Results 14,181-14,200 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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.

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: To date a total of €1,142,294.93 has been paid in 2009 in respect of REPS 3 and 4. REPS 3 payments continue to be made on an ongoing basis. Under EU rules, payments to REPS 4 participants may be made in two instalments, the first at 75% on completion of all administrative checks and area checks on all files and the remaining 25% once all on-farm inspections have been completed. The...

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: My Department submitted to the EU Commission draft national legislation that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultrymeat and sheepmeat and on food products containing over 70% of these meats. My Department engaged in extensive communications with the Commission with a view to justifying and pressing the case for the proposed legislation. The Commission,...

Written Answers — Forestry Sector: Forestry Sector (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The work of COFORD will be subsumed into the Department with effect from 1 August this year. The Board of COFORD will continue to operate in an advisory capacity to the Department on the areas of forestry and forestry research.

Written Answers — Shipwreck Salvage: Shipwreck Salvage (9 Jul 2009)

Brendan Smith: The removal of boat wrecks comes under section 52 of the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 which permits a harbour authority or, in certain circumstances, a local authority to take steps to remove the wreck. Accordingly, my officials have raised this matter with the Department of Transport as the 1993 Act comes under that Department's remit.

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

Brendan Smith: The assignment of an aquaculture licence by the licensee to a third party requires the consent of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The individual in question applied on 18 September 2007 to my Department for approval to assign to another person the area in Roaringwater Bay covered by his aquaculture licence. The application was forwarded in the normal way to the...