Results 5,501-5,520 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since May of 2011 all vacancies on the State Boards that fall under my Department's remit are listed on the Department's website. Board appointments to a number of the bodies and agencies are not always made at my sole discretion. Instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by various organisations, specified in the relevant statute. These include the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (28 Mar 2012)

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

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Despite the financial pressures facing my Department I have made provision in 2012 for €243 million under agri-environment schemes. I am also considering the possibility of re-opening AEOS on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new scheme...

Written Answers — Farm Partnerships: Farm Partnerships (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Co-operation between farmers has long been the hallmark of Irish farming and this co-operation ranges from informal co-operation right through to limited companies. Partnerships are one of the more effective vehicles of co-operation and I strongly encourage farm families to seriously consider entering farm partnerships which, among other things, will bring improved economic returns and social...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225, 226 and 227 together. The information sought by the Deputy is in the following table. Year Property Consultant, Surveyor or Estate Agent Category Amount Paid(€) Total Cost for year(€) 2009 Lisney Property valuations 132,457 132,457 2010 Lisney Property valuations 7,260 DNG Dorrian Property valuations 130 Feeney Sherry Fitzgerald Estate Agents...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: No payments were made by my Department since 1 September 2008 to the investment banking firm referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (28 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: In general, all issues in relation to leases for Government Departments / Offices, including my Department are a matter for the Office of Public Works. With reference to the State Bodies that fall under my Department's remit, decisions relating to property leases are an operational matter for the state bodies themselves. My Department does not record such information nor is it required to do so.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: I participated in St Patrick's Day activities in Luxembourg and The Netherlands before travelling on to Brussels. I was accompanied by my Private Secretary. The 3 day itinerary included 15 separate engagements across a broad spectrum of activities including State agency related events, media briefings, Irish Community engagements and a bilateral engagement with an EU counterpart. Total costs...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application for 2011 Single Farm Payment Scheme was not was not submitted by the person named by the deadline of 17 May 2011. In fact, a completed application form was received from the person named in February 2012. The application form was accompanied by a letter of explanation and a medical certificate to support his appeal. Further medical evidence was sought and was received...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Food labelling, for which the Department of Health has lead responsibility, is governed by EU legislation. Beef labelling in particular is subject to comprehensive regulations concerning the identification of bovines and the labelling of their meat. These provisions were introduced in the wake of the BSE crisis to improve traceability and food security throughout the sector. In addition to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named joined the Suckler Welfare Scheme in 2008. He registered twelve animals in the Scheme that year and payment amounting to €880 was made for eleven of these animals during November and December 2008. Nine animals were registered in 2009 and payment issued for two of the animals in January 2010. A further six animals were registered in 2010 and eight in 2011 for which no...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2012)

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

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (29 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. The proposals as submitted to the Commission regarding changes to the minimum...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 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/cross compliance inspection. During the course of this inspection discrepancies were found that resulted in a claimed area of 15.14ha being reduced to 7.4ha. If the total area found is not sufficient to...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. In addition to funding for Department owned harbours the programme provides funding for Local Authority owned piers and harbours subject to available funding. My Department is currently assessing all applications received from Coastal Local Authorities for funding under the 2012 Fishery Harbour and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2012)

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

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Applications for funding under the 2012 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme are currently under consideration. I can confirm that my Department received detailed applications from Galway County Council in respect of 5 projects. These applications from Galway County...

Written Answers — Stocking Densities: Stocking Densities (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Commonage Framework Plans which were drawn up between 2000 and 2004, are currently under review and it is expected that this review will be completed by June of 2012. The review is being carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and my Department is co-operating with the process. The review will determine the minimum and maximum number of sheep each farmer will be allowed to...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc operates as a separate non-commercial semi state body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with their own management structure and governing Authority. The Act establishing Teagasc confers on it principal functions in relation to the provision of education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Mar 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 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 payment can issue. Following an inspection in July 2010 deficiencies were found in...