Coveney, SimonTuesday, 28 February 2012 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
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Written Answers - Fur Farming
Was asked: if he has considered the shutting down of feral mink farms and other fur farms in the country to help eradicate the problems associated with feral mink; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
A report published by my Department in 2009 estimated the population of wild mink in the State could reach a total of between 20,500 and 33,500 individuals, and identified ground-nesting birds as the ...
Written Answers - Departmental Bodies
Was asked: his plans for the vacant Teagasc site in Navan, County Meath.
Operational matters such as this are properly the responsibility of the Teagasc Authority and not the Minister. I am advised by Teagasc that it continues to provide services from its local office on ...
Written Answers - Metrology Service
Was asked: the arrangements and procedures in place for verifying the accuracy of the weighing equipment used in meat plants for weighing carcasses of cattle, sheep and pigs for the purpose of purchasing these ...
The Legal Metrology Service of the National Standards Authority of Ireland, established under the Metrology Act of 1996, has statutory responsibility for the verification of weighing equipment in abat...
Written Answers - Fur Farming
Was asked: his policy on fur farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Review Group set up in my Department to review the issue of fur farming along specific terms of reference will conclude its report shortly. The Terms of Reference of the Group are as follows: 1. ...
Written Answers - Agricultural Exports
Was asked: if he will detail, in view of Mr. Xi Jinping’s recent identification of agriculture as one of three priority areas in scaling two-way trade and investment, the specific elements of the sector which h...
China is a key strategic market for Irish exports of food seafood and beverages and presents significant opportunities for other exports. Exports of Irish food and beverages to China are estimated in ...
Written Answers - Departmental Bodies
Was asked: the plans in place for the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton County Leitrim; if it is to be closed and services moved to Ballymote in County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties t...
Was asked: the position regarding the Teagasc office in Manorhamilton, County Leitrim; if a decision has been made by Teagasc to close this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 and 584 together. This is an operational matter for the Teagasc Authority. Teagasc is currently implementing a major ‘Change Programme’ to rationalise resource...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: when a decision will issue on an application for a hardship grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdowners who are restricted under the TB/BR Eradication Scheme during the period from the 1 November to 30 Apr...
Written Answers - Ministerial Transport
Was asked: the cost to his Department of the senior Minister's car in the period relating to 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 to include mileage and car related expenses paid to the senior Minister; if he will d...
The cost to my Department of the senior Minister’s car in the period 1 June 2011 to 31 December 2011 was €65,484.22.
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: the position regarding an outstanding single farm 2011 payment and the 2011 forestry payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2011. Payments have already been made to the person named on 17 October 2011 and 1 December 2011 in respe...
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 544 of 24 January 2012, when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €878.08 issued in respect of 2010. Payment i...
Was asked: the position regarding the agri-environment option scheme payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €1,111.55 has issued in respect of 2010. Und...
Written Answers - Commonage Division
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that re-inspection of commonage areas in County Galway to determine their forage area is currently being carried out on land prone to seasonal flooding and...
The Deputy will be aware that the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes, are fully and partially funded by the European Union. The relevant Competent Authorit...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: when a 2011 REP scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named commenced REPS in February 2009 and received payments for the first two years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subj...
Written Answers - Rural Environment Protection Scheme
Was asked: if he will outline the changes to the land classification process used by him for the agri-environment options scheme and REP scheme; if other State agencies have changed their land classification cr...
There have been no recent changes to the land classification system and the position is that only land that forms part of the utilisable agricultural area of a holding can qualify for payment under th...
Written Answers - Ministerial Transport
Was asked: the amount of mileage clocked up on a monthly basis for which expenses were claimed for all Ministers attached to his Department since March 2011; the amount claimed in mileage expenses on a monthly ...
A total of €27,508.77 in mileage expenses was incurred for the period in question. This is an aggregate total in respect of expenses attributable to myself and Minister of State Shane McEntee. The o...
Written Answers - Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
Was asked: his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a society.
It is widely recognised that the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a very important one for this country, as the total area designated as disadvantaged is almost 75% of Ireland’s total land area. From an...
Written Answers - Departmental Expenditure
Was asked: if he will provide the total amount each Minister, Minister of State and senior civil servant has spent on entertainment expenses since being appointed in the case of the Ministers and Ministers of S...
The material for reply is being co-ordinated and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
Written Answers - Agri-Environment Options Scheme
Was asked: if he has made a decision on opening the agri-environment options scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am considering the possibility of re-opening the Agri-environment Options Scheme on an amended basis or limited scale in 2012. This decision will be taken in the context of an assessment of how a ne...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: the position regarding a single farm payment for 2009, 2010 and 2011 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The person named received an advance payment of €5,158.37 on 19 October 2009 and a balancing payment of €2,060.73 issued on 1 December 2009 under the 2009 Single Payment Scheme. Following the processi...
Written Answers - Harbours and Piers
Was asked: when payment will issue to Galway County Council for works done on piers (details supplied) in Connemara; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Funding for works at the piers at both Doonloughan and Inis Ní was approved as part of my Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Development Programme for 2011. Application for payment in respect o...
