Results 16,701-16,720 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am just pointing out that over the past number of years there have been increases in different programmes. When resources were available, decisions were made to increase the level of funding towards particular programmes. Deputies may wish to dismiss an 8% increase as insignificant but I would not regard it as so for those in receipt of such payments.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Does Deputy Sherlock want to take that as the same question?
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: That is fine. Additional information not given on the floor of the House. My approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to focus available resources on the measures that allow us to maintain and grow the productive capacity of the agrifood sector. The 2009 Estimates provide over â¬1.8 billion for my Department, and, when combined with EU funding of â¬1.4 billion, total...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: As I outlined in previous responses, this particular payment is one of a number that are made by the Department. Some agricultural programmes are funded by the Exchequer, while others are funded by the European Union. In 2009, some â¬44 million will be provided for the suckler cow welfare scheme, â¬220 million for the disadvantaged areas scheme, â¬355 million for the rural environment...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Deputy Sherlock queried, understandably, the level of financial commitment to the agricultural industry. All of those schemes are important. This year alone â¬377 million was devoted to the farm waste management scheme. These are all important measures for farmers. We cannot ignore the substantial funding both from the Exchequer and from the European Union this year, which will continue...
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Unfortunately we had to make a decision to reduceââ
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: There are 102,000 farmers in the disadvantaged area scheme.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: This measure or reduction in the payment applies to farms greater than 34 hectares. The average size of a family farm in Ireland is 31 hectares. The reduction in expenditure kicks in atââ
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: I am fully aware of that. The decision was made and will result in a loss to those individuals.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: More than 60,000 will not be affected by this measure.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Every sector wishes to contribute at a time when there are particular difficulties, but I have not heard any suggestion of an alternative from anyone here or anywhere else.
- Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. (30 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: At least two Deputies referred to the 1% levy. In the aftermath of the budget I discussed the issue with individual farmers, colleagues in the Oireachtas and farm organisations. I then spoke to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, about the imposition of the 1% levy and how it might affect the farming community. The issues of taxation and the 1% levy will be finalised in the...
- Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Ardmore Harbour is owned by Waterford County Council and responsibility for its upgrade and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. In late 2007, all coastal Local Authorities were asked to submit applications for priority harbour development projects to be included in my Department's Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for 2008. The...
- Written Answers — Installation Aid Scheme: Installation Aid Scheme (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: All valid applications made under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme and received by my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 will be processed and, if in order, payment will be made. The possibility of reintroducing the scheme can be considered in the context of the preparation of the Annual Estimates next year and beyond, at which time any changes to the terms of the scheme...
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The person named is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. Payment will be made by my Department to the person concerned shortly.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Applications for the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS3) 2007 and the Young Farmers' Installation Aid Scheme received in my Department on 14 October 2008 will be processed, and if they are in order payment will be made.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The person concerned is an applicant for aid under the Young Farmers' Installation Scheme. His application for payment is currently being examined within my Department and the outcome will be notified to the person concerned as soon as possible.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: An application under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received in this case on 15 May 2008. This application has now been fully processed and payment in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will issue in the coming days, while the 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue shortly thereafter.
- Written Answers — Foreshore Licences: Foreshore Licences (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: Two Foreshore Leases have been granted for offshore generating stations in Irish waters as follows. In January 2002 a lease was granted to Sure Partners Ltd for the construction of a 200 turbine wind farm on the Arklow Banks. The maximum allowable height for the turbines in this project is 100 m tip to sea level. Each turbine will have a capacity of 2.5 MW. In November 2005, a lease was...
- Written Answers — Farm Retirement Scheme: Farm Retirement Scheme (29 Oct 2008)
Brendan Smith: The Early Retirement Scheme was suspended for new applications with effect from 15 October 2008. Applications received in my Department up to and including 14 October 2008 will be processed as normal.