Results 31,481-31,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered 13 animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment issued in respect of five animals on 19 December 2012. The pre-payment validation programme established that were errors associated with the remaining eight animals. My Department has recently issued letters to the person named seeking clarification of these errors. When a response is received from the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Genetically Modified Organisms (26 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The issue of genetic modification is dealt with by three State agencies in Ireland. In summary: -Issues relating to GM foods come under the remit of the Minister for Health and Children (DHC) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI); -GM feeds and the coexistence of authorised GM crops alongside non-GM crops rests with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM); while...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Policy (26 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Last week’s agreement by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on a General Approach to the Commission’s proposals for the reform of the CAP included additional flexibility for Member States to implement alternative models for the internal distribution of direct payments. Included in these alternative models were the Irish ‘partial convergence’ approach - which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Public Sector Remuneration (26 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The details of the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of the eight non commercial State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department for 2012 are outlined in the table below. The details of salaries for the staff of these State Agencies are a matter for the Agencies themselves. Non-Commercial Body/Agency Salary Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board This Board does not have a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Expenditure (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The 2010 SPS payment database, which my Department has used to model various CAP reform proposals, shows the following distribution by farm size: - Less than 15 ha 15 to 25 ha 25 to 32 ha 32 to 50 ha 50 to 100 ha Over 100 ha Total Number of Farmers 27,963 25,947 14,554 27,164 22,046 5,406 123,080

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Based on additional information supplied by the above named person that the area under his plantation is enclosed and improved, the Forest Service has re-examined this case. As a result, it has been decided that the classification of the plantation will be restored to GPC3 or enclosed land. On this basis, recoupment of the overpayment will be based on the area now determined as correct and in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €794.42 in respect of 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2008 and received payments for the first four 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. These checks have now been completed for 2012 in this case...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office received the appeal from the person named on 25 February 2013. Upon receipt of the Department file, the appeal will be assigned to an Appeals Officer who will be in contact with the person named before making a decision in this case. It is not anticipated that there will be any undue delay in dealing with this appeal.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sale of State Assets (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be put forward for sale, the National Treasury Management Agency, via its NewERA Unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction. Substantial work...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Hygiene Scheme Payments (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Payments in respect of the 2012 Dairy Efficiency Programme commenced issuing on 15 March 2013; payment to the person named issued on that date, directly to the nominated bank account.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently uses 076 numbers from a block of numbers obtained from Comreg by the Centre for Management and Organisation Management (CMOD) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, for use by public bodies. These numbers are used for all new requirements which would have traditionally been serviced using “Lo-Call 1890” type numbers. An upgrade of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department currently uses integrated voice response systems in a limited number of circumstances as appropriate. In the majority of offices calls are handled directly by locally-based staff, or are redirected as appropriate to staff at other locations. Staff are normally assigned to telephony duties on a rota basis, in parallel with their other administrative duties. The ability to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department provides a range of ICT services to a number of agencies including other Government Departments, non-commercial semi-state bodies, as part of agreed shared service arrangements. Among the telephony-based shared services delivered are the provision of a call centre IT helpdesk for the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and a helpdesk in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Presidential Reports (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: My Department received a copy of this report and it will be given due consideration.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,333.32 in respect of 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The primary focus of the discussions at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels on the 18th and 19th March was on the CAP Reform package. The deputy will be aware that, on the basis of compromise texts tabled by the Irish Presidency, the Council successfully adopted a General Approach on CAP Reform by a strong qualified majority. This has been achieved against a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (21 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: Responsibility for the designation of Natura 2000 sites, including Hen Harrier habitats, and all associated issues lies within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I will bring this submission to his attention.

Order of Business (20 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: The landlord and tenant Bill will be published before the end of the year. The land and conveyancing Bill was approved last week.

Order of Business (20 Mar 2013)

Simon Coveney: My understanding is that the Minister concerned does not yet have the report. When he does, he will give a copy to the family first before bringing it to the Cabinet. He does not have a finalised copy of the report.