Results 14,021-14,040 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (22 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: The application from the person named has been examined and my officials are awaiting clarification of certain issues before the application can be processed further. Payments to 2009 REPS 4 participants cannot issue until all administrative checks on all applications have been completed. This process is under way and the first instalment payment of 75% will commence later in the year.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: Since 19 May 2009, 85.15% of suppliers and contractors to my Department have been paid in full within 15 days, 13.23% have been paid within 16 to 30 days and 1.62% have been paid after 30 days of receipt of the invoices. In the future, the objective is to ensure that all payments are made within 15 days of receipt of invoices, in accordance with Government policy.

Written Answers — Milk Quota: Milk Quota (22 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: I announced details of the scheme for the allocation of milk quota to New Entrants on 10 June last with a closing date of 31 July. The purpose of the scheme is to make allocations of 200,000 litres of milk quota available to suitable new entrants to dairying. An application from the named person was received in my Department. The processing of applications is being finalised. I hope to be...

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (22 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007-13 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 has commenced to facilitate to release of payments at the earliest possible date.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department has received a submission from the organisation named setting out its response to the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and expenditure Programmes. The submission will be examined, together with any other submissions that may be received, in determining the budgetary framework and in the preparation of the 2010 Estimate for the Department.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: Applications were received on 31 March 2009 requesting the transfer of Single Payment entitlements under the 2008 scheme year from the joint names of the person named and his brother into their individual names. Clarification was sought regarding the number of entitlements to be transferred to each brother and a reply was received on 30 June 2009. Both transfers have now been processed and...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (17 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: Grant-aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme was paid by my Department to the person concerned on 14 September 2009.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (17 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to the Department and the increase, over the past year, from just under 47,000 to some 63,000 in the number of REPS participants. A record 17,000 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and further applications were received up to...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (17 Sep 2009)

Brendan Smith: On 15th July, the Government approved my plan for a reorganisation of my Department's Local Office Network. The plan involves reducing, from 57 to 16, the number of offices from which the Department will operate District Veterinary, Forestry and Agricultural Environment and Structures support services in the future. This will result in a reduction of some 400 in the number of staff working...

Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: This is a longstanding case involving leasing arrangements put in place initially in 1937. Following refurbishment of the pier in the late 1990s, the Port of Cork indicated a wish to alter the leasing arrangement with a view to ultimately acquiring the freehold of the area of foreshore in question. At a meeting between officials of my Department and representatives of the Port Company held...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department, owns, manages and operates two Fishery Harbour Centres in the counties referred to. Namely Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in Donegal and Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre in Galway. Large fishing vessels can access both of these Fishery Harbour Centres at all stages of the tide. Information with regard to ports not under the control of my Department should be sought from...

Written Answers — Fishing Industry Development: Fishing Industry Development (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The cockle fishery remains closed due to restrictions arising from our obligations under the Birds & Habitats Directives and a related European Court of Justice Judgement. A plan outlining Ireland's roadmap to compliance with these Directives has been submitted to DG Environment and a follow-up meeting between Irish officials and the Commission took place in May. DG Environment advised that...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. Drogheda Local Office Executive Officer 1 Fulltime Permanent Staff Officer 1 Fulltime Permanent Clerical Officer 13 (50%) FulltimePartime PermanentPermanent Veterinary Officers 3 Fulltime Permanent District Superintendent 11 (3 day week) FulltimePartime PermanentPermanent Supervisory Agricultural Officer 1 Fulltime...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under both the Farm Waste Management and the Farm Improvement Schemes. In both cases on completion of the works concerned, grant-aid was calculated in accordance with my Department's Standard Costs or on the total of the eligible receipts/invoices submitted by the applicant, whichever is the lesser.

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: At the commencement of its work, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes requested all Departments to prepare evaluation papers outlining potential areas for savings in staff numbers and expenditure. The Special Group met the Secretary General and senior officials of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the course of its deliberations. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Under my Department's Marketing and Processing Scheme of Investment Aid grant-aid of €16.8 million was awarded in December 2008 to 66 enterprises in the horticulture (13 projects awarded €5.4m), livestock marts (22 projects awarded €3.6m) and small meat (31 projects awarded €7.8m) sectors. This package is expected to contribute to investment on projects in the region of €70 million....

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Work is proceeding on drafting the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which gives effect to a number of commitments in the area of animal health and welfare contained in the Programme for Government. Following the public consultation process initiated on the bill in 2008, almost 400 submissions/comments were received from stakeholders, including organisations and individuals, with an interest in...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date 34 staff in my Department have applied for the incentivised scheme of early retirement and 53 staff have applied for the special incentive career break. With regard to state agencies under the aegis of my Department, the number of staff who have applied for the incentivised scheme of early retirement and the special incentive career break is a matter for the Bodies themselves as part...

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Fisheries Council acting on a proposal from the EU Commission decides which fish stocks are subject to a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and quota regime. The Commission in formulating it's proposal takes account of the latest scientific advice on fish stocks. Sand dog, otherwise known as lesser spotted dogfish, Scyliorhinus canicula is not currently subject to a TAC and quota regime.