Results 12,121-12,140 of 18,326 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named submitted valid Single Payment Scheme applications in respect of the 2005, 2006 and 2009 scheme years. As these applications were submitted to my Department before the deadline of 15th May provided for in the governing EU Regulations, full payment issued in respect of these years. The person named submitted his 2007 SPS application with my Department on 28th November 2007....

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department continues to make every effort to ensure that all correspondence, including representations from Members of the Oireachtas, is responded to as quickly as possible. The Customer Charter 2009-2011 includes a commitment to respond to correspondence, whether by letter or email, within 20 working days. In situations where this is not possible the Charter provides that an interim...

Written Answers — Fishing Fleet Modernisation: Fishing Fleet Modernisation (22 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A total of 82 vessels have been decommissioned under the fishing fleet decommissioning programme since 2005 at a total cost of €52,571,815. Of these, 46 vessels have been decommissioned since the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group at a total cost of €36,605,029.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named has 13 animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, herds of more than 10 cows, the animals must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. Based on the information provided by the applicant all of the animals were weaned on the same day and are not,...

Written Answers — Agricultural Training Courses: Agricultural Training Courses (17 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Since the Suckler Welfare Scheme was introduced in 2008 in excess of 37,000 farmers have participated in the training courses provided in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. My Department is arranging for further training sessions to be provided this year for those participants who have not already received training.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Payment under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme will be issued shortly by my Department to the person concerned.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Jun 2010)

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

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: Consideration of the application for a foreshore lease in respect of this development is at a very advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to make a determination regarding the matter shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The Early Retirement Scheme application for the person named has been approved for payment backdated to the date when my Department received a valid application from him, which was 24 September 2009. He will receive his first payment at the end of June.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My Department has received Single Payment Scheme applications for the years – 2005 to 2009 - on behalf of the Estate of the father of the person named. Despite numerous requests for the submission of the grant of probate and other supporting documentation - they have not been submitted to my Department. The processing of the applications cannot be finalised until the requested...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named was paid on his SPS entitlements on 27th January 2010 following deduction without penalty, on the ground of force majeure/exceptional circumstances, of a land parcel also claimed by another applicant.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (16 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: A major rationalisation plan for my Department was approved by Government last year. This plan involves a comprehensive restructuring of the Department's local office network and provides a fully integrated service to our farming clients and the wider agri-food and rural environmental sectors at regional level. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the...

Written Answers — Fallen Animal Collection Scheme: Fallen Animal Collection Scheme (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The disposal of fallen animals is subject to EU Regulations, notably Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. These regulations require that animals which die on-farm must generally be disposed of through approved knackeries and rendering plants. While my Department's contribution to the Fallen Animals Scheme in general ceased with effect from 14th April 2009, I have continued to provide financial...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 11 animals for consideration under the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2009. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, meal must be provided to the calves for at least four weeks before they are weaned from their mothers. As this requirement was not complied with, the applicant is not eligible for payment. The applicant has been informed of this decision.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The appointment of a person to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Irish National Stud (INS) Company Limited is a matter for the Board of the INS. The Board of the Irish National Stud Company Limited appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Company following an open competition process. My Department has no role in the recruitment process. My approval, given with the consent...

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention has not been drawn to this matter.

Written Answers — Bullying in the Workplace: Bullying in the Workplace (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: My attention was drawn to certain allegations concerning human resource issues at the Irish National Stud Company Limited. However, the Board in accordance with its remit dealt with these matters, which I understand are now the subject of legal proceedings.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named has submitted an application to join the new Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS). Over 9,000 farmers have applied to join the scheme and all applications submitted must now be administratively checked to ensure that they comply with the scheme conditions. When this process is complete, successful applicants will be notified in writing of the commencement date of their...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: The person named had 22 animals for consideration under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, animals from herds of more than 10 cows must be weaned in at least two separate groups with at least five days between the weaning of each group. According to information provided by the person named, all of the animals were weaned on the same day. Therefore,...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (15 Jun 2010)

Brendan Smith: I can confirm that there are no delays in payments under the under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payments are issuing on a continuous basis to those participants who have fully complied with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Officials from my Department are in constant contact with farmers where queries have been identified in order to complete the processing of each case.