Results 5,461-5,480 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (22 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 182, inclusive, together. As the Deputy will be aware, since 2009 my Department has been engaged in a local office reorganisation process, the purpose of which has been to ensure the continuity of a top quality service to its clients while at the same time recognising the harsh economic reality in which the public service has to operate. The Raphoe...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department is engaged in a process with the group in question on their payment claim. The Department wishes to bring this process to a conclusion as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Hazardous Waste Sites: Hazardous Waste Sites (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. I have been authorised by the Government Decisions to take responsibility for submitting an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularise the licensing status of the East Tip of the Ispat site in relation to the hazardous waste deposited there. It is envisaged that expenditure of €40m will be incurred to...

Written Answers — Ombudsman Reports: Ombudsman Reports (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy will be aware, this matter centres on the refusal of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to carry out the recommendation of the Ombudsman in 2009 to award compensation of €245, 570 to a family who made an unsuccessful application for replacement capacity under the Lost at Sea Scheme. I am reviewing the case at the moment, and I will make a decision in the light...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the agri Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payment totalling €476.63 issued 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, must be completed before...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I recently welcomed the publication by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) of their draft BSE Rule, which essentially proposes to align US BSE rules with those of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the internationally-recognised forum for developing and setting guidelines and standards relating to animal health and trade in animal products. This would mean that the US would...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The staffing level in my Department's Raphoe office, broken down by grade and expressed as full time equivalents, is as follows: Clerical Officer 13.8 Technical Agricultural Officer 9 Supervisory Agricultural Officer 4 Veterinary Inspector 4 District Superintendent 3 Staff Officer 3 Executive Officer 2 Part-Time Cleaner 1 Higher Executive Officer `1 Services Officer 1...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am constrained from commenting in any detail about this matter because an investigation by my Department is ongoing and also because the company concerned has initiated its own legal proceedings against my Department. I can say that any investigations carried out by my Department are subject to the investigating powers set out in the relevant legislation. In addition, the Special...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 16th May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance Inspection. During the course of the inspection irregularities were recorded in relation to the Identification and Registration of Cattle concerning the failure to adequately maintain a herd register, missing...

Written Answers — Sugar Processing: Sugar Processing (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: In 2006, a temporary restructuring scheme was introduced by the EU Commission with the aim of reducing EU sugar production in order to comply with WTO and other international obligations. The scheme provided an incentive for Community sugar processors to renounce sugar quota and dismantle the associated sugar processing plants and it provided compensation for affected stakeholders. Greencore...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 27th April 2011. This application was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. During the course of this inspection discrepancies were found that resulted in a claimed area of 49.29ha being reduced to a found area of 49.04ha. As the difference between the area declared and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, processing of which was finalised with payment issuing on 15 December 2011. Therefore, there is no further payment amount due to the applicant under the 2011 Scheme, as he was fully paid in December.

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: This is an operational matter for Teagasc. The question of planning permission is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The first tranche under the Dairy Equipment Scheme which was reopened for applications last December closed on 31 January 2012. This tranche was heavily oversubscribed. The applications are currently being processed with a view to issuing approvals and this work will be completed as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2009 and received payments for the first two years of his contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Developments Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. Following a cross-compliance inspection an area discrepancy was...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned has submitted an application for grant-aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and was issued with an approval to commence the relevant investment works on 14 October 2011. A copy of the grant application and supporting documentation will be forwarded to the applicant as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The first tranche under the Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme which was reopened for applications last December closed on 29 February 2012. 268 applications for grant-aid were received during the course of this tranche and these applications are currently being processed within my Department. Approvals will issue as soon as possible to those applicants who have submitted valid applications...

Written Answers — Animal Welfare: Animal Welfare (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the Dursey cable car is a matter for Cork County Council. My Department has no plans to introduce codes governing the transportation of animals by cable car.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and Bord na gCon (BNG) receive State funding from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) which was established under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund was set up for the purpose of giving support to horse and greyhound racing. Provision has been made in my Department's Vote to allocate €45.03m to Horse Racing Ireland and...

Written Answers — Horse Racing Ireland: Horse Racing Ireland (27 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 and as such the operation of its racecourses is an operational matter for HRI. HRI owns and operates racecourses at Leopardstown, Fairyhouse, Navan and Tipperary. It also owns the Cork racecourse lands and is a party in the joint venture company which operates the racecourse. The...