Vol. 423 No. 1
402 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the present position in relation to farmers who are in arrears with land annuity payments to the Land Commission and, as a result, are having their headage payments withheld; and if he will undertake to review the present arrangements in this regard as they are totally unjust and only serve to reduce the incomes of and cause further hardship to the farming community.
Arising from the very generous package of measures recently agreed by the Government, to resolve the problems associated with land annuities, my Department will not be offsetting any headage or premia payments due to applicants against land annuity payments owed by them to the Land Commission between now and 1 May 1993 when the new package takes effect. This will ensure that farmers can obtain the full benefits of the new arrangements.
403 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when cow premiums will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This person has been deemed ineligible for grants under the 1991 suckler cow premium scheme because he applied for grants on 11 ineligible heifers. Under EC regulations he must also be debarred from the 1992 scheme.
404 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when beef and sheep premia will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named has never applied for beef premia. Payment of the first instalment of the 1992 ewe premium will be made shortly.
405 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when suckler cow and special beef premia will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named has been paid his 1991 special beef premium and suckler cow premium schemes grants already.
His 1992 special beef premium and suckler cow premium schemes grants are being processed for payment at present and if found in order payments will be made as soon as possible.
406 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in the payment of a 1991 sheep headage grant to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and when payment of this will issue.
The delay in making payment in this case was due to a computer error. I have now arranged for payment to be made.
407 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in the payment of a 1991 ewe headage grant to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and when payment of this will issue.
I regret the delay in this case which was due to the file being overlooked. I have now arranged for payment to be made.
