Results 34,561-34,580 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Agriculture Scheme Payments: Agriculture Scheme Payments (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is only readily available on a calendar year basis. Accordingly, the following table sets out the schemes and total amount paid under each to some 3,823 farmers with addresses in Co Meath in respect of the year 2011: Scheme Description Total Paid Arable Aid €14,176.30 Agri-Environment Options Scheme €350,243.46 General Disease Control & Eradication...

Written Answers — Ministerial Allowances: Ministerial Allowances (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: No allowances which are subject to income tax are available to me or to the Minister of State in my Department.

Written Answers — Tuberculosis Incidence: Tuberculosis Incidence (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 673 together. In general, cattle may only be moved under a movement permit issued by my Department from a TB restricted herd direct to a slaughter plant. However, a movement permit may be issued, in exceptional cases, for the movement of non-infected cattle to another pre-identified and assessed holding where there are sound animal welfare reasons for...

Written Answers — Suckler Welfare Scheme: Suckler Welfare Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named applied for the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme on 2 March 2012 as a new entrant. However, the person named had beef breed animals born in his herd in 2011 and, therefore, should have applied for the Scheme in 2011. The application for 2012 was deemed ineligible and the person named was notified of the position in a letter dated 18th May 2012. The person named sought a review of...

Written Answers — . ^^ Suckler Welfare Scheme. ^^ Suckler Welfare Scheme: . ^^ Suckler Welfare Scheme. ^^ Suckler Welfare Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Animal Welfare Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds, commonly referred to as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, is a five year Scheme for beef breed animals born during the years 2008 to 2012 and is fully funded until then. Budgetary decisions regarding all schemes are subject to ongoing review and will feature as part of the Estimates process which will take place in second half of...

Written Answers — Harvest 2020: Harvest 2020 (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The tax changes in Budget 2012 encourage partnership formation and incentivise inter-generational land transfer. I believe they will be of real benefit to young farmers and towards developing the sector and the economy generally. One of the most significant new measures introduced in Budget 2012 was the new stock relief incentive to encourage farm partnerships. Subject to EU State Aid...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: My commitment to agri-environmental schemes are evident in the funding of €243m which has been provided to meet commitments under Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) in 2012. The commitment is also clear from the fact that despite serious budgetary pressures, I re-opened the AEOS to new entrants last year. Strict budgetary constraints...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The application referred to, which was received by my Department in March of this year, is in respect of a site located within Sheephaven Bay, Co Donegal which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site). All applications in 'Natura' areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: At present there are 618 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination. The large number of licence applications awaiting determination largely arises because the majority of areas for which aquaculture licences are sought are located in Natura areas. All applications in 'Natura 2000 areas' are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to reforming the public service to achieve greater efficiencies in the delivery of services. The 'Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014' aims to create a smaller and more integrated public service and requires all public service organisations to do more with less. New structures are envisaged to facilitate greater staff mobility and to promote sharing of services....

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that I have sought the approval of the EU Commissioner to allow the payment of a 50% advance of the Single Payment with effect from 16 October, the earliest payment date possible, it being the first day of the new EU financial year. I understand that a number of other Member States have also made similar requests. I am both particularly mindful of the importance of the Single...

Written Answers — Pork Exports: Pork Exports (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: The pigmeat sector in Ireland has remained resilient in recent years in the face of considerable difficulties. Production increased by over 17% between 2008 and 2011. The sector remains the third largest individual component of the agrifood industry and supports approximately 7,000 jobs, many of which are in rural communities. Production, prices and exports increased significantly in 2011,...

Written Answers — Pigmeat Sector: Pigmeat Sector (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together. The pig sector accounts for approximately 6% of the overall agrifood industry and is the third largest individual component of the agrifood sector. Output, prices and exports have continued the growth of recent years to date in 2012. The 'Food Harvest 2020 Report ', published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are Four State Bodies under the aegis of my Department which have the power to enter premises. Sea Fisheries Protection Agency Veterinary Council of Ireland Horse Racing Ireland Bord na gCon Sections 17 and 17a of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2007, set down the powers of Sea Fisheries Protection Officers of the...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: Since March 2011 vacancies on the Boards of the State Bodies that fall under my Department's remit are listed on my Department's website and expressions of interest sought. In the case of a number of bodies, the board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion and, instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by me by various organisations as specified in the...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have appointed chairpersons to three State Bodies under the aegis of my Department since March 2011. The three State Bodies are - An Bord Bia -Bord Iascaigh Mhara -Bord na gCon The Chairs appointed have yet to be called before the relevant Oireachtas committee but are aware of this requirement.

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (12 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 14th of April 2010. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance/Ground Eligibility inspection. During the course of the Cross Compliance inspection breaches were recorded relating to a bovine herd register, bovine passport, incomplete flock register and missing sheep...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (12 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am fully aware of the impact of the very difficult weather conditions of recent weeks on farmers and of the potential impact on farm incomes. I have sought EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. If approved, this will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent early payment of substantial funding to farmers. The submission has...

Written Answers — Ferry Services: Ferry Services (12 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: All matters associated with the operation of the cable car to Dursey Island are the responsibility of Cork County Council. Cork County Council engaged consulting engineers to carry out studies on the cable following which the transportation of all animals by cable car to and from Dursey Island ceased from 30th January 2012. I have no plans to provide financial assistance for the transport...

Written Answers — Severe Weather Events: Severe Weather Events (12 Jul 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am fully aware of the impact of the very difficult weather conditions of recent weeks on farmers and of the potential impact on farm incomes. I have sought EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. If approved, this will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent early payment of substantial funding to farmers. The submission has...