Results 11,021-11,040 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Aquaculture Development: Aquaculture Development (7 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Some €5 million of Exchequer funding was allocated in 2010 to the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme, an implementing measure under the Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013. BIM are responsible for implementation of the scheme. On 30 July 2010, BIM invited applications under the scheme, with an application deadline of 20 August. Eligible applications received amounted to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 15 May 2010. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility and Full Cross Compliance Inspection. The inspection process is complete and the results are now being processed. Under EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the...

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are no new regulations coming into place on 1 of January 2011 in relation to the export of cattle to Northern Ireland or England.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. During validation of the application a 'missing map' error was identified in respect of a number of land parcels declared. This matter was resolved following correspondence between the person named and my Department. The 50% advance payment under the Single Payment...

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: EU Commission approval for the introduction of five targeted modernisation schemes focused on supporting productive investment in the agricultural sector was received earlier this year. Due to the relatively short time-frames for completion of the investment works concerned, priority was given to the introduction of the Sow Welfare and Poultry Welfare Schemes which were launched on 16 June...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 22 April 2010. The land parcel declared by the applicant required re-digitisation. This process has now been completed and the person named was paid in full on 1st December.

Written Answers — Charitable Organisations: Charitable Organisations (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The details requested will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. On processing the application an over-claim was identified on one of the parcels declared by the applicant and he was written to in this regard on 13 September 2010.This issue has now been resolved in favour of the person named and the payment due in respect of the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The EU Regulations governing REPS 4 and other area-based schemes provide that payments issue in two instalments. The first instalment of 75% may be paid once all administrative checks on all applications, as well as cross-checks against areas declared on Single Payment Scheme applications, have been completed. This process is underway and my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2010. Advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 18 October in respect of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. A number of parcels listed on the application, required re-digitisation, this process is now complete and the full balancing...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 17 May 2010. The 50% advance payment, which issued on 18 October 2010, was on the basis of the land cleared at that stage, as a number of parcels declared required digitising. Balancing payments under the scheme, which commenced this week, would, in normal circumstances, be confined to those whose...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 20 April 2010. The 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme, which issued on 18 October, was on the basis of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage. Following re-digitisation of a number of parcels listed on the application of the person named, over-claims were identified in respect...

Written Answers — Common Fisheries Policy: Common Fisheries Policy (2 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The December Agriculture and Fisheries Council sets the annual TACs and quotas and fishing effort limits for the following year. Since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty, any issues relating to other aspects of the Common Fisheries Policy, such as amending the Cod Recovery Plan as set down in Council Regulation 1342/2008 or the amendment of the transitional technical measures Council...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: One of the commitments in the Renewed Programme for Government is that the Government would work with the Irish forestry sector, including Coillte, to develop a scheme relating to the carbon sequestration ability of forests and future forestry investment in Ireland. The Programme proposed that a scheme be developed through which some of the monies currently set aside to purchase carbon...

Written Answers — Food Harvest 2020: Food Harvest 2020 (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: My priority for 2011 is to maximise the cohesive implementation of Food Harvest 2020. This will be achieved through a number of strands. I have already established and am chairing the High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC). Their priority for 2011 is to ensure an effective, integrated approach to implementation. I have already asked the Department and the state agencies to take action in...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The issue of the need for balance in the food supply chain is being addressed in a number of arenas. At national level the Renewed Programme for Government contains a commitment to "implement a Code of Practice for doing business in the Grocery Goods sector to develop a fair trading relationship between retailers and their suppliers" and "to review progress of the Code and if necessary to...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Farm Assist is directly a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. I have regular contact with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, on a range of issues of mutual concern, including Farm Assist. In addition, my Department keeps in regular contact with the Department of Social Protection and Family Affairs regarding developments of relevance to both Departments at both...

Written Answers — Beef Industry: Beef Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Suckler Welfare Scheme was introduced in 2008 and fully funded by the Irish Exchequer. The primary aim of the Scheme is to improve the quality of the national beef herd. A two-pronged approach is being taken to achieve these aims – firstly through improving the welfare of the animals and secondly through the development of an extensive database which will identify the best beef breeding...

Written Answers — Compensation Payments: Compensation Payments (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: As a result of a review carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, additional destocking measures were introduced in the Twelve Bens and the Nephin range. Farmers who comply with these additional measures and who are participants in an agri-environment scheme i.e. the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme or the Rural...

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The price paid for agricultural commodities, including meat products, is a matter for the industry, and is a function of the supply and demand dynamics in the market place. In common with other meats, returns to pig producers have fallen as a result of the economic recession. During the early part of 2010 prices continued to fall following the significant decline witnessed in 2009. Prices...