Results 15,161-15,180 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment in respect of 7 animals should issue to this applicant in the near future. A number of issues have arisen in relation to the other 5 animals applied for and officials from my Department will contact the person named in this regard.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Payment will issue to the person named within the next ten days.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: There is no record in my Department of the receipt of an application under the Suckler Welfare Scheme from the person named.

Written Answers — Dairy Sector: Dairy Sector (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: We are facing an unprecedented situation in the dairy sector at present and the outlook for dairy markets in the short term is poor. Following historically high prices in 2007 and early 2008 a market correction is now taking place and there is a further complication of the credit crunch. These two factors have put an enormous burden on the sector and resulted in a slump in demand. In...

Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: I am not in a position to confirm that payments will continue to be made under the suckler cow welfare scheme. The Government has decided, having regard to the urgent need to address the public finances, to introduce a supplementary budget in the Dáil on 7 April next. Over 53,000 farmers applied for the suckler cow welfare scheme in 2008. The estimated cost of the scheme for that year, at...

Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: I share Deputy Sherlock's view that this is a good scheme. It has proven beneficial during the year in which it has been in existence. As I said in response to a question asked on a previous occasion by Deputy Sherlock or Deputy Creed, it is intended to honour the commitment — to provide €250 million over five years — that was made when the suckler cow welfare scheme was introduced....

Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: I can accept the valuable point that has been made by Deputy Creed about the need to modulate limited resources in a targeted manner.

Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Members of this House have also proposed a reduction in the number of years of participation in the scheme. Although the suckler cow welfare scheme is entirely funded from the Exchequer, the Government had to get state aid approval from the EU before it could be introduced. Further approval would be needed from the Union if a major variation in the conditions of the scheme were to be made....

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: We have an unprecedented situation in the dairy sector at present and the outlook for dairy markets in the short term is poor. Market prices have been adjusting following historically high prices in 2007 and early 2008 and there is the further complication of the credit crunch. These two factors have put an enormous burden on the sector and we have seen a slump in demand as a consequence....

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: We all share the same views outlined by Deputy Creed. I understand he outlined a similar viewpoint at a previous question time. There are particular difficulties and we know the price being quoted now by the different co-ops and processors, and the difficulties that poses for farmers. I know the co-operatives and processors also face difficulties. Regarding the quantity mentioned, to be...

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: It is not just now that we recognise the difficulties which will face this sector this year. We know historically about the welcome increase in prices in 2007 and the early part of 2008 and the subsequent major surge in supply onto the world market. The dollar, New Zealand currency and other factors all play a role in making it difficult for Europe to sell product. The prices, as all of us...

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: I met Commissioner Fischer Boel in Brussels on 11 March to discuss the dairy situation and explore the options open to us to restore market confidence. In particular, I had two main issues to press her on. The first was the requirement to continue to buy butter into intervention at prices close to the fixed price level. The second was to stress the need to export larger quantities of...

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Some member states raised the possibility of revisiting the Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy. I vehemently oppose such proposals. Last week I travelled to Germany to meet the German Minister. Germany has strongly advocated additional support for the dairy sector. However, it also favours revisiting the Health Check. As I said, we strongly oppose that proposal. During the...

Dairy Sector. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: There is a provision in the Health Check for a review of its measures in 2010. Some member states have proposed that this review be brought forward to 2009. As I said, I do not support this proposal. We must be careful not to send out a message that Europe is chopping and changing policy. That would lead to instability. We must look to the situation of the processor or individual farmer...

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The arrangements for payment of grants under the farm waste management scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed, with 40% being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40% will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20% in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex gratia payment not exceeding 3.5% of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers...

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Provision will be made in the Revised Estimates to meet the commitments we have given to those farmers who are due grant payments under the farm waste management scheme. So far this year, of the 40% to be paid, almost €66 million has issued to almost 5,000 farmers. Departmental officials at local level are carrying out inspections as expeditiously as possible in order to ensure that...

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: This represents the largest infrastructural investment ever made——

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy should be interested——

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: This is the largest infrastructural investment ever made in on-farm facilities. It is funded entirely by the Exchequer. Grant aid of 70% in some areas and 60% in others was provided.

Farm Waste Management. (24 Mar 2009)

Brendan Smith: Moreover, the maximum eligible investment ceiling was increased and the scheme was extended to include other sectors previously denied access to on-farm investment schemes. I assure Deputy Creed that the 40% payment to all eligible applicants will be made in the course of this year.