Results 18,121-18,140 of 23,978 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheepmeat Sector (7 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 533. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applicants to the new sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5610/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Census (7 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 534. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the 2016 sheep census deadline, in view of the information technology issues being encountered by sheep farmers informing them that the 31 January deadline had passed, thereby preventing them from submitting their flock data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5611/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Payments (7 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 552. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the information technology issues which he has indicated are partly responsible for the delay in over 9,000 farmers receiving their GLAS payments; the exact nature of these issues; the efforts his Department has made to resolve them; the reason they have not been resolved at this stage of the scheme; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Staff Data (7 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 680. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to set out the total number of full-time and part-time staff in the trade policy section in her Department; the staff increases she is considering for 2017 to deal with developments around an impending Brexit; if any staff requests were made in 2016 to strengthen resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5518/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: It should be complementing the tillage crisis.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: I would have believed that the whole idea of having an IT system was to have one that is fit for purpose such that it does not have to be revisited every time one comes up against a problem. One should not need to come up with bespoke amendments to the IT system to try to deal with the job that must be done by it. As I stated, there are 9,000 farmers in GLAS still awaiting payment, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 6. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department failed to meet its commitment to make GLAS and AEOS payments in December 2016; the total number of GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 farmers that have received 85% of their total 2016 payment; the number of farmers that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting their 2016 payment; the total number of GLAS and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: Will the Minister explain why his Department failed to meet its commitment to make GLAS and AEOS payments on time in December 2016 and outline the number of GLAS 1, GLAS 2 and AEOS applicants who have received 85% of their payments to date and when the remaining applicants can expect payment?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Scheme Payments (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: It is unacceptable that it is now February 2017 and some 9,000 of the farmers who were promised by the Minister and his Department under the farmers charter that they would receive 85% of their GLAS payments in October last year have still not received their first payment. I asked the Minister for specifics on why this has happened. According to the Minister's reply, the Department was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: Rather than alluding to obstacles or setting out reasons precluding such measures, the Minister should recognise the importance of the beef industry and the pressure it is under. All politicians should work with the farming community to ensure supports are introduced to sustain the national suckler herd. The average income of the 64,000 farmers who produce calves from the suckler herd is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: It is time the Minister stopped bluffing farmers about the Government's approach to the rural development programme. I have stated on several occasions that the Department is significantly underspending the allocation for the rural development programme. As matters stand, the Department is on course to record an underspend of €400 million in GLAS by the end of 2020. That figure is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: I was specific. I pointed out the significant underspend in the rural development programme.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister is way behind on his domestic commitments. He has not lived up to his promises and he should acknowledge that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: I have been crystal clear.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: The Minister must live up to the commitments he and his predecessor made on rural development programme expenditure.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 3. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider introducing a €200 annual payment for suckler cows to ensure the sustainability of the national herd; if he will reallocate unspent funds under the rural development programme for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5065/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Agriculture Schemes (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: Will the Minister consider introducing a €200 annual payment for suckler cows to sustain the national herd and if he will reallocate unspent funds under the rural development programme for this purpose?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: 1. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the process of reviewing qualifying areas for the areas of natural constraint scheme; if his Department has completed the mapping exercise; when the maps will be published; the consultation that will be undertaken with farmers on the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5064/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: I ask the Minister for an update on the process of reviewing qualifying areas where the areas of natural constraint, ANC, scheme, whether his Department completed the mapping exercise, when the maps will be published, what consultation will be undertaken with farmers on the review and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (2 Feb 2017)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Minister for the response. As I am sure he is well aware, there is much concern in the farming community in regard to this review. The ANC payment can amount to about €4,000 for many farmers across the country. It is particularly important in more disadvantaged areas. I hoped that the Minister would be able to give me some new information regarding the process. We have...