Vol. 462 No. 4
21 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the brief and terms of reference given to the public relations firms and consultancies engaged by his Department in 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/96]
The following is the information requested:
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Purpose of Consultancy |
Terms of Reference |
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1. |
Public relations |
To project the policy of the Department and of the Government on all aspects of agriculture. |
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To advise on matters of publicity and layout of Departmental publications. |
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To attend to other matters relating to good public relations. |
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2. |
Cattle Breeding Sector |
To examine the cattle breeding industry. |
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To recommend a new organisational structure conducive to an effective and efficient industry-led cattle breeding improvement programme. |
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To prepare a five year development and investment plan for cattle breeding under the new structure, and |
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To identify possible sources of commercial/industry funding to implement the plan. |
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3. |
Meat Inspection Service |
To establish what proportion of the overall cost of Department staff deployed at meat plants is represented by activities unrelated to EU legislation on veterinary and hygiene standards and international markets. |
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To determine what constitutes meat inspection activity. |
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To make practicable recommendations on the proper provision of an inspection service in line with EU and other requirements. |
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To quantify the cost of providing a service which is both effective and efficient. |
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4. |
Beef Intervention |
To undertake an independent deboning exercise as per the EU beef intervention specification (for use in support of the Department's position in relation to a proposed EU disallowance). |
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5. |
Information Technology |
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(a)Animal Movement Permit and Headage Project |
To provide the Department with a refined plan for the Animal Movement Permit and Headage Project based on evaluation of the current status and on an examination of alternative options for proceeding. |
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(b)Geographical Information System (GIS) |
To advise the Department in relation to the development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) based Land Parcel Identification System as required under the Integrated Administration and Control System. |
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6. |
Animal Welfare: |
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(a)Independent Zoo expert |
To act as consultant on zoo animal welfare and to make recommendations, as appropriate, in order to assist the Department in monitoring animal welfare at Dublin Zoo. |
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(b)Marine Surveyors |
To advise the Department on the marine and technical aspects of livestock vessels trading from Ireland. |
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To advise on the preparation of appropriate Regulations for the carriage of cattle by sea. |
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To advise Department Veterinary Inspectors and Department of Marine Surveyors in ongoing inspections of livestock vessels |
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7. |
Agricultural Structures |
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(a)Evaluation of the Compensatory Allowance Scheme (Headage Payments) |
To fulfil a commitment under the Community Support Framework for Ireland: 1994-1999 under the Structural Funds by carrying out an evaluation of the Compensatory Allowance Scheme and to make recommendations in regard to its operation and relevance, particularly to low income farmers, the impact on the environment and the simplification of administrative procedures. |
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(b)Independent Analysis on Actual Preparation Hours required by TEAGASC for its Adult Training Programmes. |
To assess the actual time spent by TEAGASC in preparation for its 1992 Adult Training Programme (the purpose of which is to support a claim for reimbursement of EU funds). |
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8. |
Forestry |
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(a)Provision of Technical Assistance |
The provision of technical assistance to develop revised administrative procedures for the implementation of EU assisted afforestation and premium schemes. |
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(b)Provision of Technical Assistance |
The provision of technical assistance in relation to the specification and development of a National Forest Inventory and Indicative Forest Strategy and to assist in the technical implementation of EU assisted forestry programmes. |
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9. |
Provision of Management Expertise |
To assist the Department's Reorganisation Group in reviewing Departmental structures with a view to organisational change through the separation of policy and executive functions. |
