Results 37,481-37,500 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The moratorium on recruitment in the public service remains in place in line with commitments made in the National Recovery Plan and the Programme for Government to reduce public service numbers by 2015. Any exceptions to the moratorium can only be considered in very limited circumstances in respect of mission critical posts and in full compliance with annual ceilings on staff numbers. In...

Written Answers — Third Level Courses: Third Level Courses (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have agreed to prioritise six new contract teaching posts in the Agricultural Colleges for a three year period as an exception to the moratorium. I expect that this exceptional approval of new posts will be matched by further initiatives by Teagasc to devote more resources to the Agricultural Colleges including...

Written Answers — Irish Horseracing Industry: Irish Horseracing Industry (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The horse racing industry received €47.4m in financial support from the State in 2010 through funding provided to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. HRI is a commercial State company, established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. HRI has a regulatory and developmental role in the thoroughbred industry. The functions of HRI are defined in The...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I appointed Philip Meaney chairman of Bord na gCon on 12th April 2011, pursuant to Section 8 of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, after consultation with the Minister for Finance. This is the only appointment I made, since taking office, to any of the State Bodies that come within the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. I expect that payments to participants in the scheme in respect of the first year will commence in August and that payments in...

Written Answers — Bovine Disease Controls: Bovine Disease Controls (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. A herd number is an administrative arrangement under the disease eradication schemes and does not denote ownership of stock or lands. Thus the person in whose name the herd number is registered, being the (nominated) keeper of the animals, may or may not be the legal owner of the animals held under that herd number or the holding where...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 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 — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: It is not possible to provide this information in the required time. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (14 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: My Department part funds the secondment of a full time officer from this Department to the position of Branch Secretary with IMPACT. The cost of funding this secondment for the last 10 years (2001 – 2010 inclusive) was €127, 585. Also, during the past ten years a total of €14,254,152 was paid to unions/staff associations in respect of subscriptions deducted from staff pay on my...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The availability of a well educated and skilled work force has a vital role to play in supporting sustainable farming and in enabling the agri-food sector meet the Food Harvest 2020 targets for growth. The achievement of these targets will contribute significantly to economic recovery. In light of the above and following consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: While forestry units are used for national compliance with greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, they cannot be used under the EU emissions trading scheme. I understand that, under Irish Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), there is no value included in the Coillte Group Annual Accounts for the other assets to which the Deputy refers.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the provisions of the governing EU Regulations, the deadline for the receipt of applications under the Single Payment Scheme is 15 May. There is provision for the acceptance of late applications up to 25 working days after that deadline subject to the imposition of a late penalty. Applications received after this 25 day limit are subjected to a 100% late penalty. An application for the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The following is the list of animal welfare organisations awarded Ex-gratia funding in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. The funding is provided to these, largely voluntary organisations, to assist with their work in the provision of animal welfare services. 2008 awards to Animal Welfare Organisations Allocations € Animal Help Net Kerry 1,000 Animal Magic, Kilmallock Co Limerick...

Written Answers — Common Agricultural Policy: Common Agricultural Policy (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Negotiations on the CAP post 2013 are at a very preliminary stage at present with a first legal text due from the European Commission in the autumn. Although it is anticipated that the Single Payment Scheme will continue, it is too early to speculate on the likely shape of the overall package and the payment model that will replace the existing scheme.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The above person commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received his Year 1 in August 2010. 75% of the Year 2 payment, amounting to €4543.50, issued on 27 June 2011. The balancing payment of 25% will be processed at the earliest possible date.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: Remedial works were required on this plantation before any further payments could be made on this contract. Confirmation was received from the person concerned on 20th June 2011 that the necessary works were completed. The matter has been referred to the district inspector who must confirm that the works were completed to the standard required by the Forest Service. Such inspections are...

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named has submitted an application for an allocation of milk quota under the Hardship Category of the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal for the 2011/ 2012 quota year. The closing date for receipt of applications for this Scheme was 1st July last. Officials of my Department are currently processing the applications. The Tribunal will shortly commence consideration of these applications...

Written Answers — Flower Sector: Flower Sector (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The flower sector could potentially include a number of very different areas of production including bulbs, wildflowers, annuals or biennial flowers. It could also be extended into ornamental nursery stock. Each of these areas has very different propagation and production techniques requiring very different approaches in equipment and facilities. Bord Bia has recently published an Amenity...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (13 Jul 2011)

Simon Coveney: The public consultation on the Fisheries Natura Plan and Appropriate Assessment of mussel seed fishing within Castlemaine Harbour was completed on 6 June 2011. Under the European Communities (Habitats and Birds) (Sea-fisheries) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 346 of 2009), the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is a statutory consultee, stemming from his remit as competent authority for...