Results 8,621-8,640 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: Given the important role that the Basic Payment Scheme plays in supporting the farming sector, I have applied to the EU Commission to increase the level of advance payment to 70%. The normal rate of advance payment allowable under the relevant EU regulations is 50%. I have asked my officials to consult with the EU Commission in relation to the formal approval of this application.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Environmental Schemes (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: At the outset, I should stress that this is a locally led scheme which is not directly administered by my Department. The design and management of the scheme are primarily matters for the local project team, who will work closely with my Department, as the scheme is rolled out.   The design work for the new scheme has already commenced following the appointment of a locally...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The report referred to by the Deputy provides three suggested policy approaches for the EU cattle sector including the one specifically mentioned by the Deputy. I welcome the report as an important contribution to the debate on supporting the EU cattle sector overall. It should be noted that the report identifies two other policy approaches, namely market transparency and market...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The person named approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. The payment for 2016 did not include the Low Input Permanent Pasture payment.  During the prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the requirement to have an owned grazing enterprise to fulfil the requirements for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The person named approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full in respect of the 2015 scheme year. During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases.  Department officials are actively working to resolve the issue with a view to further processing the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1394, 1409 and 1410 together. I fully recognise the enormous challenges Brexit poses for the agri-food and fisheries sectors, and particularly for the beef and mushroom sectors, both of which, given their reliance on the UK market for exports, are experiencing severe difficulties on foot of the fall in the value of sterling against the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: China is a high priority for beef market access and significant progress has already been made. The BSE ban in respect of Irish beef was lifted by the Chinese authorities in early 2015. This was a very positive development which paved the way for the start of the process to secure access. The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) then...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The Scottish Derogation measure of the Basic Payment Scheme provided for the allocation of entitlements to farmers who never held entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme and who fulfilled certain eligibility criteria as laid down under EU Regulations. Eligibility criteria included the requirement by the applicant to provide verifiable...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1397 to 1403 inclusive and 1405 together. The comprehensive document “Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union: The Government’ Approach”, published on 2 May, outlined in detail the structures put in place by the Government to ensure a strategic and whole-of-Government response to Brexit that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Staff (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: Following the UK referendum in June 2016, my Department established a dedicated Brexit Co-ordination Unit within its EU & International Trade Division. This unit now forms part of a new Brexit and International Trade Division. It comprises eight staff, including a full-time Head of Division, working full-time on the co-ordination of the various strands of Brexit...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: Shortly after the UK Referendum result I established a Consultative Committee of Stakeholders, formalising a consultation process that had in fact been commenced some months in advance of the UK referendum. Its purpose has been to assist myself and my Department in assessing the potential impact of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors and in considering possible responses, and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: My Department has conducted a range of analysis and research activities in relation to Brexit. This work is ongoing, and is primarily concerned with the implications of Brexit for agri-food trade with the UK across different sectors. For example, both internally and in consultation with the relevant stakeholders through the Brexit Stakeholder Consultative Committee and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The Mid-Year Expenditure Report sets out the pre-Budget expenditure ceiling for my Department of €1,270 million for current expenditure and €238 million for capital expenditure. This represents the spending baseline for examination of my Department's budgetary priorities for 2018. As outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, the increases planned in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme Data (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The last summary of the Agriculture Cashflow Support Scheme provided to my Department by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) showed that, up to the end of June, there were 3,672 loan drawdowns amounting to a total of €117,308,197 (or 78% of the total). This is an average loan amount of €31,947. Some 59% of the loans are for terms of 4 years or more. A...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme was developed by my Department in co-operation with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), and made €150 million available to farmers throughout Ireland at low-cost interest rates of 2.95%. It provided farmers with a low-cost, flexible source of working capital, allowing them to pay down more expensive forms of short-term...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: The person named was approved into GLAS with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full for the 2015 scheme year. The 85% payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named. All GLAS 1  participants are required to submit a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) before the 2016 15% payment can be made.  When the NMP on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: Brexit poses enormous challenges for the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, the most immediate of which arises in the form of the significant fall in the value of sterling against the euro, which has become particularly acute recently. I fully understand and appreciate the significant impact that this is having on farmers. Indeed, I and my Department, with the support of the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Crop Losses (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: In July I launched the Weather Related Crop Damage Measure for tillage farmers impacted by adverse weather in September 2016. Commercial cereal growers who experienced greater than 30% loss in tonnes of eligible crops sold as a result of the wet harvest conditions in September 2016 were eligible to apply for aid. The eligible crops under the measures are spring wheat,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Eligibility (11 Sep 2017)

Michael Creed: Based on the current participation levels in GLAS 1 and 2, there are 2,633 applicants deemed eligible for GLAS+ payments. It is only when the 2017 payment processing is complete that the average annual GLAS+ value for GLAS 1, GLAS 2 and GLAS 3 participants will be available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Marine Institute (26 Jul 2017)

Michael Creed: Please note this is an operational matter for the Marine Institute. It is a matter for the Marine Institute to ensure that appropriate structures are in place within the organisation to prevent conflicts of interest.