Results 13,541-13,560 of 23,964 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: In order to be eligible for the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, farmers must apply for the scheme by completing the relevant section of the Basic Payment Scheme application form.  Farmers may choose not to apply for the ANC scheme in any given year for a number of reasons such as changes to their farming practice, loss of eligible ANC land through the ending of lease...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Officials from my Department's Human Resources Division are currently collating the material for this PQ response.  To ensure the accuracy of the information, it is necessary to liaise with a number of DAFM Divisions. My Department commits to submit the information directly to the Deputy within five working days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Ownership (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I wish to advise the Deputy that the system that is in place for dealing with queries relating to the activities of the former Irish Land Commission has obviously been impacted to some extent by the public health restrictions arising from the Covid19 pandemic, given that many staff are working remotely. However, I am confident that every effort is being made to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The current agri-environment scheme GLAS (Green, Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme) includes two actions which specifically support permanent pasture which is managed to promote a more diverse sward. The Low Input Permanent Pasture Action has been taken up by over 36,000 herds and covers over 250,000 hectares. This objective of this action is to promote a more diverse sward through...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is very supportive of local agricultural shows and provides in excess of €80,000 annually to the Irish Shows Association for disbursement to local organisations. This funding is designed to assist with the insurance costs associated with running such events. However, other than this financial assistance, the Department does not have a direct role in running these shows.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department is very supportive of these shows, providing in excess of €80,000 annually to assist with the insurance costs associated with running these events. The benefit that they provide in showcasing livestock and agricultural produce, along with the wider social benefits to local communities is appreciated. My Department does not run or manage the shows, but does intend to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Last year, the Beef Taskforce was established to provide the leadership to develop a sustainable pathway for the future of the beef sector in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The Taskforce provides a robust implementation structure for commitments entered into in the Beef Talks Agreement of 15th September 2019, with timelines and stakeholder engagement. The Beef...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department occupies 71 buildings across the country. Of these, 34 buildings or 48%, which includes Head Quarter offices in five locations which cater for the majority of staff, have dedicated Rest Rooms which can be used by staff as required.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (20 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named recently received a letter advising him of a breach of limits under the Nitrates Regulations in respect of the 2019 year and detailing that a penalty that would be applied to his 2020 scheme payments. The letter also outlined the procedures for requesting a review of the decision and/or lodging an appeal to the Agricultural Appeals Office. No correspondence has been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Industrial Development (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together. Wool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool. In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Early Retirement Scheme from Farming has been closed for applications since 2009. In recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. The agri-taxation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Employment Rights (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Immediately following the publication of claims of possible exploitation of undocumented migrant workers on Irish fishing trawlers in the Guardian newspaper in November 2015, an interdepartmental Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry was established by the Government to examine the specific issues identified in the newspaper report and to make recommendations on...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named submitted applications for the 2015 and 2016 Basic Payment (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constrains (ANC) Schemes on the 28th January 2020.These applications resulted in a 100% late penalty applying to both the BPS and ANC schemes for these years. This was subsequently waived on appeal and payment under both the BPS and ANC schemes have now has issued to the person named.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Licence Applications (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The applicant has submitted a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) in relation to this application, which will be assessed by an ecologist as part of the Appropriate Assessment process. As you may be aware, there is a backlog of licensing applications with our Ecology Unit. Notwithstanding that, we expect that an ecologist will begin work on this file within the next 2 months. If no further...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The documentation received from the person named is sufficient to ensure that the has enough eligible land to cover entitlements held under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2020. Officials from my Department have been in contact with the person named on a number of occasions this week to discuss the issues relating to the commonage in question.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The review can be downloaded from the following location: A copy of the review is attached to this response.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Bord na gCon (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: Rásíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The renaming of Bord na gCon (Irish Greyhound Board) to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland carried out by Mr. Jim Mackinnon, CBE, former Chief Planner with the Scottish Government, reviewed the forestry approval process and related issues. This was a similar exercise to that which Mr. Mackinnon had conducted for the Scottish authorities. It was published at the end of last year and cost of €15,640 was borne...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Regional Aid (15 Oct 2020)

Charlie McConalogue: The Regional Aid Guidelines (RAGs) - EU Regulation 2013/C209/01 - are open to SMEs and large enterprises, including those active in the processing and marketing of agricultural products into non-agricultural products i.e. products not covered by Annex 1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Regional aid supports economic development and employment in...