Results 22,921-22,940 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reorganisation (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: A range of savings measures that were introduced in the years immediately following the onset of the economic downturn in 2008 led to a reduction in the strength of the Permanent Defence Force. Following a comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500 personnel. At this strength level,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve Strength (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In line with one of the recommendations of the VFM Review which provided for retention of a reorganised Reserve with a strength of approximately 4,000 personnel,the establishment of the Army and Naval Service Reserve is 4,069, comprising of 3,869 Army Reservists and 200 Naval Service Reservists. There is no specified strength level for the First Line Reserve. The effective strength of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Recruitment (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel, and civilian employees attached to military installations. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is an independent body established under the Public Service Management Act 2004 for the purpose of providing recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service. My Department did not recruit any civil servants...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Redeployment (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: It has not been possible to compile the necessary information requested by the Deputy. The information will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Retirements (26 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel, and civilian employees attached to military installations. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is providing the data on numbers of civil servants who retired in 2014, as sought by the Deputy.  In relation to former civilian employees attached to military installations and former members of the Permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Expenditure (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has had extended correspondence with the person referred to by the deputy in relation to this matter and has explained the position to him on many occasions. In addition, HRI and the Turf Club have confirmed to my Department that they have fully examined all matters under their remit in respect of this issue, and that they have apprised the person concerned of the outcome. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Eligibility (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named, although a participant in the 2014 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme was not included in a return (Form STAP3) by his discussion group facilitator indicating compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme. Accordingly, he was not considered for payment. To date no appeal has been received in this matter. Furthermore the medical evidence mentioned has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 18 April 2013. Payment has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. The person named was informed of this decision in writing on 30 January 2014 and advised of the option to appeal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (19 May 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 and was refused for derogation in this regard. The person named was notified of the outcome in writing and advised of the option to appeal to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Officials in my Department have examined the case of 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of the person named. As the parcel in question was afforested in 2014 and has been deemed eligible for aid under the Afforestation Scheme it can be considered as eligible land under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme. My Department is now arranging to update the 2014 Single Payment Scheme application of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Penalties (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2013 and payments issued on 16 October 2013, 2 December 2013 and 30 September 2014 respectively under the Single Farm Payment Scheme and a payment issued on 27 September 2013 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Commonage Land (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department is carrying out a review of the findings of the inspection of the commonage parcel in question. On completion of this review, direct contact will be made with all of the claimants involved advising them of the outcome of this review.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Inspections Reports (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and other area-based schemes requires my Department to carry out on-the-spot checks on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the schemes and compliance with Cross Compliance requirements, as set down in EU legislation, and the standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). These inspections are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishery Harbour Centres (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Pursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs. Charges for the use of facilities and services at each of the Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In line with normal practice, the person concerned was asked in December 2014, through the local State Solicitor to whom he had submitted his initial claim, to provide a breakdown of the fees claimed along with supporting documentation. My Department has not received the requested material to date. On receipt of this, the matter can be progressed.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application for a herd number from the person concerned was received on 25 March. The application is currently being processed by the Regional Veterinary Office of my Department and will be finalised as soon as possible. I should clarify that, where an applicant under the National Reserve priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ had not been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application in respect of the person concerned was received on 4 March. The application is currently being processed by the Regional Veterinary Office of my Department and will be finalised as quickly as possible. As the Deputy is aware, there has been a considerable increase in activity in this area and, to date this year, my Department’s Regional Offices have processed over...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Data (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with EU legislation (Regulation EU No: 1306/13) the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is obliged to ensure annual ex-post publication of all of the beneficiaries of CAP funding - both legal and non-legal persons. In accordance with the regulation the Department must, by the 31 May 2015, publish: The name of the beneficiary (unless the amount of payment under CAP...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Data (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: At present there are 625 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination, of which 530 have been waiting for a period of over 12 months. The number of licences issued in each of the past four years is as follows: Year No. 2011 6 2012 16 2013 108 2014 94 The majority of areas in which aquaculture licence determinations are pending are designated as Special Areas of Conservation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Direct Payment Scheme Applications (19 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: I have arranged for my Department to carry out a field verification check on the land in question to establish its eligibility for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes. The person named will be informed of the findings of the verification check immediately following the completion of the visit.