Results 1,521-1,540 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together. The following table details the average value of the Single Payment, in respect of the 2007 Scheme, by county: County Average € Carlow 15,149.29 Cavan 7,470.43 Clare 7,943.40 Cork 13,198.27 Donegal 6,028.95 Dublin 14,311.58 Galway 6,741.57 Kerry 7,749.77 Kildare 15,780.47 Kilkenny 16,542.81 Laois 14,171.05 Leitrim...

Written Answers — Farm Income: Farm Income (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 together. Information on retail prices is compiled by the Central Statistics Office. However, the information requested by the Deputy is not available.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: 12,675 applications were received under the Farm Improvement Scheme prior to its suspension on 31 October 2007 of which 487 were received in County Waterford. These applications are currently being processed up to the level of funding available. €0.014 million was spent nationally under the Scheme in 2007 whilst, to date in 2008, expenditure has been €6.518 million.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: Payments under the 2008 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 24 September, with payments issuing in respect of all applicants whose applications were clear for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear on a daily basis.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department has put in place a robust Information Technology infrastructure, at both the hardware and software levels, to secure portable electronic data devices. A comprehensive anti-virus software system is in place, which protects Department laptops, from email borne computer viruses. To enhance security on the Department's laptop computers, the Department has commenced a programme of...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The number of Department owned computer desktops or laptops or other data devices, such as blackberries and memory keys, reported lost, missing or stolen from my Department are set out in the following table: Year Lost/Stolen Recovered/Found 2002 3 Laptops were reported stolen None 2003 None N/A 2004 None N/A 2005 None N/A 2006 1 Laptop reported stolen None 2007 1 Laptop reported...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The deadline of 31 December 2008 for completion of work by farmers under the revised Farm Waste Management Scheme introduced by my Department in March 2006 is a condition of the EU state aid approval for the Scheme. The European Commission has since reaffirmed that it expects Ireland to strictly respect this deadline.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted an application to join the 1988 Scheme of Compensatory Allowances in respect of Forestry. This Scheme is operational for a maximum duration of twenty years from when afforestation of Disadvantaged Land took place as per the Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme. As the person named was in receipt of an annual payment in respect of 8.5 hectares of afforested...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The claim for payment lodged by the person concerned is being processed by my Department. I would expect that payment will be made in the near future provided that the claim is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Scheme.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: I am well aware of the significant contribution that forestry makes to the Irish economy and society. Ireland has benefited and continues to benefit from forestry through employment, the supply of timber, the mitigation of climate change, the provision of a secure source of energy, the conservation of native biodiversity and the provision of recreation facilities to name but a few benefits....

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The dairy sector is one of the two most important agricultural sectors in Ireland. The milk quota regime is therefore of critical importance, and its future must be considered in the context of the enormous potential that exists for the sector here to gain from the anticipated growth in global demand for dairy products in the medium to long-term. I share the general acceptance of the sector...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The worldwide increase in the price of feed materials during 2007 and the early part of 2008 led to significant increases in the price of compound feed for animals. I am pleased to note that the measures supported by my predecessor earlier this year in the form of suspension of the obligation to set 10% of arable land aside and the elimination of import duties for cereals, has resulted in...

Written Answers — Poultry Industry: Poultry Industry (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: My objective in regard to the poultry sector is that Irish produced poultry would retain the dominant share of the retail market for fresh poultry meat. This is currently the primary outlet for Irish product although there is strong pressure from competitively priced imports from other EU countries. The Quality Assurance mark is critical to retaining this market share. The Quality Assurance...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Sep 2008)

Brendan Smith: The estimate for completion of my Department's Decentralisation Implementation Plan was originally 2008, to coincide with the initial estimate of the availability of the permanent accommodation. The Plan allowed for a phased movement to Portlaoise and the 2005, 2006 and 2007 advance phases of decentralisation to Portlaoise were completed on schedule. To date, the Department has met its...

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Motion (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2008: Vote 31 — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2008: Referral to Select Committee (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I move: That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending 31st December, 2008, the Supplementary Estimate be referred to the Select Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to Standing Order 154(3) and paragraph (1)(a)(ii) of the Committee's Orders of Reference, which shall report back to the Dáil by no later...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The primary concern of my Department in assessing applications of this nature for foreshore consents are the protection and sustainable development of the foreshore. Decisions on applications are made following comprehensive expert advice from a range of consultees including the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This approach is of general application.

Written Answers — Seafood Imports: Seafood Imports (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Information requested contained in the following tables. Irish Fish Imports by Origin for Year 2007 Country Tonnes â'¬000 Great Britain 21,783 100,280 Germany 2,457 11,980 Iceland 1,020 7,800 Northern Ireland 2,596 6,067 France 1,214 5,682 Denmark 867 4,512 Netherlands 1,076 3,499 Faroe Islands 339 1,644 Canada 414 2,186 Norway 234 808 Spain 340 937 Thailand 654 2,590 USA...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (1 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Laptops distributed to staff within my Department are used primarily to facilitate secure remote access to the Department's computer network and applications and to assist staff in preparing work related presentations, spreadsheets and documents. While accessing the system remotely, the corporate data continues to be stored in the Department's secure data centre rather than on the laptop....