Vol. 525 No. 5
326 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if the compensation for destocking in 2000 will be higher than in 1999 due to the fact that sheep returns were better this year than last year. [25732/00]
327 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands whether all sheep destocked will be paid on in the same way as the 1999 Dúchas national compensation scheme in the six counties with degraded areas. [25733/00]
328 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when compensation will be paid to those farmers who destocked their sheep numbers by 30%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25734/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 328, inclusive, together.
I can confirm that it is intended to pay another round of compensation, similar to that paid by my Department in December 1999, to those farmers who participated in the compulsory 30% destocking of sheep. It is anticipated that figures as to the amount of compensation payable will be finalised shortly and it is intended that payments will be made around the end of November.
While final figures are not yet available, it is anticipated that adjustments in the value of premia will, more or less, balance any increase in the market value of sheep. The levels of compensation per head this year will, therefore, be approximately the same as those paid in 1999.
I am not clear as to what the Deputy means by his reference to "all sheep destocked". The compensation payments which have been made by my Department to date are in respect of those farmers in the six western counties of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Leitrim, Galway and Kerry who took part in the compulsory 30% reduction in sheep numbers. It does not apply to any other destocking scheme.
