Results 5,161-5,180 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Commonage Division: Commonage Division (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes, are fully and partially funded by the European Union. The relevant Competent Authorities in each Member State are obliged to ensure that the requirements of the governing EU Regulations are observed and that only valid applications that fully comply with the requirements are...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in February 2009 and received payments for the first two years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Administrative checks in respect of the 2011 payment have...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: There have been no recent changes to the land classification system and the position is that only land that forms part of the utilisable agricultural area of a holding can qualify for payment under the Rural Protection scheme (REPS) or the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS). For the purposes of both schemes, the utilisable agricultural area is determined by the corresponding area...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: A total of â¬27,508.77 in mileage expenses was incurred for the period in question. This is an aggregate total in respect of expenses attributable to myself and Minister of State Shane McEntee. The overall distance to which this total is attributable is 82,448kms. The basis on which Ministers record their mileage does not require them to list individual trips.
- Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (28 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 — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The material for reply is being co-ordinated and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
- Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: I am considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environment Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of an assessment of how a new scheme might be funded within the reduced funding and resulting pressures on the Department's Vote in the current year and, in particular, having regard to the expenditure ceiling for 2013 as...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named received an advance payment of â¬5,158.37 on 19 October 2009 and a balancing payment of â¬2,060.73 issued on 1 December 2009 under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme. Following the processing of an application under the 2011 SPS Scheme, an advance payment of â¬2,625.72 was made to the applicant on 15 November 2011 and a balancing payment of â¬2,603.09 was issued on 1 December...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Funding for works at the piers at both Doonloughan and Inis NÃ was approved as part of my Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Programme for 2011. Application for payment in respect of these locations was made by Galway County Council in December 2011 but regrettably my Department was unable to process the applications in the absence of an up to date Tax Clearance...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for 2012 is not yet finalised. I can confirm however, that all applications for funding made by Local Authorities in respect of qualifying projects are currently being assessed in the context of the available exchequer funding and other competing priorities. All Local Authorities will be advised of the funding...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, following processing of this application an overpayment was identified and notified to the person named. However, following an appeal by the person named, the matter was fully reviewed and it has been concluded that a penalty is not now warranted. The person named is being notified, in writing,...
- Written Answers — Horse Racing Ireland: Horse Racing Ireland (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Foal Levy Scheme was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, the Horse and Greyhound Racing (Betting Charges and Levies) Act, 1999, refers. The Levy is payable by all breeders whose thoroughbred foals are born and registered in Ireland. The scheme is administered by Horse Racing Ireland, the State body with responsibility for the thoroughbred sector. The proceeds of the levy are used by...
- Written Answers — Marine Safety: Marine Safety (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is an independent statutory body and the main provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. I have requested a report on the issues raised by the Deputy from the BIM Chairperson.
- Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Over the past year, I and my Department have been extremely active in raising the question of an adjustment to the milk quota regime at every appropriate opportunity. We have made determined efforts to secure a soft landing for all Member States in the lead-up to milk quota abolition in 2015, as envisaged in the 2008 CAP Health Check agreement. I have discussed the matter extensively with...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The European Commission's proposals for the reform of the CAP post-2013 include a proposal to gradually move away from payments based on historical production towards a system of uniform national or regional payment rates by 2019. The mechanism proposed raises serious concerns for Ireland, in that it would result in very significant transfers from more productive farms to more marginal and...
- Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: I am committed to agri-environment schemes, which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of all society. This is highlighted by the fact that despite the financial pressures facing my Department, I have made provision in 2012 for â¬243 million under agri-environment schemes, including...
- Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Despite the on-going serious difficulties in the public finances, a total funding of â¬1,312m is being provided in the Department's Vote in 2012, â¬1,144m in current and â¬168m for capital expenditure. On the capital side, the 2012 capital allocation will be boosted by a further â¬27m by way of carry-over of savings from 2011 to provide total capital funding next year of â¬195m. The...
- Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: Currently carbon credits accrue only to new forests planted after 1990. It is the Government's view that carbon credits are owned by the State, irrespective of the owner of the land. As announced by the Government last week, consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to...
- Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: As announced by the Government last week, consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable price to Government. A valuation of Coillte assets is currently being undertaken by the NTMA (NewERA unit) in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. No...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Feb 2012)
Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query...