Results 36,101-36,120 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney
- Written Answers — Agricultural Exports: Agricultural Exports (18 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: Despite the on-going serious constraints in the public finances, Budget 2012 was a strong statement of support for the agrifood sector and recognition of the contribution which this export sector can make to economic recovery and future growth in the Irish economy. The taxation measures announced in Budget 2012 reflect this Government's commitment to the agrifood industry and in particular to...
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (18 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: My Department continues to implement the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) and the Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) as agri-environment measures under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. The schemes are 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 — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (18 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: The decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1 April 2015 was made in the context of the CAP Health Check in 2008. Ireland strongly supported their abolition, on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the Irish dairy sector to respond positively to market opportunities. More than 85% of Irish dairy...
- Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (18 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: The rural development measures operated by my Department are funded through the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 has a budget of â¬5.103 billion over a 7-year period of which â¬2.494 billion will be funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and â¬2.609 billion by the National Exchequer. Under Axis 1 of the programme the main measures co-funded are the...
- Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (18 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: My vision for the current reform of the CAP is for a regime that encourages sustainable intensification of production. This means that we need a strong and well resourced EU agriculture policy that supports the twin goals of competitiveness and sustainability. We should stabilise and support farm incomes through direct payments while addressing market volatility through a safety net of...
- Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 2057EU funding has and continues to be provided through the Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, which provides for a range of measures including payments in respect of designated areas under the Habitat Directive. Compensation for those who were adversely affected by the implementation and designations under the Habitats Directive is delivered as part of the Rural Environment protection...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The person referred to by the Deputy is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The grant payment in question has been the subject of an appeal to both the Agriculture Appeals Office and the Office of the Ombudsman which have upheld the decision of my Department not to pay the grant amount concerned.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st December 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of 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, had to be completed before any...
- Written Answers — Argi-Environment Options Scheme: Argi-Environment Options Scheme (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1I am considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environmental Options Scheme in 2012, possibly on an amended basis or on a limited scale and will make an announcement on the matter in due course. The full year cost of funding a new scheme will fall to be met in 2013 and the decision to re-open for applications in 2012 will be taken in the context of my Department's expenditure...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1An application was received on 29 April 2011 requesting the transfer of 34.22 Single Payment entitlements from the joint names of the person named and his late wife to the sole name of the person named. Following communication from the Transfer of Entitlements section, the testamentary status of the estate of the late wife of the person named was clarified, most recently on 16 November 2011...
- Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1I established a Review Group in my Department in November 2011 to review the issue of fur farming. The Terms of Reference of the Group are as follows: 1. To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming 2. To comment on the economic benefits of the sector 3. To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2010 and received payments for the first year of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulation which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed and payment...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 10 May 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payment to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2011, the 50% advance payment of which issued on 17 October 2011. As processing of the application is now complete, the balancing payment due issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 17 January 2011.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 14 May 2010. This application was fully processed and payment under the Grassland Sheep Scheme issued on 1 February 2011, based, in accordance with the provisions of the Scheme, on the original Sheep Census return received by my Department on 11 January 2010, which indicated...
- Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The bodies under the auspices of my Department whose board and staff have obligations under the Ethics Acts 1995 and 2001 (the Ethics Acts) are set out in Statutory Instrument No. 707 of 2001. In relation to my Department, all officers at Principal Officer or equivalent level and above are in designated positions, which carry obligations under the Ethics Acts. The other designated...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: staff in my Department retired in 2011. The total amount of annual pensions payable is â¬2,611,210 and the total cost of lump sums paid was â¬8,421,942. The parallel information in respect of the State Bodies under my aegis is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.
- Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The funding allocation under the 2011 budget and the corresponding actual outturns for my Department under the four expenditure programmes was as follows: Budget Actual A. Agri-Food policy, Development and Trade: â¬383.6m. â¬344.1m. B. Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare And Plant Health â¬317.1m. â¬256.6m C. Rural Economy and Environment â¬647.9m. â¬535.6m. D. Effective...
- Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The person named is an applicant under the Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme and has already received an approval to proceed with the sheep fencing concerned. My Department's specifications for such fencing permit an applicant to use either timber or concrete posts, provided they meet the requirements of those specifications. The specifications concerned are available on my Department's website.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jan 2012)
Simon Coveney: 1The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st November 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of 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, had to be completed before any...