Results 14,061-14,080 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Agriculture Sector: Agriculture Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Employment in the agri-food sector accounted for 179,200 jobs, or 8.5% of employment in 2008, according to figures from the CSO's Quarterly National Household Survey. Of this total, 117,100 were employed in primary agriculture, 50,000 in food and beverage production, 7,800 in wood processing, 2,200 in forestry and 2,100 in fishing. The agri-food sector encompasses a wide range of company...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The cost of public advertising funded by my Department to the end of June 2009 was €176,031.11. Statutory expenditure: €28,736.60 paid to Brindley Advertising Ltd. €29,686.74 paid to AFA O'Meara Advertising Non-statutory expenditure: €117,607.76 paid to AFA O'Meara Advertising.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to compile the information requested within the short timeframe available. My Department will write to the Deputy within the next two weeks detailing the information requested.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To comply with European Union regulations all REPS 4 applications and plans, including adjusted plans, are subject to eligibility and other checks. The checking procedures are in the final stages and I expect that payment in this case will issue in the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Animal Carcase Disposal: Animal Carcase Disposal (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned has applied to my Department for approval to treat animal by-products in a composting plant in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1774 of 2002. This Regulation lays down strict controls for the safe use and disposal of animal by-products, with a view to safeguarding human and animal health. As part of the approval process, the plant operator must be able to demonstrate...

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Last November, when it became apparent that dairy commodity prices internationally were in decline, I pressed the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Mariann Fisher Boel, to re-activate dairy market supports. These had been suspended since 2006 because of the historically high milk prices that had prevailed in the intervening period. The first step taken by the Commission,...

Written Answers — Farm Household Incomes: Farm Household Incomes (8 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The most recently published data on average incomes by sector is the National Farm Survey 2008. The table shows average family farm income by sector for the period 2006-2008 (2009 is not yet available). Average Family Farm Income by System of Farming â'¬ 2006 2007 2008 Dairying 36,221 51,071 45,732 Dairying/Other 24,774 31,068 23,733 Cattle Rearing 8,291 7,702 7,739 Cattle Other...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The information requested is not readily available but will be collated and referred directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is not possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy within the short timeframe available. My Department will write to the Deputy within the next two weeks detailing the information requested.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person concerned applied for grant-aid under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The decision not to grant approval in this case has been appealed to the Agriculture Appeals Office which has upheld my Department's decision in the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The 2007 Single Payment Scheme application form for the person named was received in my Department on 19 November 2007. The closing date for the receipt of applications under the 2007 Single Payment Scheme was 15 May 2007, as provided for in the governing EU Regulation. This deadline was widely advertised by my Department in the local and national media. The applicant was notified in a...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Early Retirement Scheme was suspended for new applications on 14 October, 2008. No application for the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming was received from the person named. I am, however, conscious that some potential applicants were at an advanced stage of preparing an application when entry to the scheme was suspended and had made, or were making arrangements to meet the...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment issued to the person named on 25 June 2009.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 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 — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Single Payment entitlements for the person named were subject to a re-calculation due to consolidation of the entitlements. This process is now complete and, therefore, payment in respect of the 2008 Single Payment Scheme will issue to the applicant shortly.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has submitted an application for an allocation of milk quota under the Hardship Category of the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal for the 2009/ 2010 quota year. The closing date for receipt of applications for this Scheme was 25th June last. Officials of my Department are currently processing the applications. The Tribunal will shortly commence consideration of these applications...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: I will respond in writing shortly to the person concerned on the issue raised.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The person named has received his full payments under the EU Restructuring and Diversification Funds. However, payments are also due on a sugar beet contract in the name of the applicant's late mother. My Department is currently resolving the outstanding matters in relation to the application for payment in respect of this contract and the appropriate payments will issue to the person named...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The farm belonging to the person named was the subject of a REPS inspection on 4 November 2008. Arising from this inspection, my officials asked for an amended plan on 10 November 2008. This amended plan was received on 16 June 2009. The person named was then notified that penalties were being imposed as a result of the inspection. He appealed these penalties on 20 June 2009. No payment...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (7 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The first instalment of the 2008 REPS 4 payment issued to the person named on 19 May 2009. The person named is also an applicant for grant-aid under the Farm Waste Management Scheme and payment of the first instalment of 40% was made on 2 June 2009. Payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme will come on a phased basis with 40% being paid this year as claims are approved. A...