Results 24,361-24,380 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person concerned is in receipt of a Defence Forces retirement pension from my Department, and I am advised that he getting his full statutory entitlements in that regard. His pension is liable to income tax and the universal social charge on the same basis as applies generally. These are statutory deductions from his pension based on specific instructions as issued periodically to my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff Data (5 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Defence Organisation includes civil servants, military personnel, and civilian employees attached to military installations. There are no employees of the Defence Organisation working out of the Government building specified by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person registered thirteen animals under the 2014 Beef Data Programme/Beef Genomics Scheme. Payment s under the 2014 Beef Data Programme will commence in June 2015 subject to verification of compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Programme. The application under the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme has been finalised and payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1stSeptember 2011 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2011, 2012 and 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...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes requires my Department to operate a Farm Advisory System (FAS) to provide advice to farmers on a range of issues relating to land and farm management. The regulations require that advisors are suitably qualified and regularly trained. In addition, in order to be approved as a GLAS Advisor, an advisor must also be an approved FAS advisor....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in July 2009 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process has now been completed and the 2014 75% payment...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Appeals (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 25 April 2012. One of the conditions of the above Scheme requires that any lands declared ‘be used and managed by the applicant’. As the person named confirmed to my Department , by phone call, on 25 October 2012 that he was not farming any of the land parcels declared,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Appeals (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from the 1stSeptember 2011 and payment has issued in respect of the 2011, 2012 and 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Overseas Missions (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the events of 28th January 2015, where a member of the Spanish Armed Forces who was serving in Sector East with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was killed near Ghajar on the border with Israel. I understand that the precise cause of the peacekeeper’s death remains undetermined. UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the facts and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (4 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service.Targeted recruitment has taken place so as to maintain the level of 9,500 personnel and to ensure the operational capacity of the Defence Forces. As the Permanent Defence Force is currently below the agreed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Assist Scheme Applications (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all of its customers, including people with disabilities, are met and the right to equal treatment is upheld in all dealings with the Department. The Department’s business spans a wide range of activities involving direct interaction with many customers. Every effort is made to ensure that we provide the highest level of service to all our...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare Expenditure (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The application for ex-gratia funding submitted by Kerry Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been approved and an amount of €7,200 was awarded to the organisation in December last. The organisation was informed of the allocation on 18thDecember 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (3 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. 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 completed before any payment can issue. These checks have...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the EU Regulations governing the Young Farmer Scheme and National Reserve, eligibility for payment is limited to farmers under 40 years of age who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting the Basic Payment Scheme application. These schemes are intended to provide financial assistance to young farmers during the period immediately...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The person named is one of a number, their derogation applications having been unsuccessful, who appealed my Department’s decision to the independently chaired, DAS Appeals Committee. Immediately that Committee has adjudicated on the appeal, the person named will be advised of the Committee’s decision, in writing.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2014. Processing of this application has recently been completed following receipt of the equine passports on 12 January 2015. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2014. Payment has not yet issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: The Appropriate Assessment in respect of the area referred to by the Deputy has assessed the potential ecological impacts of aquaculture and fisheries activities within the Galway Bay Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the Conservation Objectives of the site. The Appropriate Assessment has also assessed the potential impacts of these activities on the Special Conservation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: I propose to Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together. In my Department photographers are booked for the purpose of recording significant events such as the launch of schemes/programmes, new initiatives and visits by delegations from abroad. Where possible the Press Office uses in house photography and the number of occasions where photographers are booked has reduced substantially since 2011. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fisheries Protection (3 Feb 2015)

Simon Coveney: Lobster fishing is an important economic activity in coastal fishing communities all around Ireland. Stock advice is available online in the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review, prepared by the Marine Institute (MI) and an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). According to the 2012 Review, some 1,700 boats, approximately three quarters of the Irish fleet, participated in the fishery between April and...