Results 14,141-14,160 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The area aid unit wrote to the person named with regard to problems that arose while processing his 2004 area aid application. The Department sought maps and evidence to entitlement to commonage areas being claimed on his area aid application. There has been no reply from the person named to date. On receipt of a reply from the person named, the area aid unit will process his 2004 area aid...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I am fully aware of the impact that the overshoot reduction will have on beef farmers who claimed on more than 25 animals. The decision to opt for full decoupling was arrived at following careful consideration of all options and following a widespread public consultation process. A very persuasive factor in this process was the suggestion that farmers in those member states which fully...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application for consideration under the force majeure-exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment regulations was submitted by the person named on 17 February 2004. Following consideration by my Department and the independent single payment appeals committee of the circumstances outlined, including additional information submitted, my Department is satisfied that force majeure...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department located approximately 50 additional staff in Portlaoise as an initial step in decentralisation during 2004. Currently work for another 60 staff is being transferred to Portlaoise and will be undertaken by staff in that office who are being freed up as a result of rationalisation of income support schemes. My Department aims to transfer a further 50 staff to Portlaoise by early...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 200 together. As the Deputy is aware, I am seeking a solution to the difficulties for Irish farmers as a result of the overshoot of the 2004 special beef premium scheme quota. I have raised the issue with the Agriculture Commissioner and her officials on a number of occasions during recent meetings. My Department forwarded a detailed submission to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: There are no commissioned reports awaiting publication in my Department. Internally generated reports awaiting publication include the statement of strategy 2005-07, annual review and outlook 2004-05, and the CMMS statistics report 2004. There are a number of reports, at various stages of preparation, which will require endorsement-approval at departmental, ministerial and Government levels,...

Written Answers — Disadvantaged Areas Scheme: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The following table shows the numbers of farmers and amounts paid on a county basis under the 2004 disadvantaged areas scheme.

Written Answers — On-Farm Checks: On-Farm Checks (1 Jun 2005)

Mary Coughlan: EU regulations provide that on-the-spot checks which involve eligibility checks and identification and registration of animals checks shall be unannounced. However, provided the purpose of the control is not jeopardised, advance notice may be given, strictly limited to the minimum period necessary. Such notice shall, except in duly justified cases, not exceed 48 hours. Where cross-compliance...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the independent single payment appeals committee found that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld. However, my Department has re-examined the circumstances of this case and are satisfied that force majeure should be applied. As a result, the single farm payment entitlements will be based on 2002...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 345, inclusive, together. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland implemented the single payment scheme in January 2005. The special beef premium scheme, along with the slaughter premium scheme, were the only schemes where the deadline for the receipt of applications was 31 December 2004. This meant that as many farmers as possible submitted their applications...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: An application to the 2005 single payment scheme national reserve under category C was received in my Department from the person named on 23 February 2005. Since the final closing date was further extended to 16 May 2005, his application has been accepted. Category C caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold their milk quota into the milk quota restructuring...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the farm income requirements set out in the installation aid scheme. The scheme sets out the following examples of force majeure which may be recognised where an applicant is unable to meet the conditions of the scheme: death of the applicant; serious illness-incapacity of the applicant; compulsory acquisition of all or part of the agricultural holding...

Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: The installation aid scheme provides a grant of €9,523 to farmers under the age of 35 who have been set up in farming for the first time and who meet certain education and income criteria. By virtue of the provisions of Article 8 of Council Regulation 1257/1999 on support for rural development from the EAGGF, grant aid may only be paid under the scheme in respect of, inter alia, farm...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Work on drafting the animal health Bill is proceeding in my Department. There is still a significant body of preparatory work to be completed and it is not possible at this stage to indicate a date for publication.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department has received an application from the person named but there is an issue relating to the area included in her REPS plan which must be resolved before the application can be processed further. The applicant and her REPS planner have been made aware of the issue.

Written Answers — Water Pollution: Water Pollution (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: A possible role for anaerobic digesters in dealing with organic waste from the both the agricultural and agrifood sector and, in particular, from the pig and poultry sectors has been under consideration by my Department for some time. Some years ago my Department grant aided an anaerobic digestion facility on a pilot project basis with a view to examining its feasibility and potential to...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: My Department operates a number of schemes which are aimed at developing viable full-time farming. Under the installation aid scheme which is operated by my Department, a grant of €9,523 is available to farmers under the age of 35 who are set up for the first time in farming and who meet the education and income criteria set out in the scheme. Preliminary applications, IAS 1 forms, must be...

Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I received the report of the Oireachtas joint committee formally on 7 April. I have asked my officials to consider the recommendations contained in the report, having due regard to the terms and conditions of the early retirement scheme and of the European Commission regulations under which the current and previous schemes were introduced.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: Some 142,000 applications for the single payment scheme were received by my Department by the closing date of 16 May 2005. While processing of the applications has commenced, it is not possible at this early stage to detail the position of any individual case.

Written Answers — Live Exports: Live Exports (31 May 2005)

Mary Coughlan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. Trade in sheep between member states of the European Union is subject to the provisions of, inter alia, Council Directive 2003/50/EC, which amends Council Directive 91/68/EEC as regards reinforced controls on the movement of sheep and goats. These controls, which were introduced in the aftermath of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in...