Results 17,241-17,260 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Administration (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The process implemented by my Department to register consultants and advisors to file Plans under the GLAS Scheme for farmers ensures that the persons, who apply for registration, have the appropriate qualifications, have undertaken the required training and have been authorised by the farmer clients to act on their behalf. In order to be registered as GLAS Planner, a person must satisfy the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 is broken down into 5 Axes. The first axis addresses Competitiveness in Agriculture and has spent a total of €362m up to the end of 2014. Axis 2 of the RDP addresses Environment and Land Management objectives. This axis includes measures such as REPS, AEOS, Less Favoured Areas etc. The spend on these measures totals €3,590m until...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Funding (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Local Authorities harbours, piers and slipways are owned by the Local Authorities themselves and responsibility for their repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department, however provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Freedom of Information Requests (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As provided for in Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, my Department has delegated decision making functions to civil servants of grades not lower than Higher Executive Officer (and other equivalent grades). Internal review decision making functions are delegated to grades not lower than Assistant Principal Officer (and other equivalent grades). The internal review decision maker...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and has received payments for the entire six years of their contract. The REPS 4 contract is now complete and there are no further payments to be made.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Mar 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 full entitlements have 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: GLAS is an agri-environment climate measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Its aim is to deliver environmental benefits which will protect and enhance our biodiversity and water quality and which will raise awareness of and encourage actions which mitigate the effects of climate change. The scheme as now presented contains actions which will deliver the expected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1stSeptember 2011. A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Disease Controls (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: On-farm routine hygiene protocols such as regular cleaning of water troughs is only one element of farm bio security that merits attention by every livestock farmer in the country and, in this regard, my Department provides information on its website regarding Tuberculosis disease eradication policy which outlines the importance of providing drinking water for cattle from a clean source. This...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming Scheme Data (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the Rural Development Programme I have proposed the introduction of a new Organic Farming Scheme to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food. The principal support will be an annual area-based payment per hectare over a 5 year contract period. This rate is comprised of a higher...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Administration (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the importance of the role of Agricultural Advisors in terms of GLAS. Their professional expertise and experience are vital to the preparation of reliable GLAS applications that fully comply with regulatory and scheme requirements. That is why I have made it mandatory for all GLAS applications to be submitted by an approved GLAS Advisor. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following an appeal from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The person named was notified of the outcome of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The following tabular statement outlines the number of farmers, whose payments under the 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Area Scheme, were subjected to deductions and sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the governing EU Regulations and the total value of the deductions. County 2014 Single Payment Scheme Amount Deducted € 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (24 Mar 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: Direct Payment Scheme (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have listened carefully to all of the issues raised regarding the farming of these lands in Ireland. I accept that the farming of uplands in Ireland is difficult for those farmers directly involved in these regions. However, as over €1.5 billion is paid annually to farmers in Ireland under the Direct Payment Schemes, there is a need to ensure that the provisions in the governing EU...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: In order to be eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held. Applicants under the Direct Payment Schemes and other area based schemes are obliged to carry out an agricultural activity on the land declared for aid. The governing EU regulations define an agricultural activity as the production, rearing or...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme application of the person named has recently been finalised. Payment is expected to issue in the coming days to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2009 Single Farm payment scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2009 declaring a total of 14.79 hectares. Following a Ground Inspection a number of over-declarations were identified which were greater than 50% of the area determined. This resulted in no payment being made for 2009, the person named lodged an appeal and the decision of the Agriculture...