John Ellis
Question:173 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will pay 1995 sheep top-ups which he promised in December 1995; and the reason for the delay in payment in this respect. [20649/96]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The European Commission has only recently agreed to my proposal to pay the increases of £2 per hogget ewe and £1 per mountain breeding ewe. These will be paid under the 1996 disadvantaged areas sheep headage scheme. Payment of the normal rate of £10 per ewe under the 1996 sheep headage scheme has already commenced and I expect that payment of the increases in respect of hogget ewes and mountain breeding ewes will commence in the next week or so. The increases will cost £2.5 million.