Results 24,341-24,360 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Operations (10 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Forces Intelligence Branch provides regular assessments, reports and briefings to the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Defence and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, relating to possible threats to the security of the State. Intelligence led liaison is conducted between Intelligence Branch and appropriate national authorities in other countries to counter any...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: By way of background, the unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990’s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly PricewaterHouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (10 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: In December 2014 a total of 12 Private Soldiers who had completed their initial recruit training in other Defence Forces locations were posted to Units located within Custume Barracks in order to maintain Unit strengths and operational capability. These 12 personnel are currently undergoing further 2 and 3 star training outside of Custume Bks. This training is due to be completed in March...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (10 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The overall establishment figure for Custume Barracks, Athlone is 995 personnel. This figure represents the total number of appointments associated with the units stationed in Custume Barracks. The current strength of Custume Barracks is 940. In addition to above, a number of personnel are attached to Custume Barracks while on courses of training, including recruit training. The current...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1stMay 2013 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that three of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. However, while...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Technology Adoption Programme Payments (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named participated in the 2014 Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) and 2014 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). In relation to his participation in the 2014 STAP scheme the Terms and Condition of the Scheme state: “applicants who are selling lambs directly for processing must apply for membership of the Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS)...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 23 April 2014. Following processing, full payment issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named, the first instalment issuing on 16 October 2014 and the balance issuing on 1 December 2014. Following the Reform of the CAP, changes were made to the payments under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. Since the introduction of the Russian ban on imports of EU pig products in January 2014, my Department has continually monitored the situation and continues to engage at EU level and with the Russian authorities on how the restrictions imposed could be lifted. This reflects the importance of the market to Ireland given that nearly...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Offices (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: In October 2013, sanction was received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to proceed with the extension to the existing Government Offices at Old Abbeyleix  Road, Portlaoise to facilitate the consolidation of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff. However, funding was not provided and, consequently, this project has not been advanced. The Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2014. Processing of this application has recently been completed with payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers Expenditure (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Local Authority harbours, piers and slipways are owned by the Local Authorities themselves and responsibility for their repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department, however provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The original PQ was answered on 29 January 2015, based on the information available to the LPIS Appeals Unit on that date. The inspection file relating to the person named, which confirmed the completion of the inspection, was not completed until after that date. The file is currently being processed and the person named has been contacted by an official of my Department to advise him...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Prosecutions have been taken under animal welfare legislation including the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 and 1965; the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 which I commenced in 2014 (and which replaced the aforementioned Protection of Animals Acts) and under related EU animal welfare legislation. In terms of cases initiated by and on behalf of my Department, there is in the order of thirty...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 substantially increased the penalties for cases of animal cruelty. Under the Act, on summary conviction a person can receive a fine of up to €10,000 and on indictment €250,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. There are fixed penalty payments for lesser offences. There are no plans to further increase the penalties.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named is 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 derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently submitted additional information to my Department which following review unfortunately...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Investigations (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: A large number of studies and investigations have been undertaken by various state agencies into the production problems affecting the farm of the person concerned between 2004 and 2009. The farm issues were investigated by my own Department’s Veterinary Laboratory Service with the assistance of Teagasc and subsequently by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted a 2014 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas scheme application on 14 May 2014. Payment has not issued to the person named as the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. An appeal was received in respect of this issue and the person named was informed of the outcome of the appeal in writing on 12 January 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Eligibility (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named participated in the Single Payment Scheme for each scheme year up to 2011. Having leased out his entitlements for the scheme years 2012 and 2013, he did not establish an automatic right to receive new entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme and was advised by my Department to transfer his entitlements permanently under the 2014 scheme year. The person named subsequently...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Appointments to State Boards (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: From November 2014 all appointments to State boards (including Bord Bia), are subject to revised arrangements established by Government, whereby the filling of all State board vacancies is assigned to the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Under the new Guidelines on Appointments to State Boardsestablished by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, State board vacancies (with a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff Data (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: There are currently 172 (162.39 in terms of full time equivalents) staff of my Department working in Government Buildings, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.