Results 34,261-34,280 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: To be honest, the Deputy is trying to find fault where there is none.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: Regarding the timing of this, it is a bit ridiculous to ask when will the appeals be finished when they actually have not come in yet. We must wait and see how many appeals come in before we decide.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: One cannot decide how long it will take to hear appeals until one knows with how many appeals one has to deal. Will the Deputy ask a rational question?
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I understand that more than half of the cases of derogations have been successful but I can get the exact figure for the Deputy later. It is imminently sensible that if one is going to write to 10,000 farmers to outline the rules for qualification for the disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS, then one would use that opportunity also to check where they are farming, under what schemes, and so on.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I do not believe farmers have a significant problem with ticking a box as to whether they are farming in a commonage area if they are successfully getting a derogation. The Deputy is trying to create an issue where there is none.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: The whole point of doing this is so we are not hitting the poorest and the weakest. While the Deputy gets up on his soapbox, trying to create an impression that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is only interested in commercial farming, the facts do not bear it out. When one looks at the prioritisation measures under the AEOS, farmers in NHA areas, less-favoured areas, those...
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: The Deputy does not want to hear the facts. We have focused our payments on small farmers in genuinely disadvantaged areas. It does not suit the Deputy's argument to look at the facts on what we have actually done and the choices we have had to make with the limited amount of money we have to spend. We have prioritised protecting the income of farmers in disadvantaged areas and, where...
- Other Questions: Forestry Sector (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55 and 60 together. The Deputy will get my official answer, so I will deal with what I suspect will be-----
- Other Questions: Forestry Sector (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I would like to give the Deputy added value if I could.
- Other Questions: Forestry Sector (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: Maybe the Deputy might try and put me under pressure with his questions rather than heckling. The Government has made a decision to look at the possibility of selling harvesting rights for Coillte forests. This autumn we are in a process of working with NewERA and the company to see how we might best do that in a way that would not damage the broader timber and forestry industry. This has...
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 54 and 61 together. The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme, DAS, was reduced from €220 million to €190 million. To make the necessary savings it was proposed to make technical adjustments to the scheme criteria to ensure the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in...
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: We will make savings, although we may not achieve the target of €30 million. If we do not achieve this target, we will have to examine the issue in the context of the budget.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: They all add up.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I have pointed out about three times that people will not have to wait an inordinate length of time for their cheques. Many of those who qualify for a derogation will receive cheques this week. It would be helpful if the Deputy were to at least accept the facts as I outline them. On the derogation, almost 9,500-----
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: They have applied for a derogation and if they qualify, they will receive a payment.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: Yes, if that is the case. I will provide the figures. Almost 9,500 applications were received, of which decisions have been made on-----
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: Some 9,500 farmers applied for a derogation.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: I do not have a precise figure on that.
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: Given that 9,500 people sought a derogation, that figure appears to be reasonably accurate. What is the Deputy's point?
- Other Questions: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility (25 Sep 2012)
Simon Coveney: A fundamental misunderstanding has arisen and it needs to be clarified because Deputy Ó Cuív is either deliberately trying not to understand the position or has not read the rules. Those who apply for a disadvantaged areas scheme payment do not automatically qualify for payment. Applications are usually rejected because the applicant did not meet the stocking rate requirements for...