Results 23,141-23,160 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS, was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gárdaí. Payments to applicants under...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Milk Quota (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The entire super levy liability incurred by milk producers in Ireland for the 2014/2015 milk quota year, estimated to amount to €69 million, must be paid by Member States to the Commission before the end of November 2015. However, under new arrangements, the Commission will allow Member States to facilitate the payment by milk producers of this super levy liability in three annual...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Super levy liabilities which are incurred by member states are paid to the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund (EAGF). The EAGF primarily finances direct payments to farmers and measures regulating or supporting agricultural markets. Super levy liabilities paid into the fund are not ring fenced for use in specifically supporting the dairy sector, but are taken into account as assigned...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the crucial role which the industry plays in supporting approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. In 2014 export volumes increased by approximately 7%, with growth to the UK, Continental Europe and International markets. Export values increased by some 3% and are in the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: All applicants under the Basic Payment Scheme, the Greening Payment and other area based schemes are obliged to comply with the EU Regulatory requirements on land eligibility. In order to benefit from payment under the Direct Payment Schemes the land must be eligible and must be maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation. The Wildlife Acts prohibit the burning of growing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The provisions of Article 32 (2) (b) (i) of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council are clear in that they cover areas, which are no longer eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme, of Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and the Water Framework Directive. I have, however, arranged for my officials to raise the issue...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The new pro-rata system and the use of the Reduction Coefficient applying to land parcels with scattered scrub are fully explained in the Land Eligibility booklet, which is being issued to all farmers. In essence, the assessment will be undertaken at parcel level following the exclusion of all areas, which are fully ineligible. The creation of new reference areas for a significant number...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Applications (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Within the last week the number of applications registered on the GLAS online system has increased by over 3,700 applications and the number of applications registered with actions has increased by over 3,500 applications. Both these figures are increasing daily. The ‘submit’ facility was activated this morning on the GLAS on-line system and as of mid-day today 31 applications...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The EU Commission in its letter dated 14 May 2014, proposed a 2% flat rate financial correction for Ireland of €181.5 million arising from its Conformity Clearance audits in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The payments audited covered the period from 2008 to 2012 during which over €9 billion was paid to farmers in Ireland under the Direct Payment Schemes. I have always been opposed to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health, Safety and Welfare at work, and my Department is fully supportive of their work and assisting in the promotion of safe farming practices. The introduction of a safe pass certificate system for farmers would be the responsibility of the HSA rather than the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. However, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Herd Numbers (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has made special arrangements to ensure that the non-issue of a herd number by the relevant scheme closing date will not impact negatively on applicants under the Basic Payments Scheme. Where an applicant under the National Reserve priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ had not been issued a herd number or added to a herd number by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Applications (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 25 April 2014. 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 to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Proposed Legislation (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: An amendment is proposed to the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 in order to address a number of issues. Firstly it is required under the Fisheries Control Regulation (EU) 1224/2009 to implement a points system for skippers of fishing vessels found to have committed serious fishery infringements. Secondly it is intended to introduce a system of Fixed Penalty Notices for minor...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Applications under phase 2 of the National Reserve for the group commonly referred to as ‘Old Young Farmers’ opened on 1 April 2015. This measure will cater for farmers who established their holdings in 2008 or 2009, who comply with the definition of young farmer for the purposes of the National Reserve ‘young farmer’ priority category, but who missed out on both...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The following table sets out the number of increments paid to the staff in my Department for the years 2008-2015: YEAR Number of Increments 2008 1706 2009 1685 2010 1578 2011 1246 2012 1086 2013 958 2014 694 Jan-Apr 2015 Inclusive 223 The awarding of an increment is dependent on satisfactory performance by the staff member. It is not feasible to provide the costs...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (7 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: The number of personnel who left the Defence Forces in the period 1stJanuary 2013 to 1stMay 2015 was 1,125. A detailed breakdown of these personnel by rank is contained in the table below. Defence Forces Discharges by Rank,1 January 2013 to 1 May 2015 Rank 2013 2014 2015 Total Lieutenant General 1 0 0 1 Brigadier General 1 2 0 3 Colonel 3 8 2 13 Lieutenant Colonel...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

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

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (6 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: Balrath Forest is a forest property owned by Coillte.  Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest properties, are the responsibility of the company.  Coillte has advised, however, that the company applies the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles in its...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (6 May 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 a request for a review from the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. The finding of the ground verification check...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Administration (6 May 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department has been in correspondence with the above named person to advise and assist in relation to the requirements for transferring of schemes in which the deceased herd owner participated and also transferring entitlements held by the deceased person. In order to transfer entitlements from the deceased herd owner to the rightful beneficiary, it is necessary for the rightful...