Results 5,621-5,640 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Data (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: Under the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 , a range of measures has been designed in order to build the knowledge and skills base in the agri-food sector. These include provision for Knowledge Transfer Groups across the beef, sheep, dairy, equine, poultry and tillage sectors. Approximately 540 agricultural consultants have been approved to act as Knowledge Transfer Facilitators, and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: A number of technical adjustments to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme / Less Favoured Areas Scheme were implemented in recent years in response to budgetary pressures. These adjustments included reductions in the number of payable hectares and changes in relation to eligible livestock. The nature of these changes make it difficult to retrospectively determine the precise impact of reversing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: Payment for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme was agreed with the European Commission on a costs incurred and income forgone basis as per the terms of the Rural Development Regulation (Reg. 1305/2013). The economic benefits of participation were also factored into the calculations. As this is an article 28 measure under the Rural Development Regulation payments must be made on per...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Data (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: My Department is currently compiling the data requested by the Deputy. The relevant files have now been archived given that the Scheme is closed. Once the required data has been retrieved, the figures will be forwarded to the Deputy under separate cover.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tuberculosis Eradication Programme Payments (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I am fully aware of the level of compensation being paid to farmers who have had a TB breakdown and I do not accept that it is inadequate. It is worth noting also that the significant progress being made in the fight against TB means that there are now fewer reactor numbers and fewer herds restricted than before, thus lessening the chances of farmers being impacted by this disease. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: In determining resource requirements, my Department engages in on-going assessment of our business needs with particular emphasis on examining our work practices with the objective of driving efficiencies. With efficiencies arising across the Department particularly from investment in enhanced IT systems and new work areas coming on stream, my Department avails of Workforce Planning...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (5 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: In determining resource requirements, my Department engages in on-going assessment of our business needs with particular emphasis on examining our work practices with the objective of driving efficiencies. With efficiencies arising across the Department particularly from investment in enhanced IT systems and new work areas coming on stream, my Department avails of Workforce Planning...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides grant aid at a rate of 40% (50% in the case of young applicant’s under 35 years of age) on approved costs associated with capital investments in a broad range of specialised horticultural equipment and buildings that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Administration (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: The new Programme for Government commits to the introduction of a scheme for sheep farmers under the Rural Development Programme with a budget of €25 million to be provided in Budget 2017. It is important to stress that any such scheme must meet certain specific criteria laid down by Rural Development Regulation. As regards formulating the design of the scheme as well as its...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I am acutely conscious of the pressure farmers are under at present, and I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to exploring all of the appropriate options for providing assistance to the farm sector through current difficulties. Volatility in the dairy sector is a global issue to which a cohesive response is essential. Therefore, it is vital that we continue to work closely with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: The person named submitted an application for allocation of entitlements under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme on 25 May 2015. Under EU Regulations governing the Basic Payment scheme, processing of applications involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted. Preliminary checks indicate that the person...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: The closing date for the receipt of applications under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) was 29 May 2015, which was subsequently extended to 5 June 2015. There is no record that a BDGP application was received by my Department for the person named. The person named advised my Department that he had sent in an application form for the BDGP and lodged an appeal on this basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: The person named submitted an application for Tranche 1 of the GLAS Scheme but following the Department’s pre approval validation checks the application was unsuccessful and therefore was not selected for admission to the scheme. I understand that there may be an issue with the original assessment of this application and my Department is currently reviewing the application. Once...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 6 May 2016 I have appointed a total of 9 persons to the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. In the case of a number of State Bodies, while appointments are made by me they are on the basis of nominations from various organisations as specified in the relevant statutes. Details of all appointments...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff Data (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: My Department is an equal opportunities employer and does not differentiate on the basis of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Information regarding the ethnic background of staff is not collected by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Foireann Roinne (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: Beidh an Teachta ar an eolas gur aithníodh sé phost ina bhfuil gá le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge i mo Roinn. I measc na 83 earcach nua i mo Roinn le bliain anuas, earcaíodh Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin amháin a bhfuil Gaeilge aige chun folúntais a líonadh. Tá gach post Gaeilge i mo Roinn líonta anois.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I thank Senator Craughwell for raising this matter. As a self-described urban dweller, I think he has a reasonable grasp of the issues involved. I trust his briefing on the matter from Councillor McCarthy was fruitful in both directions in the context of the Seanad election, although the Cathaoirleach might have a slight concern about that. I thank Senator Craughwell for his kind remarks....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Food Safety Standards (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I thank the Senator for his remarks. I appreciate that, collectively, we share the same objective in terms of securing market access with the minimum imposition on individual farmers. I appreciate the invidious position in which this puts the staff of marts, namely, to be, in a way, the guarantor of safety at that juncture. With respect to the case of the aforementioned Councillor...

Seanad: Farm Safety: Statements (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment and wish him an equally long tenure. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on the issue of farm safety. While my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen, through his responsibility for the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, has primary responsibility for health and safety on farms, I am particularly supportive of the farm...

Seanad: Farm Safety: Statements (6 Jul 2016)

Michael Creed: I thank all of the Senators who contributed to the debate which was very well informed. In many respects, it is unfortunate that the reach of a debate such as this is relatively limited, but it serves to highlight the importance of having a week such as this to focus intently on specific issues. Several Members referred to the fact that every community, if not every family, is aware of the...