Michael Finucane
Question:215 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cow suckler premium and beef premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
This applicant has already been paid his 1990 beef cow and equines headage scheme grant. His 1990 special beef premium and suckler cow premium schemes grants are being processed and payment will issue shortly.
John Connor
Question:216 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the percentage of the following livestock grants in the 1990 schemes due as income supports to farmers in County Roscommon which remained unpaid at 31 December 1990 (1) cattle headage, (2) sheep headage, (3) beef cow scheme, (4) suckler cow premiums, (5) beef premium and (6) ewe premium; and the measures he intends to put in place to eliminate the delays in these payments in 1991 and future years.
The percentages of applicants unpaid at 31 December 1990 under the various schemes mentioned by the Deputy are as follows: cattle and equines headages, 27 per cent; sheep and goat headage, Nil; beef cow and equines headage, 32 per cent; suckler cow premium; 30 per cent; special beef premium, 75 per cent; and ewe premium, 3 per cent.
There has been a substantial improvement throughout the country in the amounts of payments made under these schemes at 31 December 1990 as compared to the same date in 1989 and I intend to ensure that this improvement is maintained in future. There has been a technical problem in regard to the payments under the special beef premium which it is hoped to overcome shortly.