Results 35,181-35,200 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ external public relations companies. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department's Press Office.

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The felling licence granted to Coillte for the site in question is accessible to the public. My Department issued this felling licence to Coillte, following a referral to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Meath County Council, and having duly considered the matter. The licence was issued with appropriate conditions to which Coillte adhered. Coillte was...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: An Assistant Secretary General was re-engaged by my Department on a part-time contract basis since retiring under the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement in October 2010. Sanction for this contract was received from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The cost to my Department to date is €120,860.63. This contract is due to expire in October 2012. A Laboratory Analyst...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The accompanying tables set out the amount of money paid out on a county by county basis in 2011 for AEOS when scheme payments commenced and in 2009, 2010 and 2011 scheme years in respect of REPS. AEOS County Amount Paid in 2011€ CarlowCavanClareCorkDonegalDublinGalwayKerryKildareKilkennyL aoisLeitrimLimerickLongfordLouthMayoMeathMonaghanOffalyRosco...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Operational matters such as this are properly the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority and not the Minister. I am advised by Teagasc that this matter is being dealt with locally by the Principal of the College in question and that he has met with the parties involved and agreed that future student skills practical training will be done following prior consultation with local contractors.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been informed in writing that he was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I can confirm that the same provisions govern my Department's assessment of whether applicants under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, and Agri-Environment Schemes such as REPS and AEOS are operating separate holdings. The factors that are taken into account when examining whether an applicant under one or more of the above-mentioned Schemes is operating a separate...

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (8 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department has not had any contracts with the named companies. Contracts between the State Bodies under my Department's aegis and these particular companies would be an operational matter for the bodies themselves.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in August 2008 and received payments for the first three 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. Administrative checks in respect of 2011 have now been...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The period of payment under the afforestation schemes is 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers with a higher rate of premium payable to farmers. Eligibility for the different rates is determined by the applicant's farming status at the time of application. The appeal by the person named was received within the past fortnight and is being prepared for submission to the Appeals...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: There were 23,692 active participants in REPS 3 in January 2011. By the end of April 2011, 4,274 had completed their 5 year REPS contract. Those farmers who had exited REPS before 15 May 2011, including those referred to above, and who submitted a valid application were admitted into the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS). The remaining 19,418 farmers that exited REPS 3 during the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am actively considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme to allow for the submission of applications either on an amended basis from the existing scheme and/or on a limited scale. Any decision on a new AEOS will be taken in the context of 2013 Estimate in order to remain within the agreed expenditure ceiling for 2013. I will be examining the possibility...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 has an overall value of €4.9 billion over a 7-year period of which €2.5 billion will be funded by the EU and €2.4 billion by the National Exchequer. Current expenditure under the Programme amounts to close on €3.2 billion, being 65% of its total value. While the Programme ends in 2013, spending may continue under certain schemes until the...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently undertaking a review of the Commonage Framework Plans. My Department is co-operating with the review which will revise permitted stocking levels based on the current condition of commonages. It is expected that the review will be completed by end of June. The revised stocking levels will form the basis of future sustainable...

Written Answers — Beef Exports: Beef Exports (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Deputy is no doubt aware that I announced last week that I understood that the Libyan authorities were about to lift their 16 year ban on the importation of beef from Ireland and other EU countries. In common with Agriculture Ministries from other Member States, I and my Department are now awaiting official confirmation from the Libyan authorities of the lifting of the ban. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that concerns have been raised with regard to welfare issues and sheep EID tagging and that the matter has been discussed by my officials with a number of farming organisations. The Deputy will also know that it is a matter I addressed in a statement recently. The Deputy should be aware that some 100 million sheep in the EU are all identified under the tagging regulation...

Written Answers — Calafoirt agus Céanna: Calafoirt agus Céanna (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Glacaim leis go bhfuil do cheist ag tagairt do pháirceáil ag Ionad Cuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl do mhuintir Árann. Ní mór do mo Roinnse gach Ionad Cuan Iascaigh a stiúradh ar bhealach seasmhach airgeadais agus níl aon oibleagáid ann páirceáil saor in aisce a chur ar fáil i Ros an Mhíl do mhuintir Árann. Thug mo Roinn faoi obair mhór uasghrádaithe ar shaoráidí páirceála i...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Our ocean is a national asset, supporting a diverse marine economy with vast potential to tap into the €1.200 billion global market for seafood, tourism, oil and gas, renewable energy and new applications for health, medicine and technology. In parallel, our ocean gives us many non commercial benefits for example, amenity, biodiversity and our mild climate. In Ireland, responsibility for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: All applications under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, including the Dairy Equipment Scheme, are being processed as quickly as possible in the department. Over 800 approvals to commence work have already issued to farmers under that Scheme. There was a very significant over-subscription for the grant-aid available under the tranche of funding under the Dairy Equipment Scheme...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (3 May 2012)

Simon Coveney: Further to the reply to the Deputy's previous Question, I can again confirm that the changes referred to relate to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the changes to the rules governing which have recently been published by my Department. I can also confirm that booklets outlining the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme are currently being printed and will shortly be posted to all...