Results 6,561-6,580 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: During the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007, my Department has not suffered any premature retirement of assets due to any of the specified occurrences.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: All leasing arrangements for my Department's properties are organised by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Health Regulations: Health Regulations (10 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I collaborated with the Minister for Health & Children to ensure introduction of the legislation to which the Deputy refers. The legislation provides that all beef sold or served in the retail or catering sector is now required to carry an indication of the country of origin. Responsibility for enforcement of this legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (10 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The consideration of applications for felling licences takes into account a range of factors. The most important of these include extent of the area in question, location, age of the trees, species and environmental considerations. The decision to issue felling licences is taken by my Department following assessment of each application by the Forest Service Inspector for the area concerned...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme but did not comply with the deadlines for submitting applications under the Scheme and has therefore been deemed ineligible to participate in the Scheme. The applicant has been advised of his right to appeal the decision concerned to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme but did not comply with the deadlines for submitting applications under the Scheme and has therefore been deemed ineligible to participate in the Scheme. The applicant has been advised of his right to appeal the decision concerned to the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted a 2006 National Reserve application under Categories A and B. Category A catered for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16th May 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000-2002. The person named is not eligible for an allocation...

Written Answers — Rural Development Programme: Rural Development Programme (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Modulated funds of €225.5m are an integral part of the overall funding available for the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. The total funding for this programme amounts to €5.778bn from three sources: EU co-funding €2.114bn, Modulation €0.225bn, Exchequer €3.439bn. The programme addresses three priorities, competitiveness, the environment and the wider rural economy, and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: There are currently 667 Department staff in Kildare Street. However not all of these staff are due to move to Portlaoise, e.g. the Animal Health and Welfare Division, and other posts, are due to move to the Department's new offices in Backweston. In total some 600 posts are due to move to Portlaoise. My Department's decentralisation programme has been underway since 2004 so most of those who...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (11 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named on the 3 May 2007. The application was selected for a ground eligibility and cross compliance inspection, during the course of which, errors were discovered with regard to the identification and registration of bovine animals. This resulted in a 1% cross compliance penalty being...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Department's Decentralisation Implementation Plan allows for a phased movement to Portlaoise, i.e. the transfer of functions and posts over a number of years. Involving over 150 posts, the 2005 & 2006 phases of decentralisation to Portlaoise are now complete and the 2007 phase is in progress. Planning and preparations are ongoing for 2008 and subsequent phases. To facilitate the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the person in question received a number of afforestation grants under the Western Package Scheme between 1984 and 1988. Unlike the current afforestation scheme, no provision for payment of premiums existed under that particular scheme. In relation to selling part of the plantation, while I am not in a position to comment on whether any individual is entitled to sell a...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 3 May 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 20 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application of the person named has now been fully...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The labelling of beef is governed by comprehensive EU regulations, which were introduced in 2000, and is underpinned by a full national animal identification and traceability system. The compulsory elements of these regulations require operators involved in the marketing of beef to provide country of origin information, at each stage of the marketing process, on all beef sold, up to and...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 4 May 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 20 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application of the person named...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The following amounts were paid in respect of domestic mileage undertaken by Ministers of State at this Department over the 4 years from 2003 to 2006 and to date in 2007: 2003 Mr. Liam Aylward TD — €34,809.71 Mr. Noel Treacy TD — €33,425.24 2004 Mr. Noel Treacy TD — €29,306.73 Mr. Liam Aylward TD — €39,825.73 Mr. John Browne TD — €8,033.06 Mr. Brendan Smith TD...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The vast bulk of my Department's advertising is by way of press advertisements in the specialized farming press, with provincial newspapers and national daily newspapers also used. Radio advertising forms a very small part of my Department's advertising. My Department will, however, consider use of the specified radio station for local public awareness campaigns as the need arises.

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am very much aware of the very serious problem presented by the spread of the grey squirrel, not only to the native red squirrel but also to our increasing stock of broadleaf forests. The red squirrel's loss of territory to the grey and the economic cost of grey squirrel damage to our broadleaf trees is a major and urgent issue for our countryside today. Accordingly, I have sought expert...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The following is the information requested by the Deputy. Agency Remuneration Pension Scheme Ancillary Benefits â'¬ Coillte 253,243 Yes Performance Related Bonus Scheme Irish National Stud 104,668 Yes Performance Related Bonus Scheme Teagasc 151,261 Yes Expenses incurred in or about the performance of duties National Milk Agency 88,142 Yes Expenses incurred in or about the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The construction of agricultural buildings is subject to the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, whether or not the proposed work is the subject of a grant application to my Department. A general guide to the requirements of that Act, including guidance on the appointment of project supervisors, is included in the terms and conditions of the Farm Improvement...