Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 5

Written Answers. - Headage and Premium Schemes.

John O'Leary

Question:

188 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the fact that several hundred farmers in County Kerry are under severe financial pressure in view of the fact that applications for payment of suckler, beef premium, extensification grants, sheep and cattle headage grants were rejected by his Department on the grounds that the relevant completed forms under complicated and restrictive EEC Regulations were delayed due to an oversight; and if he will review the position urgently and help these farmers. [17374/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I know that some farmers in County Kerry have not been paid under the 1995 headage and premium schemes for various reasons such as late submission or non-submission of area aid applications, not having the minimum 7.5 statute acres needed to obtain disadvantaged areas grants, not having suckler cow quotas, or not having any animals eligible for payment on special beef premium applications. Notwithstanding the fact that applicants under the various schemes were advised on application forms and help sheets and by way of press advertisement and other means of the detailed requirements attaching to each scheme, it is clear that a number of farmers throughout the country have either failed to submit area aid applications or submitted them after the closing date. At my request my officials are in contact with the European Commission to see if a solution to this type of problem is possible.