Frank Crowley
Question:282 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reimbursed for having his own cattle tagged. [2272/97]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
New national arrangements for the tagging and registration of cattle were introduced in 1996. Departmental herd records for 1995 were used to identify herds with female breeding stock and to estimate the likely annual calf births and plastic tag requirements in each herd for 1996. Departmental records show that there were no breeding females on the farm to which the herd number quoted refers on 22 December 1995. Records also show that this person took over his father's herd in September 1996 and acquired 65 cows and 32 heifers. As the person appears not to have acquired female breeding stock until September 1996, any question of reimbursement does not arise in regard to the animals tagged by his vet in May 1996. These animals will continue to carry the brass tags inserted as the official identification. The herdowner can expect to receive 100 sets of plastic tags in the next two to three weeks. No payment will be required for the basic 1997 tag supply.
Theresa Ahearn
Question:284 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason for the delay in payment of a refund due to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2289/97]
An application for subsidy towards the purchase price of milk quota under the 1995 subsidised milk quota restructuring scheme by the person named, who is a new entrant to milk production, is currently being examined. A final decision on eligibility for subsidy in this case will be made as soon as this examination is completed.
Michael Finucane
Question:288 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a depopulation grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [2349/97]
Depopulation grants due to the person named will be processed for payment on receipt of a tax number from the herdowner.
Paul Bradford
Question:289 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding an application for a 1995 suckler cow premium by a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [2350/97]
Two cows which were included in the herdowner's 1995 suckler cow premium application were deemed to be ineligible breeds. The herdowner was deemed to have made an intentional false declaration and was excluded from the suckler cow scheme for two years. He has lodged an appeal with the headage and premia appeals unit. The appeal is now being examined and the herdowner will be notified of the outcome as soon as the matter is concluded.