Results 13,541-13,560 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Grant Payments. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The suckler welfare scheme is funded fully by the Exchequer. The continuation of the scheme and the level of funding to be provided are budgetary matters which will be decided in the context of the forthcoming 2010 budget and the Estimates provision for the Department. The scheme was introduced in January 2008 and has more than 50,000 farmer participants. It covers approximately 85% of the...

Grant Payments. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: This scheme was introduced in 2008 and the payments issued in 2008 and 2009 were the first under this new stream of income. Funding for the 2009 scheme will be paid early in 2010. We do not know yet what our Estimates will be for 2010 or the indicative budget for 2011. Therefore, I am not in a position to say whether we will have resources for the scheme beyond this year's commitment....

Grant Payments. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: All the farm organisations have been supportive of the scheme and have lauded its merits. Although it is less than two years old, it has been successful in meeting its objectives of improving welfare and husbandry standards, building knowledge of herd health and improving the breed quality of the suckler herd. The Deputy, quite rightly, raised those issues, which are important in the context...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the deterioration in the public finances, the limited resources available to the Department and the increasing cost of the scheme as a result of the increase in the number of REPS participants. Over 12,000 farmers joined REPS 4 in 2007 and 2008, and about 17,000 more applications were received up to the 2009 closing date...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS is not intended primarily as an income support measure but as an agri-environment measure. However, we all know its importance to the income of farmers. My Department has been in consultation with other Departments, particularly the Department of Social and Family Affairs with regard to the loss of farm incomes, particularly during this year. The computations have been done of...

Rural Environment Protection Scheme. (26 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: We will not be introducing an inadequate agri-environment measure in 2010. I am fully conscious of the serious pressure on farmers and farm families. Poor commodity prices and other difficulties have created problems. The number of farmers in REPS this year is the highest ever. REPS has been an important source of income but it is important to note there is a certain cost to...

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: This debate is particularly timely and it is an opportunity for the House to focus on the undoubted potential of the Irish agri-food sector to contribute significantly to the recovery of the economy. I express my sympathy to all those who have been badly affected by the flooding in recent days. I am aware, from my Department's assessment, of the impact of the flooding on the agricultural...

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: It has been welcomed outside this House.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Increased allocations have been given during the past two years.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: There has been increased expenditure.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: As the Deputy knows, the milk quota will not be gone until 2015. The Deputy said it is gone now.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy said I was delighted it was gone, but it will not be gone until 2015.

Farming and Agri-Food Sector: Statements (25 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Yes.

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The objectives for forestry set out in the Report are the development of a sustainable sector to support rural employment, provide an indigenous renewable energy resource and help mitigate climate change. To achieve this my Department promotes the planting of new forests through a range of attractive support measures - the Afforestation Grant Scheme, the Forest Environment Protection Scheme...

Written Answers — Environmental Policy: Environmental Policy (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Bill currently before the Oireachtas will transfer certain Foreshore functions, including the licensing of energy related developments on the foreshore, from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The transfer of these functions will align the onshore and offshore...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications, including plan checks, to be completed before the first 2009 payments issue. Processing of applications is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to release the 75% payment due on valid applications in...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: Compensation is paid to herd owners under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme who have animals removed as reactors. However, entitlement to compensation is conditional on owners/keepers complying with the provisions of the Disease of Animals Act 1966, any Orders made under this Act and other national or EU legislative requirements relating to movement, identification and other controls...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 13 May 2009. This application was selected for and was the subject of a ground eligibility and full cross compliance inspection. T he inspection is completed and the application has now been fully processed. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has issued, with...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application from the person named has been received in my Department. All applications received up to the closing date of 30 October are being examined in my Department at present. The details of the application from the person named, as well as the funding available, will be taken into account in reaching a decision. As soon as the decision has been made, he will be notified of the outcome.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Nov 2009)

Brendan Smith: An application, from the person named, to purchase quota in the current Milk Quota Trading Scheme has been received in my Department. Details of all applications are currently being processed and it is expected that the results of the scheme will be made known in early December.