Vol. 445 No. 6
299 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the arrangements, if any, he is making to ensure early payment of ewe premia due to 11,000 flock owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [246/94]
The position is that payment of the first and second instalment of 1994 ewe premium commenced on 26 July shortly after the regulations fixing the amounts of the instalments had been made by the EU Commission. At the end of August up to 45,500 applicants or just over 95 per cent of all likely eligible applicants had been paid a total of £65 million. The position at present is that 98 per cent of all likely eligible applicants have been paid a total of almost £68 million and it is expected that any remaining eligible applicants will be paid shortly.
Ireland's performance in delivering 1994 ewe premium payments compares very favourably with that of other member states.
