Paul Bradford
Question:210 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in issuing a 1991 special beef premium scheme payment in respect of one extra animal to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
A review of this case indicated that the person named may have applied for special beef premium scheme grants in 1991 on three animals which qualified for payment already in his own herd in 1990. Since male animals which qualified for grants in 1990 should not have been the subject of a claim in 1991 further investigation is necessary to ascertain if the 1991 claim of the person named is an irregular claim. A query in the matter will be sent to the person named shortly. Until this issue is resolved his eligibility for an extra grant or indeed for grants already paid cannot be established.
Louis J. Belton
Question:211 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a suckler cow grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Longford.
This person's application for grants under the 1991 Suckler Cow Scheme is being processed at present and payment will be made shortly. He has not yet applied under the 1992 Suckler Cow Scheme.
Jim Higgins
Question:212 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the continued failure to pay a beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This person named applied for Special Beef Premium on 12 animals in June 1991. During an inspection of his herd two animals were missing. One of these was a retagged animal which had qualified for premium in 1990 and which had been sold. This animal was ineligible for Premium in 1991. The second missing animal has not been accounted for and unless an acceptable explanation for its absence is furnished the person named may be deemed ineligible for any 1991 grants and be debarred from the Scheme for 12 months.
Frank Crowley
Question:213 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for farm grants payments from 1989 onwards but has not received payment; if such grants have been approved in this case; and if so, when payment will issue.
The position is that this person received Cattle Headage grants amounting to £4,659 for the years 1985 to 1989 inclusive to which he was not entitled due to his wife's off-farm income exceeding the permissible limits for each of the years involved.
The following grants have been withheld in part refund of the amount incorrectly paid: 1989 Calf Premium grant of £377.76; 1990 Special Beef Premium grant of £804.08. This leaves an amount of £3,477.16 still due to the Department.
Grants due to him under the 1992 Cattle and Equines Headage and Special Beef Premium Schemes are also being withheld to be further off-set against the amount he still owes to the Department.
Ivan Yates
Question:214 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a co-responsibility levy refund on grain will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and the rate at which it will be paid.
Applications under the Scheme of Aid for Small Producers of Cereals are being processed at present. I expect that all eligible applicants will be paid in early December.
It is not possible to indicate the rate of refund payable to any one applicant at this time. The refund level is dependent on the number of eligible applications received, and amounts applied for.
Ivan Yates
Question:215 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a co-responsibility levy refund on grain will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford, and the rate at which it will be paid.
There is no record of an application having been received in my Department under the Scheme of Aid for Small Producers of Cereals from the person named in the question. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31 July 1992. However, if the person concerned submits an application immediately he will be considered.
Applications under the scheme are being processed at present. I expect that all eligible applicants will be paid in early December.