Results 35,781-35,800 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a...

Written Answers — Horse Racing Industry: Horse Racing Industry (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the issues raised by the person to whom the Deputy refers. There has been extensive contact between the individual concerned and officials from my Department. I have also written to this individual and I have explained to him the extent of my Departments responsibilities with regard to the welfare of horses in training and the options open to him should he wish to further...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The above named person established 57 single payment entitlements. An application was received requesting the transfer of these 57 Single Payment entitlements from the person named to another person by way of sale under the 2006 scheme year. Following the successful processing of this application, the person named no longer holds single payment entitlements.

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payments Schemes is required to carry out annual inspections covering land eligibility and cross compliance to ensure compliance with EU regulatory requirements. The value of these schemes to Irish farmers is €1.8bn annually. It is, therefore, incumbent on my Department to ensure that the regulatory control environment is...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I have had this matter investigated and am pleased to say that the processing of the application of the person named has now been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming week.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested is well outside the customary information sought from Board members either on appointment or as part of their annual corporate governance disclosures and as such is not readily to hand. There are currently 12 State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department. As to the cost to the State the table below sets out the annual remuneration that...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I thank Senators for taking a keen interest in this legislation. I will try to answer some of their questions and reply to a number of comments. The point of this legislation is to enable the Minister to put the list of procedures together. We are debating the legalities involved. The list can be changed, but there will be ongoing consultation with stakeholders in that regard. Whether it...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Senator Mooney raised the issue of the cost of medicines. I do not have any direct control over this. The main driver behind this legislation is the cost competitiveness of farming. It seeks to ensure that farmers do not need to pay vets to do things that farmers are more than qualified to do themselves. If there is any evidence to suggest there is some kind of cartel developing between...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It is being distributed now. Reflecting the fact that the Bill enjoyed support on all sides of the House, no Opposition amendment was tabled during its passage through the Dáil. However, arising from ongoing consideration within my Department and consultations between my Department and various stakeholders following publication, I proposed a total of 12 amendments by way of refining and...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: There is mutual recognition.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: We have done that.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I do not think so. It was a healthy animal.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: It was a healthy heifer.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (21 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: I am pleased to present the Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Bill 2011 to the Seanad. I am glad to say that this Bill, which proposes to amend the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 in a number of areas in light of experience since its adoption, was well received in the Dáil and its passage through that House during the second half of last year was uncontentious. I look forward to the measure...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: At the outset I would point out that this is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority and the Deputy may wish to contact Teagasc directly for a more detailed reply. I am advised by Teagasc that 127 staff have already retired under the revised pension arrangements and a further 57 are expected to retire by the end February deadline. The total staff working in Teagasc on 1st January...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 5 May 2011, following processing of which dual claims were identified in respect of all five land parcels declared by the person named. Following correspondence with my Department, it emerged that the lands in question were leased by the other claimant from the person named for a twelve month period...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: Applications under the 2009 and 2010 Single Payment Schemes/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes were received from the person named on 30 April 2009 and 7 May 2010, respectively. Under the provisions of the governing EU Regulations, payments under these Schemes may be made only in respect of eligible land and applicants are obliged annually to only declare eligible lands available to them. While the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the person named on 15th December 2011. The Department's file was received at this office on 24th January 2012 and the appeal was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 26th January 2012 for adjudication. Currently, the appeal is under consideration by the Appeals Officer and pending the availability of all parties concerned, arrangements...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS in February 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. These checks have now been completed and 75% of the Year 4...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Feb 2012)

Simon Coveney: The information requested by the Deputy, as extracted from the Department's payroll at the end of January, is contained in the Table. NO. OF DEPARTMENT STAFF IN VARIOUS PAY RANGES GROSS PAY RANGE NO. OF STAFF €10,000 €20,000 €30,000 €40,000 €50,000 €60,000 €70,000 €80,000 €90,000 €100,000 €115,000 €125,000 €150,000 2 In relation to the State Agencies under my...