Results 12,121-12,140 of 18,482 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (29 Sep 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named is a participant in REPS 3. He is not entitled to any payment until he starts the fifth year of his contact on 1 December. He has to send in his Form 1C, his application for payment, before 1 January.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: I am advised that, in relation to land owned by Coillte in Co. Mayo, some 2,875.32 hectares are designated Special Areas of Conservation [SACs] and some 389.39 hectares as Special Protection Areas [SPAs]. Both of these designations (SACs and SPAs) are collectively known as Natura 2000 sites. They overlap in some instances so they cannot be summed to give a total. In relation to the land...

Written Answers — EU Schemes: EU Schemes (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: I understand that the Deputy's Question relates to payment on various types of land under REPS and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. The position is that I have made proposals to the European Commission to increase the rate of payment on SACs and other Natura areas under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. I have no plans to increase the rate of payment under REPS.

Written Answers — EU Schemes: EU Schemes (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: By the closing date of 17 May 2010, my Department had received over 9,000 applications under the recently introduced Agri-environmental Options Scheme from farmers who, if they prove eligible, will be entitled to up to €5,000 per year for the period ending 31 December 2015. Together with ongoing commitments in REPS, this means that all EU funding for agri-environment payments up to the end...

Written Answers — Horse Racing Industry: Horse Racing Industry (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Statutory responsibility for prize money for horse racing tests with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) in accordance with Section 8. (1) (a) (iv) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. I understand from HRI that prize money produces a significant multiplier effect. The Dukes Report "Analysis of the economic impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry", commissioned by ITBA, directed by Alan...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within ten working days.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: The details sought by the Deputy in relation to amounts awarded to organisations involved in social partnership is set out below: Year ICOS Macra na Feirme 2004 €13,000 €24,000 2005 €13,000 €24,400 2006 €13,000 €25,000 2007 €13,000 €25,000 2008 €13,000 €25,000 2009 €13,000 €22,500 2010 Nil (to-date) Nil (to-date) As well as the above, the branch secretary for...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Processing of the 2009 Single Payment Scheme application form of the person named revealed that one land parcel claimed by the person named had another Scheme applicant. In keeping with standard procedure, both individuals were written to and asked to confirm their entitlement to claim the land in question. Both responded claiming the right to claim said land and both submitted legal...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Farm Waste Management Scheme closed for new applications at the end of 2006. Expenditure under the Scheme since then has been as follows:- Year Amount (€m) 2007 113.9 2008 413.7 2009 292.8 2010 (end-June) 195.6 Approx. €122 million (excluding any ex-gratia payments) shall be paid to farmers by way of the final instalment of grant-aid under the Scheme which is due in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: The details requested by the Deputy are as follows: 2008 2009 2010 Annual Budget â'¬189.523m â'¬179.731m â'¬167.250m Department funding â'¬148.873m â'¬145.990m â'¬135.594m *Serving Staff 1,512 1,574 1,432 * includes permanent and contract staff The annual budget for Teagasc includes Department funding and own generated income from advisory service fees etc. The annual budget...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Since the publication of the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, Department funding to Teagasc has been cut by €11m from €146m in 2009 to €135m in 2010. The Government moratorium on public service numbers also applies to the filling of posts in Teagasc and requires Teagasc to achieve a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: The full-time equivalent staff numbers in my Department from 2008 to 31st May 2010 are as follows: 31st December 2008 4,245 31st December 2009 3,881 31st May 2010 3,710 The Grades in which they are employed are outlined below: 2008 2009 2010 Acting Harbour Master 2 2 2 Advisory Counsel Grade 3 1 1 1 Agricultural Inspector 94 85 80 Administrative Officer 25 24 24 Area Superintendent...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: I propose to take Questions Nos. 599 and 613 together. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 were developed for the purpose of giving statutory effect to Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme under the EU Nitrates Directive. The Directive requires each Member State's Action Programme to specify periods when the land application of...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Notwithstanding that the amendment form in question was received in my Department after the latest date for receipt of amendment forms under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme, as defined in the governing EU Regulations, under the rules concerning the consolidation of single payment entitlements ("the 50% rule"), were the two parcels which were listed on the amendment form in question to be taken...

Written Answers — Intra-Community Trade: Intra-Community Trade (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Since the FMD outbreak in 2001 and arising from certain concerns relating to scrapie, all exports of sheep for breeding or production must comply fully with normal rules for intra-community trade. Intra -Community trade in sheep is governed by the provisions of Council Directive 2003/50/EC which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC. These controls apply to breeding sheep whether they are...

Written Answers — Greyhound Racing Industry: Greyhound Racing Industry (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: As I announced on Friday 2nd July 2010, I will introduce legislation in the Autumn to amend the Greyhound Industries Act 1958 to put the welfare standards for greyhounds on a statutory basis. I intend to give statutory effect to the current very comprehensive guide for the care and welfare of greyhounds published by Bord na gCon.

Written Answers — Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries: Horse and Greyhound Racing Industries (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Funding for the horse and greyhound racing industries will continue to be provided through the Horse and Greyhound Fund. The level of funding to be provided in 2011 will be determined in the context of the preparation of next year's estimates. In the meantime, work is progressing on how best to give effect to the commitment set out by the Taoiseach in relation to the application of betting...

Written Answers — Bovine Diseases: Bovine Diseases (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department's overall national strategy for the eradication of TB provides for a comprehensive range of measures, including the mandatory annual testing for all cattle in the national herd, the restriction of holdings where reactors are disclosed, risk-based testing of herds contiguous to infected herds, the early removal of reactors, a wildlife programme involving the targeted removal of...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Under EU Regulations, all applications for the Agri-Environment Options Scheme must be administratively checked for eligibility before approval can issue. This process is under way and will be completed as quickly as possible. My Department has already written to all applicants acknowledging receipt of their applications, and advising them that once all applications have been assessed they...

Written Answers — Agri-Environment Options Scheme: Agri-Environment Options Scheme (8 Jul 2010)

Brendan Smith: Provision has been made for the launch of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme at a rate of up to €5,000 for approximately 10,000 participants. By the closing date of 17 May 2010, my Department had received over 9,000 applications. My officials are currently examining these applications, and until this process is completed it will not be possible to determine what costs will arise in...