Results 11,061-11,080 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Direct Payment Schemes: Direct Payment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: To date in 2010 a total of 3,145 penalties have been imposed on REPS participants under the REPS Scheme. These penalties were in respect of various breaches of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, including such things as non-compliance with commitments as outlined in the REPS Plan, over-declaration of areas claimed for payment and late submission of payment application. To date in 2010, 843...

Written Answers — National Recovery Plan: National Recovery Plan (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 55 and 60 together. The National Recovery Plan agreed by the Government sets out a blueprint for a return to sustainable growth in our economy setting out in detail the measures that will be taken to put the public finances of the country in order. In particular, it identifies the areas of economic activity which will provide growth and employment and...

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

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that the balancing payments under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme have begun issuing today, in line with the very ambitious payments targets I set for my Department in early October and especially given the huge task that has been ongoing throughout the year, designed to get our mapping system fully accurate and up to date. I am confident that, by year-end, payments to farmers...

Written Answers — World Trade Negotiations: World Trade Negotiations (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are a number of trade negotiations taking place at present. In relation to the World Trade Organisation talks, these are ongoing but there have been no significant breakthroughs since their near collapse in 2008. Prospects for a breakthrough or an agreement being reached in 2011 continue to remain uncertain. I am, however, determined to ensure that any agreement reached is balanced in...

Written Answers — Farm Inspections: Farm Inspections (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The C&AG Report on the cost of farm inspections estimated that the total cost of the farm inspection service in 2009 was €15.8m including direct salary, overheads, imputed pension costs, and travel and subsistence. This covered the cost of all 152 staff in the Integrated Control Division (ICD) and works out at a cost of €1,800 per inspection. It should be noted that: The €15.8m figure...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The new derogation will run to the end of December 2013, coinciding with the timeline for Ireland's second National Action Programme.

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The following is a summary of the funding approved for projects under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in early 2010. Fishery Harbour & Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme 2010 Location Project Fishery Harbour Centres Safety & Maintenance €1,870,000 Fishery Harbour Centres Disability Access €135,000 Castletownbere Fishery...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The agreement reached with the European Commission in September on Ireland's Second National Action programme under the Nitrates Directive means that there is no change in the requirement for the pig and poultry sectors until January 2013 and thereafter the changes are on a stepped basis up to 2017. During the consultation process that preceded the second National Action Programme, I had...

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

Brendan Smith: On the basis of current trends it is anticipated that payment will be made in 2010 for planting in the region of 7,500 to 8,000 hectares.

Written Answers — On-farm Investment Schemes: On-farm Investment Schemes (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme opened for applications on 1 November last. Under the terms of the Scheme, applications will be accepted from farmers up to 31 December 2013 and eligibility conditions and selection criteria will be applicable in order to determine those applications which will proceed to the approval stage. The Sow Welfare, Poultry Welfare and Bioenergy...

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

Brendan Smith: The Government decision on decentralisation included the relocation of some 600 posts of my Department to Portlaoise. Since the decentralisation programme began there has been an increase in Portlaoise of some 300 posts across a wide number of Divisions bringing the total there to almost 500 posts. Work to progress this programme further in 2011 will take account of the evolving operating...

Written Answers — Farm Improvement Scheme: Farm Improvement Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Applications under the Farm Improvement Scheme have been processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. As the funding made available for the Scheme has been exhausted, I have no plans to re-commence processing of those applications for which no funding has been provided.

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

Brendan Smith: The Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds, more commonly referred to as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, was introduced in 2008. This Scheme is 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...

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

Brendan Smith: My Department in co-operation with Customs service monitors and operates animal and public health controls at EU approved Border Inspection Posts (BIP) on all direct imports into Ireland of products of animal origin coming from non-EU (or third) countries. Controls are also carried out on postal parcels and passenger baggage coming from third countries. EU rules stipulate that food products...

Written Answers — Aquaculture Licences: Aquaculture Licences (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: There are 513 aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination – this consists of 265 applications for first time licences and 248 renewal applications. The backlog in the processing of new and renewal licence applications largely arises because the majority of areas for which the licences are sought are designated Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Further participation in the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme will have to be determined within the limits of the level of funding which will be available to my Department. The Government's 4 year Plan which was published last week sets out the expenditure ceilings for my Department for the period 2011 to 2014. The Plan does not specify the programmes or schemes to which the funding will...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: Further participation in the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme will have to be determined within the limits of the level of funding which will be available to my Department. The Government's 4 year Plan which was published last week sets out the expenditure ceilings for my Department for the period 2011 to 2014. The Plan does not specify the programmes or schemes to which the funding will...

Written Answers — Alternative Farm Enterprises: Alternative Farm Enterprises (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 72 together. In February 2010 approval was granted to launch the Bioenergy Scheme 2010-2012, to follow on from the pilot Bioenergy Scheme which ran from 2007-2009, encouraging farmers to grow the energy crops willow and miscanthus. From 2007 – 2010 the Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of up to 3,000 hectares of bioenergy crops. The...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 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 under way and my objective is to make all payments for 2010 as...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (1 Dec 2010)

Brendan Smith: The total amount of funding available from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and Natura 2000 Scheme is €132,913,000. The EAFRD co-funding rate is 75% with the balancing 25% to be provided by the Exchequer. This Exchequer co-funded element will amount to €44,304,333. This brings the total co-funded amount to...