Results 1,781-1,800 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Registration of Title: Registration of Title (29 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: My Department is in ongoing contact with the Property Registration Authority to resolve the problem. Some of the documentation in question has already been provided and the remainder is in the process of being drawn up and will be completed shortly.

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (29 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: In relation to young farmers, a number of farm tax measures were renewed in Budget 2009. These are part of a number of schemes and reliefs that have been put in place in recent years to bring about improvements in land mobility that will, in turn, improve productivity and efficiency, particularly for young farmers. These reliefs include the renewal of stamp duty relief for four years until 31...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (29 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The number of payees for the past three years under the Installation Aid Scheme is set out in the table. Year 2006 2007 2008 (to date) Payees 615 603 616 941 applications for grant-aid were received by my Department under the most recent version of the Installation Aid Scheme, the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme, prior to its suspension for new applications on 14 October 2008. Of...

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (29 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Following peer reviewed research studies that demonstrate that the culling of infected badgers leads to a significant reduction in the incidence of TB in the cattle population, it is now recognized that the pre-eminent constraint to eradication of TB in Ireland is the existence of a significant reservoir of infection in wildlife, notably the badger. The published results of, firstly, the East...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Data from the CSO's Farm Structures Survey 2005 estimated that 8% of farm holders were under the age of 35. This figure is in line with the EU average and reflects the broad range of incentives in place to encourage the early transfer of family farms. These incentives include extensive tax reliefs that allow for family farms to be transferred without incurring stamp duty, capital gains tax...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: We are not robbing Peter to pay Paul. Resources available to the Department are being allocated. Next year, in excess of €9 million will be paid out in new installation aid scheme approvals. Those are applications that are in hand at present and will be processed and approved in 2009. Up to €48 million will be paid out under the early retirement scheme. The position is that both...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The decision to suspend both schemes to new applicants was due to budgetary constraints. I have already indicated that those people who have had their completed applications with the Department — there are approximately 600 — will be processed. When they meet the necessary criteria and are approved, funding is in place——

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I have outlined clearly that both schemes are suspended for new applicants. The limiting of the suspension of the schemes will be considered at the earliest opportunity but with regard to the current budgetary constraints. In 2009 in excess of €9 million will be allocated and approved for the young farmer installation aid scheme and €48 million will be paid out in the early retirement...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The last question was relevant. If the Deputy wants to dismiss——

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Against the background of the deterioration in public finances, my approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for the Department was to focus available resources on the measures that allow us to maintain and grow the productive capacity of the agrifood sector. There has been a high level of investment in developing this sector in recent years, with the commitment of significant financial...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Like Deputy Sherlock, I have spoken to people who were in the process of preparing their applications, whether under the early retirement scheme or the young farmers' installation scheme, and I know of the disappointment and the break in planning for handing on the farm to the next generation that results. There is never an easy time to suspend or, as has happened in the past, to abolish...

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I do not accept Deputy Sherlock's contention. I can empathise fully——

Farm Retirement and Installation Aid Schemes. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I have spoken to as many people as Deputy Sherlock who are disappointed that the scheme has been suspended for the present. In the past, when the Deputy's own party was in Government, a scheme was suspended even for those whose applications were with the Department. In this scheme, only entry for new applicants has been suspended, and all applicants who have submitted their completed...

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The 2009 Estimates provide over €1.8 billion for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, when combined with EU funding of €1.4 billion, that means that total expenditure in 2009 by the Department will amount to over €3.2 billion. While difficult decisions had to be taken in light of the situation of the public finances, account also had to be taken of the very high level...

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I dismiss Deputy Creed's suggestion that the budget is a discussion document.

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Creed might listen for a change. He misquoted Deputy Máire Hoctor, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children. The Minister of State did not say any such thing at the meeting with the ICSA.

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: I checked it with the Minister of State and she gave me the accurate report. She outlined clearly to a spokesperson for the ICSA that of all the contributions she had heard in the room, nobody had suggested alternatives in terms of how funding could be transferred from one subhead to another. The Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, has been misrepresented, as the Deputy has done just now....

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: When somebody is misrepresented in the House, I want to correct it. I stated here that we had to make difficult decisions. This Department did not take a bigger hit than any other Department.

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: The reality is not what the Deputy tried to portray. If one takes into account a Supplementary Estimate on the capital side that was extremely high — €195 million——

Agriculture Sector. (30 Oct 2008)

Brendan Smith: Yes, I have enough.