Results 35,281-35,300 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in November 2009 and received payments for the first two 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 payments have now...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve are granted on the basis of recommendations from an independent Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers on the grounds of hardship and/or animal disease restrictions. The allocations aim to mitigate, rather than alleviate, difficulties caused...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Of the 12 State Bodies that fall under my Department's remit, 4 have an internship scheme in place for young graduates. The Marine Institute Stagiaire programme for graduates was introduced in 2007 with the aim of developing the skills and employability of recent graduates and offering a 50 week placement targeted specifically at those who have graduated within the previous two years. Since...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 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 1st 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named registered eleven animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Nine animals have been paid and the remaining two animals have been cleared for payment, which will issue in the coming weeks. The participant also registered eleven animals under the 2011 Scheme. Two animals were sold before the prescribed measures were carried out and, therefore, are not eligible for payment....

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware that there is very strong demand for hardwood timber for the firewood trade. My Department is addressing supply through grant-aid to forest owners under the Tending and Thinning of Broadleaves scheme. The scheme is targeted at improving the quality of broadleaf of hardwood plantations, and in doing so releases fuelwood onto the market. The scheme will also result, in time, in...

Written Answers — Beekeeping Industry: Beekeeping Industry (24 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, together with the EU, co-funds Ireland's National Apiculture Programme. The University of Limerick was awarded the contract to carry out research associated with the current three-year programme which runs until September 2013. Under the previous 2007-2010 Programme, Ireland started to monitor bee colony losses as part of the international...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 13th May 2011. This application was selected for a cross compliance inspection. In preparation for this inspection officials from this Department unsuccessfully attempted to contact the first person named by telephone on the 27th of May 2011 to arrange the inspection. On the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 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 payments have been...

Written Answers — Agri-Environmental Options Scheme: Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. The full year cost of any new scheme will arise on the 2013 Estimate for my Department and accordingly, the decision will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure ceiling for 2013 as agreed by the Government, and in particular, on how a new...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Charges at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are levied by virtue of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates & Charges) Order 2003. My Department has however recently conducted a review of the 2003 Order and I can confirm that a draft Rates & Charges Order has been published on foot of that review. That draft Order is currently the subject of a public consultation process. My Department...

Written Answers — Agri-Environmental Options Scheme: Agri-Environmental Options Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am fully committed to agri-environment schemes which both put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of society which have a role in supporting the farm incomes of participating farmers. I am currently considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme on an...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 168, inclusive, together. The establishment of an effective discussion group model similar to that successfully employed in the dairy sector was a key recommendations of the report of the industry-led Beef 2020 Activation Group which was set up to advise on the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. The Beef Technology Adoption Programme...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (19 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I remain fully committed to continuing to implement the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The scheme, together with the Agri-environment options Scheme (AEOS), is designed to encourage farmers to go beyond basic good farming practice and to farm in a way that benefits the landscape, biodiversity and water quality. Both...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The maximum level of afforestation agreed for the 2011 planting season for the special protection area in question is 45 hectares. A decision on the level of afforestation that may be permitted in this SPA for the 2012/13 planting season will be decided following consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Future afforestation levels must take into account the results of Hen...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Hauliers of animal by-products, including fallen animals, are registered and supervised by my Department in accordance with national and EU Animal By-Product (ABP) Regulations, which lay down health rules as regards the use and disposal of ABP. Annex VIII of Regulation (EC) No. 142/2011 lays down detailed hygiene, temperature and traceability requirements. In particular, the regulation...

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1064 and 1118 together. Responsibility for management of the national deer herd, including for sending carcases to laboratories rests with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. However, my Department monitors the outcome of routine veterinary examination of wild deer carcasses intended for human consumption. My Department also specifically carries out...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: Dingle Harbour was designated as a Fishery Harbour Centre (An Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre) with effect from 14th May 2007. My Department has had responsibility for the management and development of the harbour from that date. The harbour was previously in the ownership and management of the Dingle Harbour Commissioners. A total of €307,000 in funding was provided for works at the...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: The following is a summary of the capital investment made at An Daingean Fishery Harbour Centre from my Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development programme for the years 2010 and 2011: 2010 €1,048,817 2011 €695,093 In addition to these costs there would have been costs incurred to pay staff and cover current costs. These costs would have been met from the...

Written Answers — Genetically Modified Organisms: Genetically Modified Organisms (18 Apr 2012)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1067, 1114 and 1136 together. Teagasc operates as a separate non-commercial semi state body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with their own management structure and governing Authority. The Act establishing Teagasc confers on it principal functions in relation to the provision of education, advisory and research services...