Results 14,301-14,320 of 18,341 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (9 Jun 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. Payment of the initial 40% to farmers approved for payment will begin this week and will continue as claims...

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

Brendan Smith: The REPS 4 application for the person named was received on 5th September 2008 with a start date of 1 January 2009. Under EU Regulations, payment on any individual REPS 4 application for 2009 cannot be made until completion of administrative and area checks on all applications received up to the closing date of 15 May 2009. At that stage 75% of the payment to each participant can be...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The EU Nitrates Directive, implemented in Ireland by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 (SI no. 101 of 2009), requires that the total amount of livestock manure applied to land in any calendar year must not contain more than 170 kgs of nitrogen per hectare. Non-compliance with the Regulations, such as exceeding the 170 kgs nitrogen...

Written Answers — Farm Waste Management: Farm Waste Management (9 Jun 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 — EU Regulations: EU Regulations (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Nitrates Regulations (S.I. No. 101 of 2009) are a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance. The objective of the Regulations is to protect water quality and the various provisions are designed to control the management of fertilisers, including the timing, method of application and maximum amounts that may be applied, in order to...

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

Brendan Smith: The Cawley report – Steering A New Course is the national strategic plan for the Irish fishing industry and the wider seafood sector. The review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) will also have a determining factor on the future of the Irish fishing industry. In relation to the Cawley report, the Seafood Strategy Implementation Group (SSIG) was set up in 2007 under the chairmanship of...

Written Answers — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Following the Supplementary Budget in April and the subsequent reduction in the annual forestry premium I have received a number of suggestions from forestry industry representatives for maintaining confidence in the sector. Several proposals have been made including one of the nature referred to by the Deputy. All proposals are being examined but will of course be subject to the budgetary...

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

Brendan Smith: Funds have been allocated for the renewal of the existing West Wharf Timber Skids also referred to as the grid, as part of the ongoing Safety and Maintenance Programme of works at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre. My Department's Engineering Division will shortly engage in consultation with the various harbour users in order to agree a suitable time to carry out the works in 2009.

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

Brendan Smith: The pier at Scraggane, Castlegregory is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its operation, maintenance and development rests with that local authority. My Department has however in the past provided funding towards works to upgrade and extend the pier under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Kerry County Council has not submitted an...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (9 Jun 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 — Afforestation Programme: Afforestation Programme (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Although the Deputy refers to "forestry grants" I presume that he is referring to the recent decision to reduce the annual forestry premium by 8%. The Supplementary Budget in April reduced the funding available for the Forestry Programme in 2009 and it was necessary for my Department to ensure that this allocation is spent as effectively and efficiently as possible. I decided to maintain the...

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

Brendan Smith: An application was received on the 15 May 2008 requesting the transfer of 12.42 Single Payment Scheme entitlements to the person named from his late father. As the person named was not the legal owner of a herd-number, he was advised to contact his District Veterinary Office to request the transfer of the herd-number from his late father to himself. As the requested transfer of entitlements...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of human resources, are the responsibility of the company.

Written Answers — Animal Diseases: Animal Diseases (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: EU legislation governing intra community trade in cattle prescribes the conditions for trade and these rules also apply to the importation of water buffaloes from the UK. All cattle imported into Ireland from the UK must be accompanied by an official health certificate from DEFRA as the competent authority of the exporting country confirming that the animals have undergone all appropriate...

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

Brendan Smith: The person named has 13 animals for consideration under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme. To date, nine have qualified for payment, and payments totalling €720 have issued. The remaining four have not been paid. Under the rules of the scheme, a gradual weaning procedure must be followed and from the records provided, it appears that it was not followed in this case. An officer from my...

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

Brendan Smith: This person's case has been reviewed and payment will issue shortly.

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

Brendan Smith: My Department is responsible for the operation of EU harmonized controls on imports of products of animal origin for human consumption. These are applied under its service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and in compliance with the Community's rules for the hygiene of food and feed. The FSAI, under service contracts with its official agencies, including this...

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

Brendan Smith: Subject to remaining within the level of resources available to Teagasc the delivery of a REPS service is an operational matter for Teagasc itself. The REPS planners are employed on temporary fixed term contracts by Teagasc. The recently announced moratorium on Public Service recruitment prevents Teagasc from renewing such contracts. I understand that Teagasc propose to tender for...

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

Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant under the Installation Aid Scheme. My Department is still waiting on the information requested from the person concerned and his application cannot be processed further until this information is received.

Written Answers — Meat Processing Sector: Meat Processing Sector (9 Jun 2009)

Brendan Smith: In 2008 my Department awarded particular financial support to the small meat sector, which includes small slaughterhouses and low throughput meat establishments. Following a call for applications in December 2007, and a detailed selection and evaluation process in 2008, my Department awarded a total of €7.8m in grant assistance to 31 enterprises. This funding will assist food business...