Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

181 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a payment will be made under the area aid scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if all papers are in order. [7969/02]

Charles Flanagan

Question:

202 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reasons for the delay in issuing payment of area aid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8239/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 202 together.

The person named was paid €887.92, £699.29 on 18 December 2001 under the area-based compensatory allowance scheme in respect of 4.05 hectares of less severely handicapped land at €76.18, £60 per hectare and including an additional sum of €579.39, £456.31 under a compensation package agreed with the European Commission for farmers experiencing losses under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme. The additional sum is equal to 90% of the difference between the average sum of the headage payments to the person named under the 1998, 1999 and 2000 headage schemes and the amount payable under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme.

The person named submitted maps with his area aid application covering land which overlapped with the land of another herd owner. This matter was taken up with the herd owner and it was subsequently established that he had made a genuine error with the maps he had submitted. His area aid application has now been processed without penalty and an area of 29.98 hectares, comprised of 4.05 hectares less severely handicapped land and 25.93 non-disadvantaged land, has been determined for payment purposes. Any outstanding area linked payments due to him will issue shortly.

The person named submitted two applications, in October and December respectively, under the 2001 special beef premium scheme. The October application was selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 17 December 2001. Advance payment will issue in respect of the 30 animals on that application within the next two weeks. Advance payment will issue in respect of the December application at the end of March, subject to compliance with retention requirements of the scheme.

Brendan Kenneally

Question:

182 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a suckler cow premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7970/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

The person named applied for premium for 35 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. Following a herd inspection on 8 November 2001 the herdowner was informed that due to non-compliance with the identification and registration requirements no payment could be made under the 2001 scheme. The applicant successfully appealed this decision and on 5 February 2002 was informed that his application would be processed for payment on the basis of 35 animals. Payment of his 100% entitlement will issue within the next ten days.

Paul Bradford

Question:

183 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a special beef premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and the amount due to this person. [7971/02]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

The person named submitted one application in respect of 22 animals under the 2001 special beef premium scheme. Payment totalling €2,472.00 in respect of 22 animals will issue to the person named within the next two weeks.