Results 9,741-9,760 of 18,593 for speaker:Michael Creed

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Appeals (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: An application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 18 May 2015. Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants were required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months i.e. From 1 January 2015 to 31 July 2015. Payment under the ANC scheme did not issue in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: The person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. As 2016 is the final scheme-year of payment for the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payments can issue. As 2016 is the final scheme year for AEOS 2, re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. Out of 8,640...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Data (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the EU Regulations governing GLAS and all other area-based payment schemes, a full check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payment can issue. Cases are being worked through on an ongoing basis and all cases which pass all of the regulatory checks and cleared for payment are paid on a weekly basis. There are currently 3,880 GLAS...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Suckler Welfare Scheme (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: I am very much aware of the importance of the beef sector to Ireland’s rural economy and of the challenges faced by suckler farmers. It is a sector that I intend to ensure receives the continued support of my Department both at this time and into the future. There are a number of supports currently in place for the sector under the Rural Development Programme not least the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (12 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: I am very conscious of the vital role that live exports play in stimulating price competition, and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department and Bord Bia are involved in on-going work to encourage and facilitate such exports. The Deputy will be aware that, in February last, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under...

Brexit: Statements (Resumed) (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for this opportunity to address the House on what I think we all agree is the biggest challenge facing the agrifood sector in many years. The scale of the Brexit challenge is evident from our trade figures which illustrate our dependence on the UK market. According to the CSO, in 2016 we exported €4.8 billion worth of agricultural products to the UK,...

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

Michael Creed: The GLAS 3 Specification clearly sets out compatible GLAS actions that can be selected on the same land parcels when applying to join GLAS. This specification states that where the Wild Bird Cover action is selected on a whole or part parcel basis the Protection of Watercourses from Bovines action cannot be selected on the same parcel. Therefore by selecting the Wild Bird Cover...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: This refers to an application for a Grant and Premium payment under the Afforestation Scheme. This plantation appeared to be subject to a turbary burden. The applicant submitted an Indemnity which has been checked by the Department's Legal Services Division. All searches by the Department did not return any evidence that the turbary burden was registered as an appurtenant on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (11 Apr 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), making €150 million available to farmers at interest rates of 2.95%. One of my priorities has been to address the impact of the change in the sterling exchange rate and lower commodity prices in some sectors, which...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Information and Communications Technology (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: The TAMS II IT system has been updated to allow for the correction of obvious errors and payment claims which are identified as having these errors will be processed for payment.

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

Michael Creed: The Irish timber industry faces particularly difficult challenges arising from the UK decision to leave the EU. Over 70% of all timber products manufactured here in Ireland are exported to the UK. Brexit will most likely result in increased costs for exporters through border delays, tariffs and exchange rate fluctuations, as well as increased competition from third country...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: Under the 2015 National Reserve an exception was made which allowed students to qualify under the scheme before completion of their agricultural course. However, this exception did not receive the approval of the EU Commission. Consequently, in order to qualify for the 2017 National Reserve successful applicants must have successfully completed a recognised course of education in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme Eligibility (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: In accordance with EU Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve and Young farmers Scheme, Members States may define additional eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills, experience or education. To ensure that the benefits of the ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant’ categories are targeted at those who have a genuine interest in farming...

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

Michael Creed: The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements for persons who suffer from a ‘Specific Disadvantage’. Officials from my Department have consulted with the EU Commission with regard to funding of...

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

Michael Creed: The governing EU Regulation 1305/2013 for the TAMS Schemes specifies that support for investments in physical assets will be granted to farmers or groups of farmers and the Rural Development Programme submitted to the European Commission specified that the beneficiaries under the TAMS II Scheme will be active farmers. This is included in the eligibility criteria laid out in the Terms and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Programme for Government (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: The commitment in the Programme for Government states that "Subject to EU amendment approval, we will expand the TAMS scheme to include measures on mats for slatted sheds and rainwater harvesting systems." The inclusion of slat mats under TAMS II schemes will be considered in light of budgetary considerations.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Licence Applications (11 Apr 2017)

Michael Creed: The aquaculture licence application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The legislation provides for a period of public and statutory consultation. In the case of this application the public consultation period is now over. My...

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

Michael Creed: My Department introduced a new approval process in place for the provision of official bovine identification tags. Three tag vendors are currently approved under the new arrangements. During the period 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2017, 50,623 herd keepers ordered 2,057,116 bovine tag sets. 25,069 of these herd keepers, representing 1,091,238 tag sets, opted not to pay the voluntary ICBF...

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

Michael Creed: The ICBF was established in 1998 following a number of years of industry consultation among all stakeholders in the cattle breeding industry. ICBF is the only body approved under EU legislation (Commission Decision 2006/427/EC) to carry out testing, genetic evaluation and publication of breeding values for Irish dairy and beef cattle. The objective of the ICBF is to achieve the greatest...