Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 8

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Edward Nealon

Question:

224 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (a) the total amount paid in last year's ewe premiums to all farmers in the country and (b) the estimated figure for this year, as a result of the 27 per cent cut in premium rates.

Edward Nealon

Question:

225 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (a) the amount paid in last year's ewe premium to farmers on a county by county basis and (b) the estimated figures for this year in view of the 27 per cent cut in premium rates.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

The total amounts paid to date to eligible sheep producers under the ewe premium scheme and rural world measures for the 1991 marketing year on a county by county and countrywide basis are as follows:

County	Amount of Grants
Carlow	4,406,075.02
Cavan	2,059,075.07
Clare	1,627,640.36
Cork	7,007,388.48
Donegal	12,171,264.69
Dublin	863,704.67
Galway	15,369,251.16
Kerry	8,993,630.24
Kildare	3,694,033.35
Kilkenny	3,744,849.60
Laois	2,223,758.91
Leitrim	2,347,422.96
Limerick	1,025,686.62
Longford	1,133,304.98
Louth	1,574,661.25
Mayo	9,746,383.55
Meath	5,498,144.05
Monaghan	989,872.86
Offaly	2,838,251.03
Roscommon	5,465,773.90
Sligo	3,023,146.71
Tipperary	5,456,635.18
Waterford	2,435,664.19
Westmeath	2,782,333.35
Wexford	8,217,637.92
Wicklow	7,223,262.10
Total for Country	121,918,822.20

The 27 per cent reduction in the level of the first advance of the 1992 ewe premium compared to the previous year is based on an estimated premium which will be amended in the light of market developments within the Community between now and the end of this year. The amount of the rural world premium paid to producers in disadvantaged areas has been increased from £3.52 per ewe to £4.83 in 1992. The combined value of the rural world premium and the first advance of the ewe premium, which will be paid together, is estimated at £39 million for 1992 as against £42 million for 1991. A breakdown of the 1992 figure on a county by county basis is not available at this stage.

Jim Higgins

Question:

226 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is prepared to pay a beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo by whom a genuine mistake was made in completing the necessary application form for the beef premium.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

This person has been deemed ineligible for payment of grants under the 1991 special beef premium scheme because he failed to produce cattle identity cards for two of the animals listed on his application and because cattle identity cards for two other animals on which he applied for premium indicated that grants had already been paid on these animals.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

227 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment of his cattle headage and suckler cow grants for 1991.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

This applicant's 1991 cattle headage and suckler cow premium scheme grants are being processed at present and payments will issue shortly.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

228 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a beef premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The person named is not the registered owner of the herd number quoted. Payment due to the registered herd owner under the 1991 special beef premium scheme is being processed at present and will be made shortly.