Results 18,881-18,900 of 40,897 for speaker:Simon Coveney

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Young Farmers Scheme (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The 2015 National Reserve fund was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and provided some €24 million in funding which was the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU Regulations. When finalised there will be some 6,000 successful applicants under the 2015 National Reserve. As all of the National Reserve Funding will likely have been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 2 September 2015. During this inspection non-compliances...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Premium Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The application by the person named under the native woodland element of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is still under consideration in my Department. On 8 April 2016 my Department wrote to the registered forester representing the applicant requesting that the application be revised to exclude certain unsuitable areas. Once this revised application is received the matter will be...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 September 2011. Payment has issued in respect of the 2011-2015 Scheme year. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place. Following the completion of these checks the 2015 scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Special Areas of Conservation Designation (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The designation of Hen Harrier habitat under the Birds Directive is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the first instance. Farmed areas identified to my Department by that Department as Hen Harrier habitat to be protected are given priority access to the GLAS scheme. While it is not within my remit to alter areas identified by the Department of Arts, Heritage...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Qualifications (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: In accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications of veterinary practitioners from the EU or third countries.  The Veterinary Practice Act provides for the mutual recognition of qualifications in veterinary medicine within the EU and for mutual recognition agreements between...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: I along with my officials, have been very active in recent months in highlighting the potentially very damaging impact of a Mercosur deal on the European agriculture sector, and on the beef sector in particular. At political level, I have continuously raised the issue with my Member State colleagues and with Commissioners Malmström and Hogan, both within the Council of Agriculture...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The conditions under which circus animals are kept and managed come under the scope of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which contains rules relating to the welfare of all animals and requires a person having an animal under his or her control to safeguard and not endanger the health and welfare of the animal. The circus referred to was inspected by Veterinary Inspectors of my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Payments (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The position in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening in 2015 is as follows. My Department has received some 126,000 applications under the 2015 BPS from applicants who currently hold entitlements. Under EU Regulations, all these applications are subject to robust administrative checks prior to payment. The work of my Department in this critical area must meet demanding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Scheme Appeals (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application under the ‘Old Young Farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. This application was not successful as the applicant was deemed to have commenced farming prior to 2008. On this basis the person named does not meet the eligibility criteria under the National Reserve ‘Old Young Farmer’ category. The person named was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The basic 2014 REPS4 payment due to the person named was made in March 2015. Penalties were imposed in relation to this payment which meant that the amount was reduced significantly. The Department is conducting a full review of the penalties imposed in this case. It is expected that this review will be concluded within the next two weeks. At that stage, the person named will be informed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel, comprising of 7,520 Army, 886 Air Corps and 1,094 Naval Service as stated in the 2015 White Paper on Defence. The manpower requirement of the Defence Forces is monitored on an ongoing basis in accordance with the operational requirements of each of the three services, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Allowances (26 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: Rates of remuneration and conditions of employment in the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to relative levels of pay across the various sectors of the Irish public sector. The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts of 2009-201 5 and the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement) define current pay policy. Under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry Development (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the important role that Naas and County Kildare play in the Irish agri-food sector and the contribution to growth and employment made by companies based there in relation to prepared consumer foods, meat, dairy, bakery and confectionery, as well as the investment by an Irish food multinational in a Global Technology and Innovation Centre in Naas. Food Wise 2025 which was...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: In Budget 2014, the Government announced that in conjunction with the Inter Departmental Marine Co-ordination Group, a review of the financial and taxation supports available to the Marine Sector would be carried out, to examine strategic measures which could be introduced to help Ireland as an island nation to fulfil its potential in the marine area. Phase 1 of this review involved an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Data Programme (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application to join the 2014 Beef Genomics Scheme (BGS) on the 20 March 2014 and registered fifty nine calves under the Scheme. Eligibility has been established for fifty six of these animals. The other three animals are not eligible for payment. Payment is only made in respect of one of each set of twins and as two sets of twins were born in the herd that...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: I am aware of the reports. Once appropriate animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally, including to China. Exporters are required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport. My Department understands that Bord na gCon is making enquiries to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: The person named submitted an application for allocation of entitlements under the ‘Scottish Derogation’ measure of the Basic Payment Scheme. Under EU Regulations governing the Basic Payment scheme, processing of applications involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted. The checks are now complete and the application has now been...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Payments (21 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: An application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 13 May 2015. Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraint application has recently been finalised and payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly. No valid Single Payment Scheme or Basic Payment Scheme entitlements have been held by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 Apr 2016)

Simon Coveney: Approval to fund a reconstitution scheme for forests affected by the winter storms of 2013/2014 was sought by my Department from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has sought further information on the impacts of such a scheme on the insurance market for forestry and also on other issues of concern. My Department is currently...