Results 4,961-4,980 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications, including that of the person named, is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to begin releasing the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named and my officials will be in touch with him shortly. Processing of the application cannot be completed until this issue been resolved.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Ombudsman's Special Report to the Oireachtas in relation to her investigation of a complaint made by an unsuccessful applicant under the Lost at Sea Scheme. The Ombudsman's special report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on Monday, 14 December last.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (16 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The following is the information requested by the Deputy: 2006 - Minister Coughlan, €1,731.20; Minister Smith, €5,855.83; and Minister Wallace, €1,459.41 2007 - Minister Coughlan, €12,280.52; Minister Smith, €2,365.81; Minister Wallace, €423.08; Minister Sargent, €2,623.15; and Minister Browne, €2,469.48; 2008 - Minister Coughlan, €3,824.37; Minister Smith, €1,837.55;...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: €121.845 million was allocated to Forestry and Bio Energy in last week's Budget and this is an increase of 2% on the 2009 allocation. This allocation is sub-divided as follows: €104.93 million has been allocated to the main Afforestation Programme which will fund approximately 7 000 hectares of new planting in 2010 as well as ongoing commitments such as the annual forest premium and 2nd...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 334, 337 and 338 together. The €100 million fund announced recently to improve the food industry's competitiveness will be allocated over a four year period. It will support research and development, innovation and competitive manufacturing initiatives operated by Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia marketing initiatives. The €9.5m for 2010 announced in the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: A n issue has arisen during the processing of the REPS 4 application from the person named. Processing of the application cannot be completed until this has been resolved. My officials will be in contact with him shortly.

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application from the person named was received in my Department on 28 October 2009. All applications received up to the closing date of 30 October are being examined in my Department at present. The details of the application from the person named, as well as the funding available, will be taken into account in reaching a decision. As soon as the decision has been made, the applicant...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application for an allocation under Category A of the 2009 National Reserve. This category caters for farmers who inherited, leased or otherwise received free of charge, or for a nominal amount (up to €100 per hectare), from a farmer who retired or died before 16 May 2005, a holding that was leased out to a third party during the 2000-2002 reference period....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme have been processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 1 January 2009, there was 4,245 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed in my Department. On 30 November 2009 (latest figures available) there were 3,935 (FTE) staff employed in my Department.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The file belonging to the person named is currently being reviewed following an inspection under the Single Payment Scheme, and my officials will be in contact with him shortly.

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The position is that my Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), the Disadvantaged Areas Compensatory Allowance Scheme (DAS) and the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the schemes, and compliance with the cross-compliance regime. In 2009...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under Council Regulation 21/2004 as amended the implementation date for the mandatory introduction of electronic tagging (EID) of sheep is definitively set at 31 December 2009. I have no discretion in this regard. I have consistently sought the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis and most recently at the Agriculture Council on 20 November 2009. Regretfully, there is not sufficient...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The 2010 budget provisions compared to 2009 for my Department are as follows. 2009 (including Difference Supplementary Estimate) Gross €1,735m. €2,003m. - €268m. Receipts €384m. €404m. - €20m. Net €1,351m. €1,599m. - €248m. The above represents a comparison between the 2009 Vote, including the Supplementary...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed to new applicants on 14 October 2008 and I have no immediate plans to reopen entry to the Scheme at this time. I have, however, made provision of €9.75 million in 2009 to meet the existing commitments under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and the preceding equivalent schemes. When the Early Retirement Scheme was suspended it became...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Coillte was established pursuant to the Forestry Act of 1988. Section 35 (6) of the Act refers to the manner in which the Chief Executive Officer of Coillte shall hold office, including reference to terms and conditions. The existing employment relationship between Coillte Teoranta and its Chief Executive Officer is however governed by a contract of employment made between the two parties....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under Section 24 (2) of the Forestry Act 1988, Coillte may borrow money temporarily with my approval and the consent of the Minister for Finance. The approval granted under Section 24 (2) was not in relation to specific loans but rather for a certain overall limit. Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: Discussions between officials of my Department and the European Commission on a new agri-environment scheme are at an advanced stage and I am confident that formal approval will be secured in the near future. I expect to be in a position to announce details of the scheme early in 2010.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Dec 2009)

Brendan Smith: The proposed agri-environment scheme is a new initiative and is not a continuation of REPS. Selection criteria for applicants will apply, and these will be based on the continuation of potential applicants to the priorities of achieving biodiversity, water management and climate change objectives. My officials are in discussion on the details of the view scheme. I am confident that formal...