Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Area Aid Applications.

Dr. McDaid

I thank you for allowing me raise a matter which is of serious concern to a large number of farmers not only in my county but throughout the country. I refer to the failure of herd owners to submit their area aid forms last spring before the closing date on 28 April.

Prior to this year, this matter was dealt with by the Department's officers in Castlebar and the application forms were usually posted each year to all farmers participating in the schemes for headage, suckler cow and special beef premiums. However, the section relocated to Dublin in 1995. It could well be that the transfer of files, etc. resulted in some confusion but I am informed that many farmers did not receive their forms by post this year. I do not know whether this was a general rule or an oversight affecting only some people. One way or another, I am aware that some farmers, including elderly farmers and farmers living alone, were not sufficiently alert to realise that the closing date was imminent and consequently did not look for their forms in time. I understand the practice in previous years was to send a copy of the herd details for the preceding year and a separate sheet which merely required a signature if the position had not changed in the meantime.

I would be obliged if the Minister would inform the House if he has made representations to Brussels with a view to alleviating this problem. The farmers concerned, together with their families especially at this time of the year, are anxiously awaiting the Minister's and the Department's response.

Mr. Deenihan

I thank Deputy McDaid for raising this matter on the Adjournment. Some 1,400 farmers nationwide sent in their 1995 area aid applications late, that is, after the final 18 May closing date for forage only area aid applications. I expect that about 1,000 of these late applications involve farmers in our disadvantaged areas. Clear instructions were given on the 1995 forage only area aid applications and on the help sheets which accompanied them to the effect that farmers should submit those applications before the closing date of 28 April 1995 or, at the latest by 18 May 1995 subject to a late application penalty of 1 per cent for each working day after 28 April. Despite these instructions, however, many farmers either did not submit an area aid application or submitted a late application.

I am very concerned about the position these farmers find themselves in. The submission of a valid area aid form is essential to secure most livestock premia payments and all disadvantaged areas headage payments. I have, therefore, arranged for my officials to make a case to the EU Commission to see if the problem can be overcome. I cannot guarantee a successful outcome to our approach to the Commission but I can assure Deputies that every effort will be made to secure such an outcome.

I am also considering the concessionary arrangement under the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes whereby the EU Commission allows us pay premium on up to 15 livestock units of suckler cows or male cattle after taking into account each applicant's milk quota and ewes submitted for ewe premium where no area aid application has been submitted or where an application has been submitted late. I have asked my Department to consider, therefore, whether payment on up to those 15 livestock units can be made to the late applicants concerned.

I assure Deputy McDaid I have experienced this problem extensively in my constituency. I appreciate the sentiments expressed by the Deputy. For various reasons, farmers did not submit their application forms in time. We will do everything possible to ensure a successful outcome with the EU Commission.