857 remains in force in relation to Inver bay. Bye-Law No. 7 is the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Energy and natural Resources. While Bye-Law No. 7 prohibits trawling within Inver Bay within a straight line from the Bian Rock to Doorin Point it is effectively unenforceable given the very low level of penalty...