Results 9,461-9,480 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: To the end of September, 329 civil servants have been assigned to posts in my Department under the decentralisation programme. Some 250 have already transferred to my Department's offices in Portlaoise. 180 of the 250 were Dublin-based and 70 were from other locations. Almost 50% of the assignments were as a result of applications to the Central Applications Facility, some internal but the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Department's Decentralisation Implementation Plan allows for a phased movement to Portlaoise, i.e. the transfer of functions and posts over a number of years. Involving over 150 posts, the 2005 & 2006 phases of decentralisation to Portlaoise are now complete and the 2007 phase is in progress. Planning and preparations are ongoing for 2008 and subsequent phases. To facilitate the...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the person in question received a number of afforestation grants under the Western Package Scheme between 1984 and 1988. Unlike the current afforestation scheme, no provision for payment of premiums existed under that particular scheme. In relation to selling part of the plantation, while I am not in a position to comment on whether any individual is entitled to sell a...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 3 May 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 20 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application of the person named has now been fully...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The labelling of beef is governed by comprehensive EU regulations, which were introduced in 2000, and is underpinned by a full national animal identification and traceability system. The compulsory elements of these regulations require operators involved in the marketing of beef to provide country of origin information, at each stage of the marketing process, on all beef sold, up to and...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 4 May 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 20 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application of the person named...

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The following amounts were paid in respect of domestic mileage undertaken by Ministers of State at this Department over the 4 years from 2003 to 2006 and to date in 2007: 2003 Mr. Liam Aylward TD — €34,809.71 Mr. Noel Treacy TD — €33,425.24 2004 Mr. Noel Treacy TD — €29,306.73 Mr. Liam Aylward TD — €39,825.73 Mr. John Browne TD — €8,033.06 Mr. Brendan Smith TD...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The vast bulk of my Department's advertising is by way of press advertisements in the specialized farming press, with provincial newspapers and national daily newspapers also used. Radio advertising forms a very small part of my Department's advertising. My Department will, however, consider use of the specified radio station for local public awareness campaigns as the need arises.

Written Answers — Wildlife Protection: Wildlife Protection (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I am very much aware of the very serious problem presented by the spread of the grey squirrel, not only to the native red squirrel but also to our increasing stock of broadleaf forests. The red squirrel's loss of territory to the grey and the economic cost of grey squirrel damage to our broadleaf trees is a major and urgent issue for our countryside today. Accordingly, I have sought expert...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The following is the information requested by the Deputy. Agency Remuneration Pension Scheme Ancillary Benefits â'¬ Coillte 253,243 Yes Performance Related Bonus Scheme Irish National Stud 104,668 Yes Performance Related Bonus Scheme Teagasc 151,261 Yes Expenses incurred in or about the performance of duties National Milk Agency 88,142 Yes Expenses incurred in or about the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The construction of agricultural buildings is subject to the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, whether or not the proposed work is the subject of a grant application to my Department. A general guide to the requirements of that Act, including guidance on the appointment of project supervisors, is included in the terms and conditions of the Farm Improvement...

Written Answers — Beef Imports: Beef Imports (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: During 2006, imports of Brazilian beef into Ireland amounted to 6,324 tonnes, a decline of 8 per cent on the previous year. It should be noted, however, that Ireland also imports beef from other EU Member States, and some of this may be non-EU beef already in circulation within the Community. In this regard the EU imported a total of 331,436 tonnes of beef from Brazil last year, which was...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. A decision will be made in relation to the application as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Under the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme, a sum of €85 million has been allocated to the modernization of agricultural holdings, which includes the Farm Improvement Scheme. 5,557 applications have been received, to date, under that Scheme. I expect moneys will begin to be paid shortly as these applications are processed.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has completed a comprehensive review of the Forestry Act 1946 and draft Heads of a new Forestry Bill have been prepared. The proposed legislation will address many of the issues raised during the extensive consultation process undertaken by my Department. Change of land use, which includes the question of replanting, is one such issue and in drawing up the new Bill it is...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 April 2007. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced on 20 September, with payments issuing in respect of those cases cleared for payment at that stage. Payments continue to issue as further cases subsequently become clear. The application of the person...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Under the terms and condition of the TB eradication scheme, herdowners may, in very particular circumstances, be granted permission to move animals into a restricted holding. Decisions to grant permission are taken on the basis of assessment of the holding from a disease perspective and herdowners are advised by the DVO that the movement of certain animals into the holding, at any time...

Written Answers — Single Payment Scheme: Single Payment Scheme (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: This appeal was received in the Agriculture Appeals Office on 29 May 2007. Following necessary preliminary consultation and the retrieval of reference documentation, the file was assigned to an Appeals Officer on 19 September 2007. The Appeals Office will contact the appellant shortly to arrange the oral hearing that he requested.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2007. The Terms and Conditions governing the Scheme require that applicants maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare declared for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as not meeting this...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Oct 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person named had a compliance inspection in February 2007 at which significant issues were identified. He was written to later that month outlining the issues, and given a chance to explain the circumstances before a decision was taken about imposing a penalty. The matters raised are currently under further investigation by my officials and the person named will be notified directly...