Results 6,441-6,460 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Photographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. Where possible, the Press Office uses in house photography. The policy for booking a photographer for official purposes is that, my Departments Press Office seeks 3 quotes in advance of each photo-shoot to keep...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1363 and 1364 together. My Department hosts visiting delegations e.g. trade delegations, technical experts who visit Ireland to carry out advance inspections of Irish meat plants in anticipation of the opening up of new markets or visits by audit/inspection missions from statutory bodies such as EU Food and Veterinary Office, EU Commission. As part of this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not spent any money on hair and make-up since I took office.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1366 and 1439 together. I have detailed below all Ministerial Advisers that are employed in my Department. A salary increase was requested for one Special Adviser based on the substantially higher salary earned in the private sector prior to his appointment as Special Adviser. A single point salary of €110,000 was approved by the Minister for Public...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1367 and 1369 together. My Department does not employ external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department’s Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have detailed below the current gross salary costs for my private and constituency offices and those of the Minister of State in my Department, and the same figures for this time in 2011 as requested. Minister Coveney Office Current Salary Salary at 18/09/2011 Private €465,317 €353,563 Constituency €157,701 €157,520 Minister of State McEntee Office...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Consultancy Contracts (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1370 and 1373 together. My Department uses private contractors, consultants and agencies to provide certain services when such proves to be more cost effective and Department staff are not available. This can include services such as specialised laboratory services, computer services, legal advice or independent auditing services. These consultancy services...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Section 5.4 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour excludes staff holding temporary un- established positions and whose tenure is coterminous with that of the relevant Minister from the restrictions on engaging in political activity as set out in section 5 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Transport (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The total amount spent by my Department on drivers and ministerial transport in respect of the Minister of State and myself from February 2011 to date is €338,425.98. This figure includes the salary and subsistence costs of the drivers, mileage expenses, airfares and taxi/limousine hire when on official business. The system for the provision of transport and drivers for Ministers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am fully aware of the impact of the very difficult weather conditions of recent weeks on farmers and of the potential impact on farm incomes. For that reason, I sought and received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. This will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent the early payment of some €600 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Labour Court Recommendations (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am satisfied that any Labour Court recommendations issued in respect of my Department have been complied with. With regard to organisations under the aegis of my Department, it would be a matter for the Deputy to enquire from the bodies themselves as to the status of any Labour Court recommendation in respect of those agencies.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Teagasc Rationalisation Programme (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Decisions relating to the future of Teagasc local offices are operational matters for the Teagasc Authority to consider. Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the delivery of education, advisory and research services to the agriculture sector. It is a matter for Teagasc and its Board to prioritise activities in the delivery of these services and to allocate its resources in accordance...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry Development (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is responsible for the Ice Plant at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre and it is not within the remit of my Department to directly provide ice making facilities. The future management and operation of the Ice Plant is, therefore, a matter that should be raised with BIM directly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Quotas (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: In 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, the Celtic Sea stock, the stocks off the North West coast and the Atlanto Scandian stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: EU Legislation sets down risk assessment and approval procedures for release and cultivation of GM crops and also GM ingredients used in both food and feed. Only those GMO’s deemed safe by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use as food and feed and also safe to the environment are authorised for use in the European Union. Within Ireland the issue of genetic modification is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Numbers (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Of the staff engaged by my Department since 1 January 2011, one staff member has declared a disability. My Department also supports programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which offers 6 months paid mentored work experience placements to graduates with disabilities. Five such placements were facilitated during 2011 and 2012. As the Deputy will be aware, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: The details sought by the Deputy are as per the following tabular statement. Band No of farmers paid SPS in 2011 > €99,999.99 243 €75,000 - €99,999.99 416 €50,000 - €74,999.99 1,388 €25,000 - €49,999.99 7,995 €10,000 - €24,999.99 30,091 0 - €9,999.99 83,650

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1382 and 1428 together. This table sets out the information requested. 2010 payment category per hectare Number of farmers Total Area (ha) Less than €100 per ha * 24,042 787,109 €100 to €250 per ha 45,105 1,488,474 €250 to €500 per ha 53,142 2,101,559 €500 to €1,000 per ha 7,401 332,799 Greater...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Conditions (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the importance of agri environment payments to the agriculture sector and am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) to allow for the submission of new applications. I am examining the situation against the background of the strict budgetary constraints which are in place and the difficult choices which must be made in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Appeals (18 Sep 2012)

Simon Coveney: Penalties will not be imposed on the Single Farm Payment in relation to an over-declaration of eligible areas if the total eligible area determined (found) is equal to or greater than the number of payment entitlements held by the applicant. Under the provision of Regulation (EC) No 1122/2009, which is directly applicable in Ireland and all other Member States, where the claimed area is...