Results 37,881-37,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Modulation is a process whereby each farmer's Single Payment is reduced by a set percentage (first €5,000 exempt, 9% between €5,001 and €300,000 and 13% over €300,000). Up to 80% of funds generated through modulation can be retained in Ireland for spending on certain Rural Development measures. The main Rural Development measures currently administered by my Department are the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: There is currently one vacancy at General Operative level in Castletownbere. However, as the Deputy will be aware, a moratorium on recruitment and promotion is currently in place in the public service. Under the terms of the moratorium, no public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment or promotion without the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 April 2010. During the validation of the application, a number of errors were identified in respect of some land parcels declared by the applicant. This matter has now been resolved and payment will issue to the person named shortly.

Written Answers — Dairy Industry: Dairy Industry (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: A number of supports are available to companies in the dairy ingredients sector. Client companies of Enterprise Ireland are eligible for support under all elements of the Food Competitiveness Fund, which is funded by my Department and which supports business transformation through 'lean' business process initiatives, management development and leadership initiatives. Companies engaged in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 3 in November 2006 and has received payment in respect years 1 to 4. Following an inspection on 20 September 2010, penalties totalling 100% of the year 5 payment were imposed. The person named was informed of these penalties and of the right to appeal by letter dated 4 February 2011. To date no appeal has been received.

Written Answers — Animal Identification Scheme: Animal Identification Scheme (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Agriculture Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be set for 31 December 2009, 6 years after the original decision was...

Written Answers — BIM Training Programmes: BIM Training Programmes (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: BIM is an independent statutory body and has advised my Department that the demands of delivering the 14 week intensive course leading to the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency require the availability of two Master Mariner plus other instructors with maritime qualifications satisfying the requirements of the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport. In August, 2008 the...

Written Answers — Food Imports: Food Imports (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Imports of fresh fruit and vegetables into Ireland for the years 2008 – 2010 are presented in Table 1 below. It should be noted that in the case of fruit the values include fresh/dried fruit. In the case of vegetables the values include fresh/chilled vegetables. My Department continues to encourage the production of fruit and vegetables in Ireland and only recently I announced the...

Written Answers — Apple Growing Industry: Apple Growing Industry (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food conducts a detailed apple orchard census every five years to update national statistics and to comply with EU legislation. The last orchard census took place in 2007*. It showed 40 Irish apple growers with a production area of 579 ha. The Department estimates this area to have now increased to about 620 ha. Apple varieties grown in Ireland...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The information being sought is personal data within the meaning of the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2003 and the Minister cannot disclose such data without the consent of the data subjects. However, if the Deputy can provide the relevant consents, the Minister would be willing to provide such information directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced REPS 3 in December 2006 and has received payment in respect years 1 to 4. Following an inspection on 3 December 2010, penalties totalling 105% of the 5th year payment were imposed. An appeal dated 23 March 2011 was received by my Department. Following a review of the case the person named was informed by letter on 24 May 2011 that the appeal was not successful. The...

Written Answers — National Reserve Applications: National Reserve Applications (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The closing date for the 2011 National Reserve was 16 May 2011. Category B caters for farmers who commenced farming after 15 May 2009. In addition certain criteria in relation to income limits, farming experience and farming qualifications must also be met. Applicants are also required to submit a 2011 Single Payment application form detailing all lands which they are currently farming....

Written Answers — National Reserve Applications: National Reserve Applications (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The closing date for the 2011 National Reserve was 16 May 2011. Category B caters for farmers who commenced farming after 15 May 2009. In addition certain criteria in relation to income limits, farming experience and farming qualifications must also be met. Applicants are also required to submit a 2011 Single Payment application form detailing all lands which they are currently farming....

Written Answers — BIM Training Programmes: BIM Training Programmes (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 331 together. BIM is an independent statutory body and the leading provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. BIM has advised my Department that the demands of delivering the 14 week intensive course leading to the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency require the availability of two Master Mariner plus other instructors with maritime...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Under the terms of the scheme, an applicant under the afforestation scheme who is or was a participant in the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) is not entitled to forestry premiums at the farmer rate unless that person refunds the Department the ERS payments in full. A person who is or was a member of the ERS scheme is however entitled to forest premiums at the non-farmer rate, which are payable...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as land transactions, are the responsibility of the company. Coillte has, however, advised that it has not sold Glengarrif Woods to a private company.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The person named has been approved into the AEOS scheme with a start date of 1 September 2010. 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...

Written Answers — Fishing Quotas: Fishing Quotas (24 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The Boarfish is a small pelagic species of fish which has in recent years become the target of commercial fishing by the Irish fleet. Until 2011 no Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or national quota had been determined. At the EU Fisheries Council negotiations in 2010 when determining the TAC and Quota for 2011, of critical importance was ensuring that Ireland received a fair share of the Boarfish...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (19 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. During the CAP Health Check negotiations, agreement was reached on the use of unspent funds under the single payment scheme; the sheep sector was identified as vulnerable and in need of specific supports. This scheme, which focuses on those flocks with breeding ewes, is designed to assist in the maintenance of the national breeding...

Written Answers — Pet Passport Scheme: Pet Passport Scheme (19 May 2011)

Simon Coveney: The format of the EU Pet Passport is laid down in Commission Decision 2003/803/EC. The passport contains the unique identification of the dog or cat with information on vaccinations and additional treatments. It is used in a similar manner to passports for humans i.e. it accompanies the pet on all travel between countries to assist in border control. There is no expiry date and in most...