John Ellis
Question:222 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when his Department will commence payment of extensification grants under the 1994 scheme; and the completion date for payment of these grants. [2792/95]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
John Ellis
Question:223 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when his Department will commence payments of balances due under the 1994 headage and premium schemes; and when payment of these balances will be completed. [2791/95]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
Payment of balances under the 1994 cattle headage schemes started last week.
Payment of balances under the 1994 suckler cow premium scheme will start this week while payment of 1994 special beef premium balances is scheduled to start in about ten days. The corresponding premium scheme payments did not start until mid-April in 1994, some two months later than the scheduled commencement dates this year.
I expect that payment of 1994 extensification premium will commence in early March, some two months earlier than payment of 1993 extensification premium commenced in 1994.
Payments under each scheme will continue for a number of weeks after they start and my objective is to complete payments in the earliest possible time.