Vol. 474 No. 1
176 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total amount of compensatory payments paid to farmers including headage and premia payments in 1996; the proportion of farm incomes made up by these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/97]
A total of £873 million in direct income payments was used by the Central Statistics Office in the calculation of its advance estimate of agricultural output, input and income which was published on 9 December 1996. This represented just over 42 per cent of estimated farm income — income from self employment and other trading incomes — in 1996.
An updated estimate of Agricultural Output, Input and Income is due to be published by the CSO on 6 February 1997. This estimate will include a revised figure for direct income payments which will be in excess of £900 million. This will affect the proportion of income represented by direct payments but until the revised income figure is released it is not possible, of course, to say to what extent it will be affected.
177 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the grant assistance, if any, which is currently available for deer farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2447/97]
The alternative enterprise scheme, which was introduced in December 1994 as part of the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry 1994-99, included a measure to assist farmers to develop housing and handling facilities for deer. Applications on hand are being processed for payment. This scheme was closed for new applications with effect from 4 October 1996.
Since 1996 venison has been included in An Bord Bia's promotional campaign and a comprehensive survey of market opportunities has recently been conducted to assist this campaign.
A proposal to extend headage payments to deer is one of a number of measures under discussion with the European Commission.
