Results 16,861-16,880 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fruit and Vegetable Sector (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are no mushroom producer groups recognised in Ireland. There is one mushroom producer organisation recognised in Ireland for the purposes of the EU Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector. This scheme provides for payment of EU aid to recognised producer organisations to implement multi-annual operational programmes, approved in advance by the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1st February 2015, Ireland is contributing 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. Four Defence personnel are serving with the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Ireland has participated in this mission since its establishment in 2010. Prior to that, from 2001 to 2010, Defence Forces personnel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are committed to the provision of the highest standard of customer service to the individuals and organisations with whom they interact. The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces Customer Charter and Customer Service Action Plan, covering the period 2013 – 2015, sets out the principles and standards of customer service that can...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As outlined previously to the House, a claim has been received from the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) in relation to this matter and it is being dealt with under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force. Discussions have taken place with the Representative Association, with regards to their claim, under a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 109 together. I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including training resources and equipment, enables them to carry out their roles, both at home and overseas. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The acquisition of new equipment and technology for the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. The budgetary situation will continue to dictate the level of funding available for new equipment, training and Information Technology Equipment upgrades for the Defence organisation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Vessels (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of a new White Paper on Defence is under way. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for Defence and Defence provision for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges to our defence and security environment that may emerge into the future given that such areas can be volatile and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force, at 31 December 2014, the latest date for which figures are available was 9,280, comprising 7,457 Army, 766 Air Corps and 1,057 Naval Service personnel. The following table outlines the establishment, strength and vacancies of the Permanent Defence Force, by Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. All promotions...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Strength (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. - 31 December 2011 31 December 2012 31 December 2013 31 December 2014 Total PDF Strength 9,438 9,359 9,236 9,280 In relation to the figures in the table, the serving strength figures for 2013 and 2014 are the Whole Time Equivalent strengths. The fluctuation in strength is based on the serving strength at the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: As of 1 February 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 432 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement attached. In addition to the personnel listed in the tabular statement there is one officer deployed to the Embassy of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Equipment (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order including the protection of the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána. However, one of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is to provide Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. A...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1stMay 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was one of a number of applicants under the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases are impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 and who applied for derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently submitted additional information to my Department, which following review...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 29 April 2014. Payment has not issued as yet, as the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Immediately the holding is identified as meeting these requirements, the application will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Applications (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. During the administrative checks in 2014 an area discrepancy was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fish Landings (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is the body within the State responsible for data recording and reporting on the landings of sea fish by Irish Sea Fishing Boats. I have asked the Authority to respond directly to the Deputy with the data requested.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Installation Aid Scheme Eligibility (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that there is a group of young farmers who established their holdings in 2008 and 2009 and who missed out on the Installation Aid scheme which closed to applications in 2008. I intend to prioritise their applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation scheme (TAMS), with grant-aid payable at 40%, being introduced under the new RDP.  EU Commission approval is awaited...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Hardship Grant Scheme Applications (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application was received from the herdowner concerned under the TB Hardship Grant Scheme (which applies in the period 1 November to 30 April) following the restriction of his holding on 13 November 2014 as a result of a lesion detected at slaughter plant level. This grant is payable in monthly tranches in arrears where the period of restriction exceeds two months (i.e. the initial...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The frequency and ferocity of storm events last winter, compounded by waterlogged soils on many forest sites, led to extensive damage on private and State owned forest lands. In order to establish the most appropriate response for forest owners and the forest industry a taskforce, chaired by Mr Tom Hayes TD, Minister of State, and comprising relevant forestry stakeholders was put in place to...