Results 19,081-19,100 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Severe Weather Events (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the difficulties that have been created for many forest owners as a result of the storms of 2014. The frequency and ferocity of these storm events, compounded by waterlogged soils on many forest sites, led to extensive damage on both private and State owned forest lands. While estimates indicate that less than 1% of the national forest area (approximately 8,000 hectares) has...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that this matter relates to two horses that were withdrawn from races ‘not fit to run’ as reported in the Irish Field in June 2015. The Turf Club have advised that in the case of one horse there was evidence of skin disease and soreness and in the case of the other animal there was also an issue with soreness. My Department has authorised the Turf Club...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department operates an animal welfare helpline (telephone number 076 1064408). Animal cruelty reports are investigated by authorised officers of my Department and by authorised officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA. An Garda Siochana may also be involved in these investigations where this is considered necessary or desirable. Where there is sufficient evidence, cases are prosecuted by my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, established under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. In accordance with the Act, 80% and 20% of the monies paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland(HRI) and Bord na gCon, respectively. The amounts provided under this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 29 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme Funding (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 to 327, inclusive, together. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is the Managing Authority for Ireland’s RDP. The Programme is co-funded by the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the national exchequer. EU support for the RDP via the EAFRD will average €313 million annually, or an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is currently grant aid available for Horse Stocks in the TAMS II Scheme but no grant aid is available for roofing sand arenas for horses and I have no plans to introduce such a measure.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: A review of the lands declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. In order to clarify the position regarding the area of any ineligible features my Department arranged for a ground verification check to be undertaken. This check confirmed the 2013 area over-declaration as 90.26% in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. A follow-up field inspection to determine the eligibility of commonage land s declared identified ineligible lands/features resulting in discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined. As the over-declaration in area was greater than...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. A follow-up field inspection to determine the eligibility of commonage lands declared identified ineligible lands/features resulting in discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined. As the over-declaration in area was greater than...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legal Matters (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The former DAFM official retired from my Department during 2006. The issues raised by this former official date back over some 20 years or more and were the subject of High Court action commenced in 2006. These proceedings were struck out in 2013 due to the lengthy delay in initiating proceeding and failure to abide by Court deadlines. Under these circumstances I do not intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The above applicant applied on fifty three animals under the 2012 Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. The applicant was paid on twenty three animals on the 18 April 2012 and fifteen animals on the 29 April 2013. There was one animal with a weaning error and, therefore, was not eligible for payment. My Department has completed the processing of the other fourteen animals and confirmed that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: There is grant aid available under the TAMS II schemes for the replacement of damaged slats in slatted cattle units and for the removal of existing internal agitation points and replacement by gang slats. All of the TAMS II schemes are now open for online applications.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The application by the person in question under the afforestation scheme was refused on the grounds that the proposed area consists of predominantly GPC1 (unenclosed) quality land and is incompatible with the requirements of the scheme and environmental protection at the location in question. The applicant was notified of his right to appeal this decision.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Appeals (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that an appeal was received from the person named on 15 September 2015. The file and a statement on the appeal have been received from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer. The Appeals Officer will be in direct contact with the person named regarding the appeal and a decision...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The plantation in question was planted in April 2008 and the sixth annual forestry premium was paid to the applicant in April 2013. The second instalment of the establishment grant, which can be claimed four years after completion of the plantation once the Department is satisfied that the plantation has been properly established. It is Department policy not to pay beyond the sixth premium...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Bodies (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: A request by BIM for an increase in staff resources is currently being considered by my Department. In addition my Department is in discussion with BIM in relation to delegated sanction under the Pay and Staffing Policy for the Department and its agencies. It is expected that these discussions will be concluded shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Programme (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme Knowledge Transfer groups across a range of sectors, including beef, dairy and sheep, will be established. The design of the measure has been informed by experience from previous discussion groups, extensive stakeholder consultation and the relevant articles from the respective EU regulations. Participants are required to attend Knowledge...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Applications (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named has submitted application under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme. Processing of applications is underway which involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application. These checks are required under EU Regulation. In cases where additional information is required my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Applications (29 Sep 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payments/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2015. Processing of which has recently been finalised. Payment will issue shortly directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.