Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 8

Written Answers. - Agriculture Grants.

John Connor

Question:

109 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, having regard to the unprecedented fall in income among farmers in disadvantaged areas who are eligible for headage, beef premium and other EC income supports in the current year, he will take steps to ensure that they will not lose any of these grants or supports because they were either late in submitting their applications, made some technical error in their application or were unable for good reason to comply with the compliance time stipulations attached to these schemes.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. O'Kennedy)

I have already taken steps to ensure that as few farmers as possible miss the opportunity of obtaining livestock grants this year. On 15 November I extended the closing date for the cattle and equines headage schemes in disadvantaged areas, the EC special beef premium scheme and the EC suckler cow premium scheme from 13 July to 3 August 1990. For control reasons, 3 August was the latest possible date to which the extension could be given.

Concessions have been obtained from the EC Commission in regard to the operation of the EC special beef premium scheme, which will result in applications which would otherwise be rejected now being accepted for payment.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the maximum number of applications are acceptable for payment. As always, however, there will be a small number of cases in which EC regulations have been breached and in which no payment will be possible.