Vol. 471 No. 2
169 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the delays in the payment of cereal aid; and when he will pay such aid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [20605/96]
170 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 90 per cent of cereal aid was paid by 1 November in previous years; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that payments in 1996 are late; when he will pay out such aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/96]
Arable aid payments commenced on 30 September 1996 when oilseed advances were paid. Payment of arable aid to cereal farmers began on 18 October 1996 and to date payments amounting to £29,466,944.58 have issued to 7,626 growers of oilseeds and cereals.
As part of the integrated administration and control system which is required by the EU in relation to all CAP compensatory and headage payments, Ireland has been committed to developing a new land parcel identification system in 1996. Given the increased level of checks and controls associated with the new LPIS it was inevitable that some delay in making payment, when measured against the 1995 performance, would arise.
