Results 10,521-10,540 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: Applications for aid under the current Installation Aid Scheme, which applies to farmers set-up for the first time in farming on or before 31 December 2006 will be considered in accordance with the terms and conditions of that Scheme. The Installation Aid Scheme to be applied in Ireland as part of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme will be introduced as soon as EU approval is received...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on 25 August 2006. The application was accepted even though the closing date for receipt of completed applications to transfer entitlements was 16 May 2007. The application was examined and further documentation is required. My Department wrote to the person...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: In 2006, my Department replied to 2413 parliamentary questions. The time spent on replies to Parliamentary Questions can vary considerably depending on the nature of the question and the cost of preparing replies is not readily available.

Written Answers — Offshore Islands: Offshore Islands (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: According to the Central Statistics Office, there are 372 farmers living on off-shore islands. I am aware of their specific circumstances and have taken them into account under the new Rural Development Programme for 2007 to 2013. In the case of on-farm investments, reckonable standard costs will continue to be 25% higher for islands. Under the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme —...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: It is the practice within my Department to comply with Section 3 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1947 and I am not aware of any cases that did not comply with this requirement.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: No positions have been filled from members of the panel to date. No applicants have withdrawn from the panel. First offers have issued to 13 candidates and a further two offers will issue when the Public Appointments Service has informed the Department that all relevant clearances have been received from the two applicants.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Feb 2007)

Mary Coughlan: For both new applications and annual applications received and paid in REPS 3 between I January 2006 and 31 December 2006, the average time for making a REP scheme payment was 7 weeks and 1 day. This is within the timeframe agreed for REPS between the farming organisations and my Department.

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The Public Service Benchmarking Scheme did not encompass the semi-State company to the Deputy refers.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: I understand that the property in question is currently leased on a long term basis by Coillte to the Dublin Diocesan Trust and provides dormitory accommodation for scouts and other youth groups largely from the west Dublin area.

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The new Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 provides, in the case of the proposed Young Farmer Installation Scheme, that the system of income units be replaced by a requirement that young farmers must fulfil, inter alia, certain land transfer conditions in order to benefit from the increased grant of €15,000. The new Scheme will be introduced as soon as EU approval is received for the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: An application for the Transfer of Entitlements from the person named under the Single Payment Scheme was submitted on the 24th May 2006. During processing of the Transfer application it was necessary for an official of my Department to seek clarification on certain matters relating to the application. The requested information was received on the 17th of January. The application has now...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on the 8 September 2006. The application was accepted even though the closing date for the receipt of completed applications to transfer entitlements was 16 May 2006. During processing of the Transfer application it was necessary for an official of my...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: All of the staff of my Department earn more than one euro above the national minimum wage. In relation to agencies under the aegis of my Department, the Code of Corporate Governance for State Bodies requires that they comply with labour laws. However, the day-to-day activities of those bodies are the responsibility of the bodies concerned. Information regarding staff who are employed by...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on the 25th April 2006. The application was examined and further documentation is required. The person named was written to on the 25th November 2006 and an official from my Department also made direct contact with the person named on the 18th January 2007...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted an application under Category C of the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve which caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002....

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The forestry planting rate in Co. Meath was: 2002: 168.52ha 2003: 149.34ha 2004: 150.2ha 2005: 217.38ha 2006: not yet available. The new Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013 has made very significant improvements to the Government's support system for the planting of trees throughout the country. Included among these measures are increased planting grant rates, a 15% increase in premium...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has certain statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes Act 1984 and the European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. 705 of 2006). In addition there is specific legislation in relation to pigs, calves and laying hens. Welfare matters are...

Written Answers — Organic Farming: Organic Farming (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The area in Meath covered by organic production at the end of 2006 was 785 hectares (1,940 acres), compared with 644 hectares (1,590 acres) in 2005. While the total area is still small by European standards, 2006 was the second year in succession in which the Irish sector showed significant and encouraging growth. Nationally, the total area in conversion or with full organic status rose by...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The position is that my Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms covering such issues as eligibility under the Scheme, compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 Jan 2007)

Mary Coughlan: The person named submitted one application under the 2004 Special Beef Premium Scheme dated 31 December 2004 in respect of thirty-eight animals. Following initial processing, it was found that ten of the animals were non-CMMS compliant, in that they were not recorded as being in the herd of the person named on the date of application, as required under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme....