Results 23,801-23,820 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Organic Farming (10 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Employment Data (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I noted the Central Statistics Office release of the Quarterly National Household Survey for Q4, 2014, on 25 February. My Department monitors these official figures for employment in the sector as a matter of course. I especially noted the statement therein, to which the Deputy refers, that employment in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries dropped by 10,900 or 9.3% since Q4 2013. I would...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the operational programme under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation (508/2014) which is the financial regulation for the Common Fisheries Policy. I will be launching later this year a new €241 million Seafood Development Programme for the period up to 2020 under the EMFF. The new Programme will provide a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Fisheries Policy (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the strategic environmental assessment for the new Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation (508/2014). I will be launching later this year a new €241 million Seafood Development Programme for the period up to 2020 under the EMFF. The new Programme will provide a range of supports for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department received a 2014 Transfer of Entitlements application form on 14 May 2014 requesting the transfer by way of inheritance of 43.02 Single Payment entitlements from the deceased person named to the second person named. As this transfer was by way of inheritance, it was necessary to request testamentary documentation in support of this transfer. My Department has requested the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme years. 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: TAMS Administration (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme for the 2014-2020 period which was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in July 2014, includes provision for a range of on-farm investment schemes. Investments in farm buildings in general have been identified as an area which will be targeted in the TAMS scheme with grant aid for dairy buildings being specifically available for qualifying young farmers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Eligibility (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with relevant EU Regulations, to be eligible under the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reserve an applicant must meet the following conditions: - S/he is participating in the Basic Payment Scheme in the year in which s/he submits an application; - S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age at any time during the calendar year in which s/he first submits an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Currency Exchange (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Rather than the Chinese currency devaluing against the euro, in fact the euro has devalued against the Chinese yuan over the last year. The current rate of the euro against the Chinese currency is around 1 euro equal to 6.80 Chinese yuan renminbi, a 22% reduction compared to the highest rate in recent years of almost 8.69 yuan renminbi in May 2014. The euro’s exchange rate with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Applications (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 24 March 2014. Following processing of this application issues relating to the verification of compliance with the minimum stocking density were identified. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named regarding this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: 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 growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: 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 growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes and maintaining an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Parcel Identification System (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: In excess of €1.5 billion is paid annually to approximately 130,000 farmers in Ireland under the EU funded or partially funded Direct Payments and Agri-Environment Schemes. Under the governing EU Regulations, all applications must be subjected to verification checks to ensure their accuracy and their adherence to the requirements of the EU Regulations. The Land Parcel Identification...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: EU Directives (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Applicants under the Direct Payment Schemes, including the Basic Payment Scheme, are required to comply with the provisions of the EU legislation giving rise to these payments. All applicants are required to comply at all times with the provisions provided for under Cross Compliance for each Statutory Management Requirement, including the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. Applicants are also...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3 ) with effect from 1 May 2013. During the processing of this person’s non-productive capital investment claim an issue arose, which has now been resolved. The claim is now being examined in the context of the various other checks required under the EU Regulations, including...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, along with my colleague, Minister of State Tom Hayes T.D., Minister for Forestry, has recently published a report titled, “Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action” and they have announced membership of a Deer Management Forum. This report lists a number of recommendations which will be examined by the Deer...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are benefits accruing to young farmers in partnerships under both Pillar I and Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy. With regard to Pillar I the following is relevant: Pillar I In accordance with relevant EU Regulations to be eligible under the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme an applicant must meet the following conditions: -...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Applications (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The assessment process takes full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and reflects the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of each application. I can see no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Applications (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: Marine Harvest Ireland submitted an application to my Department for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish at Shot Head, Bantry Bay in June 2011. Since then the Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division of my Department has met with the company on 15 occasions. These meetings are part of a long-standing and ongoing series of co-ordination meetings held to discuss general...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (10 Mar 2015)

Simon Coveney: As advised in the previous replies, from time to time I receive allegations or such allegations are sent to the Department in relation to illegal fishing activity. In every instance, these allegations are sent to either the SFPA and/or An Garda Síochána, as appropriate, for investigation. This is the only instruction and/or advice given in respect of any such allegation. In respect...