Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 7

Written Answers. - Headage Grants.

Edward Nealon

Question:

128 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the estimated total livestock units which are likely to qualify for headage grants in 1991 in (a) the existing disadvantaged areas and (b) the proposed extension of the disadvantaged areas; the total headage payments in the existing disadvantaged areas in 1989-1990 and 1990-1991; the average headage payment to herd owners in 1989-1990 and 1990-1991; and the number of herd owners who qualified for headage grants in 1989-1990 and 1990-1991.

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

It is estimated that 1,480,000 livestock units are likely to qualify for headage payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme in the existing disadvantaged areas for 1991 and that 330,000 livestock units are likely to qualify in the proposed extension, assuming that all the areas submitted to the EC for inclusion are accepted.

The total disadvantaged areas headage payments in existing disadvantaged areas for 1989-90, the average headage payment to herdowners and the number of herdowners who qualified are given in the following table, together with estimates for 1990-91.

Scheme	Total Payments	Average Payment	Number of Herdowners
	£m	£
1989 Cattle Headage Scheme	39	.5	662	59,700
1989 Beef Cow Scheme	7	.4	530	13,950
1989 Sheep Headage Scheme	14	.13	528	26,750
1989 Equines Headage Scheme	0	.18	121	1,490
1989 Goat Headage Scheme	0	.025	45	550
1990 Cattle Headage Scheme	14	.5	675	64,500
1990 Beef Cow Scheme	8	.8	568	15,500
1990 Sheep Headage Scheme	16	.7	550	30,400
1990 Equines Headage Scheme	0	.2	125	1,600
1990 Goat Headage Scheme	0	.035	41	850

Note: All figures for 1990 schemes are estimates since payments for these schemes are ongoing.

Edward Nealon

Question:

129 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the extra £19 million for headage grant increases announced in the budget includes the percentage that will be recovered later from the EC; and if so, if he will outline the final percentage to be borne by the Exchequer.

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

The extra £19 million announced in the budget for headage grant increases includes the percentage which will be recovered later from the EC. The final percentage to be borne by the EC will be 65 per cent.

Edward Nealon

Question:

130 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the proportion of the extra £19 million provided for increases in headage rates in 1991 which will be required to pay headage grants in the proposed extension of the disadvantaged areas scheme where headage was not paid previously.

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

It is estimated that a third of the extra funds announced in the budget will be required to pay headage grants in disadvantaged areas where headage was not paid previously.