Results 36,221-36,240 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Jan 2012)

Simon Coveney: There are eight State agencies financed by the Exchequer under the aegis of my Department. The following table sets out the agencies and the number of board members in each case. Total Number of Board Members Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB) 7 Bord Bia 15 Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) 5 Bord na gCon 6 Horse Racing Ireland 14 Marine Institute 8 Sea Fisheries Protection...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 271 together. Capital Expenditure in my Department over the period 2000 to 2011 (to date, 14 December) was as follows: Year Amount (€ m) 2000 127.2 2001 111.9 2002 57.9 2003 133.9 2004 140.1 2005 156.2 2006 149.5 2007 295.3 2008 684.1 2009 546.0 2010 491.2 2011 (at 14 December 2011) 186.1 The substantial increase...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The budget for my Department is set out in the Revised Estimates for the Public Services, 2011 under the following four (4) expenditure programmes: - A. Agrifood policy, Development and Trade: €383.6m. B. Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare And Plant Health €317.1m. C. Rural Economy and Environment €647.9m. D. Effective Delivery of Client...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 29 April 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing payment to issue on 7 December, directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 April 2011, following processing of which over-claims were identified on three of the land parcels declared by the person named. The person named has been written to in this regard and, on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the application will be further processed with a view to the appropriate payment...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have provided funding in the Department's Vote for 2012 to allow the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), including the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme, to be re-opened and I will be announcing the details very shortly. The grant rate of 40% which was available under the previous version of the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme will be retained and the maximum eligible investment...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on the 7 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, which indicated that the person named...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named had 6.01 standard entitlements with a unit value of €58.49 (total value of €351.52) that expired in scheme year 2010 due to non-usage. These entitlements were reverted to the National Reserve on 2 February 2011. EU Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme provide that entitlements must be used at least once in each two year period. 'Used' in this context means...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department does not employ external public relations companies and has not for the years in question. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department's Press Office. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department established a steering committee to oversee the Environmental Analysis of scenarios related to the implementation of the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 Report since I became Minister.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Traditional Farm Building Scheme was introduced as a supplementary measure under REPS 4 in 2008. Its objective is to ensure that a number of traditional farm buildings, which contribute to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, will be maintained into the future. The Heritage Council administer the Traditional Farm Building Scheme on behalf of my Department....

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011. This application was selected for a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance inspection. During the Cross Compliance inspection discrepancies were recorded in relation to Bovine Identification and Registration concerning Bovine Passports and a failure to notify movements to...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Disadvantaged Areas Schemes seeks to compensate over 100,000 Irish farm families, whose ability to farm is restricted due to the poor quality of their land. Over seventy five percent of Ireland's total agricultural area is designated as disadvantaged and in order to encourage sustainable use of this land, and protect against land abandonment, thereby maintaining the countryside, the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2011. Processing of the application has been finalised in recent days with full payment issuing today, 15 December 2011. The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the Single Payment Scheme it is a requirement of all applicants to comply with the cross compliance requirements relating to 18 Statutory Management Requirements (SMR's) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). There are a number of environmental and protection of water provisions - SMR2 relates to the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: The prohibition on placing eggs from hens in conventional (unenriched) cages is laid down in EU legislation, and Member States are required to enforce these provisions with effect from 1 January 2012. There is no provision for a three month derogation as requested, and the Commission has made it clear on a number of occasions that it intends to fully enforce these requirements. From an Irish...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 April 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed. In the vast majority of inspected cases, including this case, amendments have had to be...

Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I believe there is a good commitment within the EU to a strong agri-food sector and an increased recognition of the importance of the sector's contribution to the achievement of economic, social and environmental objectives. In developing the EU2020 strategy for recovery and growth in Europe, Heads of State and Government in the European Council recognised this contribution concluding that...

Written Answers — Fur Farming: Fur Farming (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I have established a Review Group in my Department to review all aspects of fur farming. The terms of reference of the group are as follows: Ø To review fur farming in Ireland taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming Ø To comment on the economic benefits of the sector Ø To consider the effectiveness of existing welfare controls, and Ø ...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (14 Dec 2011)

Simon Coveney: I am satisfied that the removal of milk quotas in 2015 represents a major opportunity for the Irish dairy sector to expand production, increase its contribution to the Irish economy and improve returns to dairy farmers. The Deputy will appreciate that the significant challenge facing the Government in the context of Budget 2012 was to address the very large deficit the public finances while...