P. J. Sheehan
Question:132 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment of a suckler grant for small milk producers.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named applied for grants on nine animals under the 1993 suckler cow premium scheme for small-scale milk producers. He cannot be paid any 1993 suckler cow premium as he has no quota at present. However, he has applied for rights from the special reserve and if successful, his application will then be processed.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:133 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment of a farm improvement grant which was sent for payment on 10 September 1991.
The grant in this case was paid on 23 October 1991 and the payable order was cashed on 31 October 1991.
Paul Bradford
Question:134 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the grant-aid which is available and will be available under EU programmes for farm pollution control.
The control of farmyard pollution scheme, which operated under the 1989-1993 Structural Funds, ended on 31 December 1993, except for completion and payment in 1994 of grant aid on outstanding work approved by that date.
The National Development Plan for 1994-1999 Structural Funds and my Department's proposals for operational programmes to implement the aspects of the plan relating to agriculture, food, rural development and forestry provide for a further scheme of farm pollution control measures.
I expect that a new scheme will be launched shortly after the plan and operational programmes have been approved in Brussels.
Johnny Fox
Question:135 Mr. J. Fox asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total number of applicants for suckler cow premia under the EC suckler cow premium scheme for 1993; the total number who have been paid in full; and the total amount of money involved.
The total number of applicants who applied for premia under the June and November 1993 suckler cow schemes was 86,733. Of these 69,359 were paid 60 per cent advances totalling £35.548 million under the June 1993 suckler cow schemes. Payment of the 40 per cent balance to each farmer cannot be made until all the applications received from him/her 1993 have been processed. This is to ensure compliance with EU regulations covering in particular the ceiling on eligible animals and stocking density.
Processing of November 1993 applications will commence shortly.
Michael Finucane
Question:136 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the position regarding depopulation grant for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when grant payment will recommence; and the value of grant outstanding.
The person named is not eligible for depopulation grants. He is eligible for income supplement amounting to £360 which has been paid.