Patrick J. Morley
Question:218 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of farmers in County Mayo who are still awaiting payment of beef premium grants.
Written Answers. - Beef Premium Grants.
It is estimated that fewer than 500 of the 8,000 Mayo farmers who applied for special beef premium grants in June 1992 have not yet been paid. Most of the outstanding cases are the subject of queries or have been rejected by computer at a validation check. All of these cases are being given urgent attention and it is hoped to have the bulk of them cleared for payment in the near future.
Approximately 3,600 applications for the special beef premium schemes were lodged in Mayo in the November/ December 1992 application period. A further 5,200 applications were submitted during the January/February application period. These applications are being processed at present. It is expected that payments to November/December applicants will commence before the end of May. Payments in respect of applications submitted in January/February are expected to commence early in November in accordance with EC Regulations which provide for the payment of 60 per cent of entitlements after 1 November.