Results 14,061-14,080 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: To be eligible to participate in the new Basic Payment Scheme, a farmer must submit an application for the allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme before the closing date which will be the 15th May 2015. S/he must be an active farmer carrying out an agricultural activity or at least maintaining the land in good agricultural environmental condition. On marginal land a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licences (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay has been received by my Department. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. A determination in respect of the application...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: As the Deputy is aware, the lands declared by applicants under the Single Payment Scheme also applies, where appropriate, to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, REPS and other area-based schemes. In 2013, a total of 14,929 applicants declared commonage land parcels on their applications forms.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: There have been a number of different agri-environment schemes running since June 1994, commencing with REPS 1. REPS 4 is the latest and the last in the REPS series, having been succeeded by AEOS, the Agri-Environment Options Scheme, which opened in 2010. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and provided inter aliafor the application of environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since I first proposed the 80% participation level on Commonages to qualify under Tier One of GLAS, I have further reviewed the position and I announced on 13 May 2014 that I was building in a second-tier access to the Scheme where a minimum of just 50% participation could be secured. I believe this will significantly ease the burden of securing agreements, while at the same time providing a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (12 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since 2008, the number of posts at Head of Division level and above in my Department reduced as a result of changes in work practices and wider reforms. Notwithstanding this, two vacancies, the Head of Agricultural Laboratories (€104,235 rising by 6 points to €117,634 (LSI 2)) and Superintending Senior Research Officer (€92,131 rising by 6 points to €109,075...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am very strongly committed to promoting Farm Safety in collaboration with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the organisation with primary responsibility for securing health and safety at work, and which is under the responsibility of my colleague, Minister Bruton. For the last three years, my Department has included a Farm Safety message with the Single Payment application packs,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coastal Protection (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not carried out any assessment of the storm damage caused to coastal farmlands. However, I am conscious of the hardship caused by this storm damage particularly to the farming community. As the Deputy is aware my Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and other area based...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Bodies (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department has funded organisations involved in animal rescue including an organisation involved in seal rescue. The general principles governing transport of animals is that no animal of any species must be transported unless it is fit for the intended journey. Transport of animals directly to or from veterinary practices or clinics can be undertaken on the advice and discretion of a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Investigations (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department has received anonymous correspondence regarding the organisation and the matter is being followed up by my officials.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named contends that he submitted his 2013 SFP application form to my Department by express post on 15thMay 2013. In November of 2013 the person named submitted a completed SFP application form together with proof of postage from 15thMay. However, the envelope when traced, using the express post receipt submitted, had been recorded by my Department as having contained a completely...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Arrangements have been made to have an official of my Department make direct contact with the person named in order to fully explain the issues which have been highlighted by the ongoing LPIS Review in relation to land parcels declared by the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: TB Eradication Scheme (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The primary compensation measure available under the TB Eradication scheme to herdowners, whose holdings are restricted due TB and who have reactor animals removed, is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme. In 2013, my Department paid €10.5m to 3,376 herdowners under this Scheme. In addition, herdowners may also qualify for additional payments under the Income Supplement, Hardship or...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named and Teagasc regarding the issues raised by the Deputy. The case has now been reviewed and the appeal has been successful. Any outstanding payments on foot of this review will issue as soon as possible to the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Capital Programme Expenditure (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme on an annual basis. This programme funds capital works at the six state owned Fishery Harbour Centres; Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros an Mhíl, Killybegs, Howth and Dunmore East as well as Cape Clear Island and various Piers, Lights and Beacons for which the Department is also responsible...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Capital Programme Expenditure (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The total capital funding to my Department for 2014 is €200.5 million and includes €16.8 million capital savings carried over from 2013. A substantial proportion of the Department’s capital budget covers the payment of capital grants under various demand led schemes on projects which include construction work undertaken by individuals or corporate entities in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: A review of the lands declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. In order to clarify the position regarding the area of any ineligible features my Department arranged for a ground verification check to be undertaken. The outcome of this check resulted in an over claim in area of greater...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre in County Dublin is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. Notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, I am happy to be able to advise that in excess of €2.76 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC as part of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Freedom of Information Fees (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is provided in the following table. Year No of request where search & retrieval fees sought 5 Largest Fees Sought 2010 7 €775.15 - - €252.00 - - €251.40 - - €209.50 - - €104.75 2011 8 €299.98 - - €209.50 - - €114.75 - - €104.50 - - €104.50 2012 7 €446.54 -...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Industrial Relations (17 Jun 2014)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently has one case in relation to the Employment Equality Acts pending in the Equality Tribunal. My Department has no cases currently before the Labour Court, CPSA or the EAT. In respect of one additional case, my Department has been named as co-respondent along with three other Government Departments. As the subject matter is not of relevance to my Department, my...