CAP, broadband, bioenergy and water research all feature in this issue of “News Bites”, a sample of local, national and international “news bites” that are hopefully of interest to you, our readers.
- IFA meet MEPs about CAP
- EU Commission processes record number of broadband projects
- Official Opening of Water Research Facility
- Minister Smith Confirms Arrangements for Dealing with Farm Retirement Scheme Applications
- More than half of all jobs for young men have disappeared
- Teagasc Bioenergy Events
IFA meet MEPs about CAP
IFA met MEPs in Dublin on the future of the EU farm budget, IFA Chief Economist Rowena Dwyer said there must be a fully-funded, index-linked CAP budget post-2013. In addition, the Single Farm Payment must be directed to supporting active farmers, on a historical basis as currently operates. [Read more ...]
EU Commission processes record number of broadband projects
A record number of Member State aid measures to support the installation of broadband networks have been approved by the European Commission in 2009 since the adoption by the Commission in September 2009 of Guidelines for the assessment of broadband projects under EU state aid rules. With a view to supporting economic recovery and the long term competitiveness of Europe, the guidelines provide an overview on how Member States can support broadband networks without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market and helped to accelerate the decision making process. [Read more ...]
Official Opening of Water Research Facility
The new NUI Galway Water Research Facility at Tuam, Co. Galway has officially opened. Core funding to establish the facility was provided by the EPA through its STRIVE Research Programme, and by NUI Galway. EPA Director, Laura Burke said, “With a rising population and increasing requirements for improved water quality, there is a real need to develop and optimise waste water treatment systems, especially for villages and small towns. I expect that this facility will play a strong role in developing new indigenous solutions to protect the environment and deliver economic growth.” [Read more ...]
Minister Smith Confirms Arrangements for Dealing with Farm Retirement Scheme Applications
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, confirmed his Department’s arrangements for processing applications for the Scheme of Early Retirement from Farming, which were submitted in September and October 2009. The Minister said that when he re-opened the Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) in September 2009, his priority was to accommodate those farmers who had been on the point of applying for the Scheme when it was closed in October 2008. [Read more ...]
More than half of all jobs for young men have disappeared
The latest Live Register figures highlight two dimensions of unemployment that cannot go ignored: regional differences and unemployment of young men. For Ireland to develop sustainably, the economy needs to be able to create jobs for its young. For Ireland to develop anything like the model of regional balance envisaged in various policy documents such as Towards 2016, it also needs to be able to create jobs outside Dublin. [Read more ...]
Teagasc Bioenergy Events
Two important bioenergy events are taking place next week. An Energy Crops Harvesting Demonstration and Technical Information Day will take place in Carlow on Tuesday, 16 February. On Thursday, 18 February, the National Bioenergy Conference will take place in the Tipperary Institute, in Thurles. [Read more ...]
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