Results 12,881-12,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: As part of the ongoing LPIS Review of the eligibility of land parcels declared under various Area-based Direct Aid Schemes, the applications received from the person named under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme were reviewed and, following correspondence with the person named, matters satisfactorily resolved, thereby allowing outstanding payments in respect of the 2010 and 2011 Disadvantaged...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Town Trusts (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: As regards these two trusts relating to the town of Castlerea, I am advised by the trustees that there is now a complete separation of the public and private trusts, including separate bank accounts.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Irish agricultural production system is already recognised as being one of the most efficient in the world. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has found that Irish dairy production has the joint lowest carbon footprint in the EU. The footprint of Irish beef is also below the EU average. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has also found that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: EU Regulation 1307/2013 outlines the basic criteria for the definition of 'young farmer' while allowing Member States to add further objective criteria. I have already indicated that persons hoping to qualify as young farmers in Ireland must have completed a recognised course of education in agriculture giving rise to an award at FETAC level 6 or its equivalent. Under the National Reserve...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Following processing of the application of the person named under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, issues were identified in relation to equine documentation. Following protracted contact with the person named, these issues were successfully resolved. In the meantime, however, the application is now subject of the current LPIS Review, whereby land parcels declared under Area-based...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy will be fully aware of the value of the EU funded Direct Payment Schemes to Ireland. Each year farmers in Ireland benefit from funding of over €1.5 billion under Schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Agri-Environment Schemes, etc. This comprises the entire net income of many thousands of Irish farmers. The European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts Data (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The live export trade has a dual role in stimulating price competition for domestic cattle while satisfying a real demand for suitable Irish cattle in overseas markets. My Department and Bord Bia remain fully committed to facilitating this trade so that producers can secure the best possible returns for Irish beef and live exports. However, the potential to grow the live trade to Britain...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Issues (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Market conditions in the cattle sector are monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department and I am aware of reports that some sellers are experiencing difficulties in trading and moving stock particularly those animals that do not qualify for the industry's Quality Payment System. Prices for prime steers and heifers have remained relatively stable but the young bull trade is challenging at...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry Issues (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: While my Department has a role in monitoring and reporting on cattle prices I have no function in relation to commercial transactions between meat factories and their suppliers. Rather this is the responsibility of the industry – processors and farmers working together – to manage the type and volume of cattle brought to market so that the supply chain operates for the benefit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: I would like to clarify that there were no so-called claw back of payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme. In processing the applications under the Single Payment Scheme and other Direct Aid Schemes, my Department is legally obliged to adhere to the requirements set out in the EU Regulations governing each of the Schemes. It is not possible to deviate from the provisions of these...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Imports (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: To be approved to export to the EU, a Third Country must satisfy the European Commission that its regime offers equivalent guarantees to those applicable in the EU, particularly in terms of legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, zoonoses controls and other food law. In addition, an approved residue monitoring programme must be in place....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme which my Department administers on an annual basis provides funding for capital works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres. The allocation of funding within the 2014 Programme is currently under consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: Under 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, eligible applicants were required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While the holding of the person named was confirmed as having satisfied the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Felling Licences Applications (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The average waiting times for applicants for felling licences is approximately 17.5 weeks. A number of changes have been implemented in recent months in order to improve the felling licence application processing system. Where felling licence applications need to be referred to outside agencies, a period of one month is allowed to Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and County Councils to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The new forestry programme for 2014 – 2020 will continue to be funded by the exchequer under EU state aid rules. The latest state aid rules which are in draft form only, limit the level of State support for forest roads to 40% of the total eligible costs as opposed to 80% under the previous programme. The development of the new forestry programme will be carried out in parallel with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The amount spent by my Department on advertising in 2013 was €182,759.50. Breakdown detailed. Print Media €179,021 Video – Forest Fire Prevention €3,739 The vast bulk of the Department’s advertising consists of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial newspapers and national daily newspapers. This includes the publication of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Social Media Policy (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not operate social media at present.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: The bovine Tuberculosis (TB) eradication programme, implemented by my Department, includes a wildlife strategy which involves the removal of badgers when an epidemiological investigation carried out by the Department’s Veterinary Inspectorate concludes that badgers are implicated in a serious outbreak of TB in cattle. This policy was introduced in light of research conducted over the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Development (11 Feb 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department has received a report from the company referred to by the Deputy that due to the recent stormy weather, damage has been done to one of the cages on site and that a fish loss is likely to have occurred as a result. Due to the ongoing weather conditions it has not been possible to quantify the fish loss but the company has advised that a fish count will be taken as soon as...