Results 5,421-5,440 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in October 2009 and received payment for the first two years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulation which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks are being finalised and as a...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 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, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks an issue arose...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: As the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, it is necessary to obtain the agreement of the EU Commission to any proposed changes; my officials are involved in ongoing discussions with Commission officials in this regard and a decision is awaited. It should be noted that the proposed criteria may be subject to some changes...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to the relevant EU Regulation in relation to inspection procedures and other issues. My Department's policy with regard to REPS inspections is that they are unannounced. This practice is provided for in the EU regulations. All Inspectors are aware of health and safety standards and that they must...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers. There has been extensive contact between the individual concerned and officials from my Department regarding these matters. I have also written to this individual and I have explained to him my Department's responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses and the options open to him should he wish to further...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare Issues: Animal Welfare Issues (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers. There has been extensive contact between the individual concerned and officials from my Department. I have also written to this individual and I have explained to him my Department's responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses and the options open to him should he wish to further progress the matters he...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 to 549, inclusive, together. Schmallenberg virus (SBV) was confirmed in December 2011 following the birth of deformed lambs in the Netherlands. Its manifestation in adult cattle (as low grade fever and unexplained milk drop-from which animals made a full recovery) had been under investigation in Germany and the Netherlands since summer/autumn 2011. The...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (21 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 551 and 552 together. The information requested by the Deputy for the named agencies can be found in the following table. However, queries regarding additional allowances and expenses issued to employees of these State Bodies should be addressed to the State agencies themselves. Body Total Number of Staff(Full-time equivalents) Job Titles Total Number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 12 State Bodies that fall under the aegis of my Department. 1. Aqua Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) 2. Bord Bia 3. Bord na gCon 4. BIM 5. Coillte 6. Horse Racing Ireland 7. Irish National Stud 8. Marine Institute 9. National Milk Agency 10. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority 11. Teagasc 12. Veterinary Council of Ireland

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The expenses in respect of mileage (kilometre) claimed by Ministers of State in this Department for each year from 2005 to 2010 is set out in the following table: Minister Of State 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Mr. Brendan Smith €35,998.68 €35,014.72 €10,981.32 Mr. John Browne €35,852.83 €6,792.03 €19,662.73 €17,525.55 Ms. Mary Wallace €39,270.40 €44,765.52...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Applications for forestry plant must meet certain criteria to be eligible for such applications to proceed. All applications submitted to my Department for approval to undertake afforestation are examined regarding the suitability of the site from a silvicultural, productivity and environmental perspective. The application by the person named is currently with the relevant Forestry...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The establishment of an effective discussion group model similar to that successfully employed in the dairy sector was a key recommendations of the report of the industry-led Beef 2020 Activation Group which was set up to advise on the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) giving effect to this recommendation was devised following...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department implements the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 10/10 "Facilitating SME Participation in Public Procurement". Public procurement contracts, including prior information notices, are advertised by my Department on the national e-tenders and official EU Journal websites where appropriate and in line with the financial thresholds applicable. The e-Tenders...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be aware that the EU Commission published proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy in October last that will, if implemented, bring about significant changes to the Single Farm Payment and to the systems of support for the market and for rural development. My priorities in these negotiations are: · To ensure that the negotiations on the next EU budget...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The farm gate value of the poultry sector, at €150m (approx €120m meat and €30m eggs), is 3% of gross agricultural output. Export values in 2011 increased by 3% to €210 million arresting the decline experienced in recent years. Most of this increase occurred in European and Asian markets. Approximately 6,000 people are employed across the sector. Food Harvest 2020 targets a 10%...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is the body within the State responsible for gathering data and reporting on the landings of sea fish by Irish Sea Fishing Boats and other fish landings into Irish ports. I have asked the Authority to provide the Deputy directly with the data requested.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry: Fishing Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 563 together. I am advised by an Bord Iascaigh Mhara that some 2,870 people are presently employed in the Irish seafood processing industry. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020. Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the potential for...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Central Statistics Office publishes employment statistics in its Quarterly National Household Survey, the most recent of which was in respect of Quarter 4, 2011. The following table shows these figures and those for the 4th Quarters of the previous three years. Following a dip in 2009 and 2010 employment in the sector has, during the course of 2011, returned to previous levels. On the...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (21 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The latest CSO data indicates that the beef cow herd numbered 1.063m head in December 2011, a marginal reduction of 7,400 head (or 0.7%) on the figure for December 2010. Improved cattle prices have helped to stabilise suckler cow numbers but overall herd size is not expected to grow significantly. Ultimately, the size of the national herd, including the beef cow herd, is a function of...