asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was not paid headage money when in fact his Department in Cork indicated to him in writing that he was in the disadvantaged area since 25 June 1985; and if he is not being paid, the reason he was informed he was in this area in June.
Written Answers. - Grant Payment.
136.
The reason my Department indicated in June 1985 to the person named that he was in a disadvantaged area was to inform him of his entitlement to a reduction in the milk co-responsibility levy from a current date in 1985. It was not, however, possible to pay 1985 headage grants in the extended areas from a current date in 1985 even if the necessary additional Exchequer funds had been available. The reasons for this are that disadvantaged areas schemes operate on a calendar year basis and the 1985 application forms for sheep, cattle and beef cow headage had already been issued, sheep inspections had been completed and cattle inspections had commenced by the time (27 June 1985) the extended list of disadvantaged areas had been approved in Brussels. Both flockowners and herdowners in the area concerned can, of course, apply for headage grants under the 1986 disadvantaged areas schemes.