Results 14,401-14,420 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: In answer to the Deputy’s question, two Special Advisers are employed in my Department, details of which are provided below:- Name Current Salary Ross MacMathúna (from 16/1/2012 to date) €103,200 (single point scale) Áine Kilroy (from 18/4/2011 to date) €81,676 (3 rd point Principal Officer Standard Scale) The salary increase for one of my advisors,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Since May 2011, expressions of interest are invited from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. In making board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: I have a number of key priorities for the period ahead as Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine.  In my view, we are now entering what will be a critical and exciting time for the agri-food sector. In particular, the coming year will see the transition to the new Common Agricultural Policy and the rollout of the new Rural Development Programme which will deliver a vital injection...

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

Simon Coveney: As I have retained my portfolio as Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there was no requirement to provide me with further briefing. When I was appointed in 2011, I was provided with such briefing and a redacted version of that is still available on my Department’s website

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Coveney: Details in relation to Special Advisers appointed by me since taking office are set out below. In respect of two of the appointments, the salary cap was exceeded, given the substantially higher salaries each earned in the private sector. The salary increases were approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Name Title Salary Fergal Leamy from 11/4/2011 to 9/9/2011...

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

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434, 482, 486, 511 and 515 together. The value in € million of Ireland’s trade in agricultural products with Russia since 2008 is set out in the following table. Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Exports 70 42 120 154 176 235 Imports 8.7 4.1 4.3 1.7 7.0 12.6 The main products exported to Russia in 2013 were tea...

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

Simon Coveney: The extent of my Department’s legal authority in respect of the property in question is not clear from the records currently available. My Department is investigating all aspects of this matter including, but not limited to, current usage of all parts of the property. This investigation involves consultation with other Government Departments and the Local Authority. My Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Agencies Funding (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Teagasc is funded from annual exchequer grant in aid allocations and own generated income. Grant in aid is utilised for pay and pension costs, non-pay current expenditure, provision of training and education programmes and capital investment in buildings and equipment. The following table profiles grant aid allocations over the past 4 budgets. Year €m 2011 132.156 2012...

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

Simon Coveney: The data requested by the deputy are set out in the following table for 2013. - No of Cases Paid Average Payment Waterford 2,377 €16,090.57 Nationally 123,165 €9,712.83

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 stMay 2013. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agricultural Colleges Courses (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 454 together. Under the Agricultural (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has statutory responsibility for the delivery of education and training programmes to the agriculture sector. The configuration of the new Single Farm Payment Scheme to prioritise support for young farmers has resulted in a temporary additional demand for Teagasc...

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

Simon Coveney: Under the Control of Horses , Act 1996 the Oireachtas has given Local Authorities extensive powers, including powers for the enactment of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area and, by extension, protection of persons and property. My Department provides financial support to local authorities to assist their work in implementing the...

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

Simon Coveney: Ireland’s TB Eradication Programme has for many years incorporated the results of broad-based scientific research on all aspects of the disease including, but not limited to, the role of badgers. In particular, my Department has and continues to sponsor relevant research by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) based within the University College Dublin...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2013 was 34 (31.20 full time equivalents ), with an expected annual saving of €1,549,035. The number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment between 1 January 2014 and 31 August 2014 was 72 (69.79 full time equivalent ), with a expected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Recruitment (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: The number of new staff hired in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013 was 14 Full Time Equivalents (FTE) with a current annual cost of €546 , 821.520, and for January – August 2014 was 11 FTE with a current annual cost of €384,590.74. This Department is currently involved in a Workforce Planning process in which the...

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

Simon Coveney: The 2012 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. This inspection initially identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found resulting in an intentional over-declaration in area of greater than 20% being determined. This resulted in no payment being made in respect of the Single Payment Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Turbary Rights (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: Preliminary work was commenced a number of years ago on the formulation of a scheme for the allotment of over one hundred turbary plots in Kilbride Bog. Considerable resources are required both administratively and on the ground to fully operate a scheme of this kind and completion of the scheme has not been possible in the last number of years. Available resources are currently deployed in...

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

Simon Coveney: Land declared under the Single Payment Scheme is required to be eligible, as defined, in the given year of application. Applicants are advised to only apply on eligible land; furthermore, in order to receive full payment, an applicant is required to declare one eligible hectare in respect of each payment entitlement held. Land which previously had been deemed ineligible in one Scheme year...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Appeals (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: To date, no appeal against the overpayment notified has been received by my Department. The applicant has been informed of this and has been made aware of the procedures to follow in order to make an appeal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Coveney: I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by suckler farmers in Ireland and the impact which declining beef prices have had on farm incomes in the sector in recent months. Against this backdrop, I announced details of an investment package worth up to €40m in 2014 aimed at sustaining a critical mass in the suckler cow herd, the seedbed for our beef industry. This package includes:...