Austin Deasy
Question:102 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of a ewe premium to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and when payment will issue.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The first instalment of the 1991 ewe premium was paid to the person named on 20 September 1991. There was no particular delay in payment.
Ivan Yates
Question:103 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has received his full entitlement of the first instalment of the ewe subsidy payment in view of the fact that he has lands in a disadvantaged area; and if he will outline his entitlements.
As the person named has over 50 per cent of his land in the disadvantaged areas, he will receive the additional four ECU premium on his 650 ewes and a further payment to reflect the fact that he can now be paid full premium instead of half premium on the 150 eligible ewes over and above 500 together with his third and final instalment of 1991 ewe premium.
It has been hoped to make these payments to applicants in the new disadvantaged areas with the second instalment of 1991 ewe premium. However, in the light of the income difficulties facing sheep producers, I successfully requested the EC Commission to take the necessary action to enable me to pay that instalment earlier than has been originally scheduled. It would not have been possible to make those early payments if the adjustments consequent upon the extension of the disadvantaged areas had also to be made simultaneously.
Edward Nealon
Question:104 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if arrangements have been made to have all headage payments made to farmers before Christmas of this year.
Edward Nealon
Question:105 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the promised increases in headage payments for cattle and sheep will be paid irrespective of any renegotiation of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
As the Deputy will be aware from his own time in my Department, it has never been possible to pay all headage grants by 31 December in any year. Nevertheless, I can assure him that as many 1991 headage grants as possible will be paid this year and that the increases he mentions will be decided on as soon as possible also.