Was asked: when money will be sanctioned to Galway County Council for small works on the upgrade of piers in County Galway this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Departments Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for 2012 is not yet finalised. I can confirm however, that all applications for funding made by Local Authorities in re...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: the position regarding an alleged overpayment in the 2010 disadvantaged area scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if in view of the small level of payment involved and the fact that ...
An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, following processing of this application an overpayment was identified and notified to the person name...
Written Answers - Horse Racing Ireland
Was asked: his statement that the rate of thoroughbred foal levy is calculated by reference to the advertised value of nomination fee to the stallion and Horse Racing Ireland stated rates are per covering fee w...
The Foal Levy Scheme was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, the Horse and Greyhound Racing (Betting Charges and Levies) Act, 1999, refers. The Levy is payable by all breeders whose thoroughbred ...
Written Answers - Marine Safety
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bord Iascaigh Mhara is providing subsidised marine safety training to the commercial sector, thus putting the private training companies which are Gov...
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is an independent statutory body and the main provider of vocational training to the seafood industry. I have requested a report on the issues raised by the Deputy from the ...
Written Answers - Milk Quota
Was asked: his views in relation to the proposed abolition of milk quota in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Over the past year, I and my Department have been extremely active in raising the question of an adjustment to the milk quota regime at every appropriate opportunity. We have made determined efforts ...
Written Answers - Common Agricultural Policy
Was asked: his views in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy reforms that aim to link payments to land size rather than productivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The European Commission’s proposals for the reform of the CAP post-2013 include a proposal to gradually move away from payments based on historical production towards a system of uniform national or r...
Written Answers - Rural Environment Protection Scheme
Was asked: if he is satisfied that the current funding to the REP scheme is sufficient to provide adequate protection to the environment as per the intention of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on th...
I am committed to agri-environment schemes, which put environmentally-friendly farming to the forefront and which recognise the vital role farmers play in delivering public goods for the benefit of al...
Written Answers - Departmental Funding
Was asked: if he is satisfied with the level of funding afforded to the agriculture sector to maximise the export potential from the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Despite the on-going serious difficulties in the public finances, a total funding of €1,312m is being provided in the Department’s Vote in 2012, €1,144m in current and €168m for capital expenditure. O...
Written Answers - Sale of State Assets
Was asked: if carbon credits will accrue to private leasees of Coillte forestry.
Currently carbon credits accrue only to new forests planted after 1990. It is the Government’s view that carbon credits are owned by the State, irrespective of the owner of the land. As announced by...
Was asked: if the public will have access to Coillte forestry land leased to private companies.
As announced by the Government last week, consideration will be given to the sale of some assets of Coillte, excluding the sale of land, when market conditions are favourable and at an acceptable pric...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: when a decision on an agri-environment option scheme will issue to a person (details supplied).
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment sc...
Written Answers - Global Strategic Framework
Was asked: his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding Trocaire Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April...
Written Answers - Beef Exports
Was asked: if he or his Department has had any contact with the Iranian Government in relation to the possible reopening of a beef trade with Iran; if the current situation surrounding the question of the enric...
My Department has been in touch with the Iranian authorities, though the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in furtherance of our continuing efforts to gain access to the Iranian market for Iris...
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: the position regarding a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
The application received from the person named was the subject of a Remote Sensing (i.e. Satellite Inspection). The results of this inspection indicated that over-claims existed on land parcels decla...
Was asked: the position regarding the REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment sch...
Written Answers - Global Strategic Framework
Was asked: his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The first discussions on the Global Strategic Framework will be held at the FAO Regional Conferences. The European Regional Conference, which my Department will be attending, will take place in April ...
Written Answers - Departmental Advertising
Was asked: the number and costs of advertisements placed in national newspapers for job vacancies in the civil and public service in the past 12 months; the number of new entrants recruited from the process; th...
My Department has not placed any advertisements for job vacancies in national newspapers in the past 12 months.
Written Answers - Grant Payments
Was asked: if he will provide an update on the outstanding 2011 agri-environment option scheme payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010 and full payment totalling €578.69 has issued in respect of 2010. Payment in r...
Was asked: the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named submitted erroneous dates for three animals under the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Following an appeal by the applicant, the case was reviewed and the circumstances as outlined were ...
Written Answers - Appointments to State Boards
Was asked: if any State board appointees have volunteered to waive their fee or expenses; the names of such persons; the corresponding savings to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
There are currently 12 State Bodies (listed below) that fall under the aegis of my Department. Queries regarding the waiver of fees or expenses issued to Board members should be addressed to the Stat...
Written Answers - Ministerial Transport
Was asked: if he will provide a breakdown of costs incurred in the provision of transport to Cabinet Ministers in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The payments made by the Department in 2011 in respect of my transport costs and those of my predecessor, Mr Brendan Smith TD, are set out in the following table: Notes: Note 1 The system for the prov...
| Last Updated: 08/03/2013 15:48:13 |
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