Results 1,341-1,360 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Bord Bia has in place a full programme of Quality Assurance food and horticulture schemes which it markets on an ongoing basis. The concept of Ireland, the Food Island was created by Bord Bia in 1996 as an umbrella brand to represent all facets of the Irish food and drink industry at international trade fairs. Bord Bia communicates directly with targeted buyers internationally via...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together. The interdepartmental group has been established and has held two meetings to date. Membership comprises representatives of the following Departments; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Finance; Foreign Affairs; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Environment, Heritage...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Over the 2005-2007 period, the Department launched the successful Regional Food Forum initiative to build closer links between state agencies and food businesses and to develop regional and local foods. As they developed, these fora were used to showcase local food and drinks products, research presentations on emerging market opportunities and to publish a regional trade directory of food...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together. The development of small and medium enterprises is supported under my Department's capital investment scheme for marketing and processing of agricultural products and a call for proposals issued in December 2007. The sectors involved were Horticulture, Livestock Marts, and Small slaughterhouses and low throughput Meat establishments....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A significant number of measures are in place to encourage the entry of young people in farming. These measures are aimed at supporting the early transfer of farms and relieving set-up costs. They include: The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme introduced in June 2007 which provides a grant of €15,000 for young trained farmers (57% higher than previous rate); 100% stamp duty relief on...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Stamp duty relief is available for farmers acquiring land, who are aged under 35 years and who have specific agricultural training. Deeds of transfer executed on or after 2 April 2007 and on or before 31 December 2008 are exempt from stamp duty where the transferee meets the conditions of the Scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The purpose of this relief is to encourage the...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together. Waste management is primarily a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The control authorities for water, nitrates and integrated pollution are the Environmental Protection Agency and/or local authorities. Under the Cross-compliance arrangements for the Single Payment System, this Department carries...

Written Answers — Adult Education: Adult Education (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 to 551, inclusive, together. I understand from Teagasc that training programmes are delivered at eight colleges and local centres in agriculture, horticulture, horse breeding and forestry. In 2007 a total of 612 students enrolled in further level training programmes bringing the total overall number participating in these programmes to 3,353. In addition...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The National Development Plan 2007-2013 commits €641m to Agri-Food Research. This funding is allocated via my Department's Core Grant to Teagasc and via the DAFF public good competitive programmes in Food, Agriculture and Forestry. In addition, the Interdepartmental Committee on Research and Technological Development provided a sum of €40m in 2007-08 for research collaboration in areas...

Written Answers — Research Funding: Research Funding (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: All non-Core research funding programmes i.e. FIRM (Food Institutional Research Measure), RSF (Research Stimulus Fund) and COFORD (Forestry Research) are operated solely on a competitive basis. The independent evaluation process involving international experts, coupled with the competitive nature of the programme ensures that only the very best projects receive funding. Certain standards...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The total budget allocation for the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Programme 2008 is €19.780 million. The 2008 Programme has been approved and the projects under the Programme are currently underway. Implementation of the Programme during the year will see significant investment at both the six Fishery Harbour Centres (which now includes An Daingean) and various Local Authority...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: Cromane is an aquaculture landing place under the control of Kerry County Council. The project involves the construction of a pier, breakwater and access road together with dredging of the entrance channel. My Department approved funding of €500,000 in 2007 and €750,000 in 2008 under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Due to considerable delays...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM is currently actively engaging with co-operatives from the main Fishery Harbours and has put in place a comprehensive programme of work for 2008 including: Seafood quality training for both co-op staff and members and key market analysis. The introduction of environment management systems is central to the introduction of key new brands.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: A scheme to decommission vessels greater than 18 meters in length has been drawn up and published earlier this year. On 23rd June 2008, I announced grant aid totalling €41.1m to decommission 46 fishing vessels under the 2008 fishing vessel decommissioning scheme. I am confident that this large scale decommissioning of older whitefish trawlers will, in line with Governments strategy for...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM delivers grant aid schemes for fleet safety and diversification as well as support for the inshore sector. These schemes will continue to be available to fishermen. BIM is responsible for the provision of seafood industry training in Ireland. Training is delivered at BIM's National Fisheries College (NFC), Greencastle, Co. Donegal, the Regional Fisheries Centre (RFC) Castletownbere, Co....

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM, Marine Institute and Udarás na Gaeltachta adhere to a policy of grant aiding investment to improve our marine environment. Examples include the Beaufort Awards in conjunction with the Marine Institute which fund research on ecosystem management, and a number of projects which are being implemented under the Science/ Industry partnership focusing on the reduction of discards in fisheries.

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: There are currently a number of initiatives being pursued by BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta aimed at enhancing the supply chain both at onboard level and in auction centres. BIM is delivering training at its training centres to upgrade skill levels of fishermen.The National Strategic Plan sets out a number of avenues to support economic and social development of maritime communities...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: BIM has an ongoing programme of grant aiding new onboard technologies in place and BIM are also currently carrying out trials on an eco friendly pelagic fishing net. The aim of such initiatives is to incentivise industry in adopting environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient fishing gear that is species and size selective, minimising the impact of fishing gear on sensitive habitats and...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Seafood Development Operational Programme includes a measure aimed at providing grant aid to small and medium sized aquaculture enterprises in the private sector. The Operational Programme has been finalised and discussions are underway with the Commission with a view to receiving Commission approval of the Operational Programme. DG Environment has opposed the inclusion of grant aid for...

Written Answers — Marine Research: Marine Research (10 Jul 2008)

Brendan Smith: The Marine Institute is currently implementing the Government's wide ranging marine research "Sea Change" Strategy. This involves a very wide range of marine research activities across the total marine sphere, including research on renewable ocean energy. For example, DAFF, in co-operation with the Marine Institute recently launched a joint public good research Initiative in marine...