Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Fraudulent EU Premia Applications.

Joe Walsh

Question:

250 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on a recent newspaper report which stated that high levels of fraudulent EU premia applications were found by officers of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/97]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

It is assumed the Deputy is referring to recent media comment on alleged irregularities uncovered in the 1997 EU ewe premium scheme resulting from the fact that a much larger percentage of inspections this year will be unannounced.

The position is that on-farm inspections under the 1997 ewe premium-sheep headage schemes commenced recently and will continue up until the end of the ewe premium retention period which expires on 23 April 1997. I can also confirm that the number of unannounced inspections, particularly in respect of lowland flocks, will be greater than heretofore. The decision to increase the number of unannounced inspections was taken so as to give greater assurance on the overall level of controls in place in respect of this scheme particularly because sheep are not individually identified.

Because of the relatively small number of inspections which have taken place to date my Department has not, as yet, fully analysed the results of inspections — this exercise will be carried out when all inspections have been completed at the end of the retention period. The types of irregularities uncovered during on-farm inspections range from a shortfall in the number of animals presented for inspection to possible fraudulent applications which results in the flockowner being disallowed payment for the year in question and debarred from the scheme for the succeeding year.

While it is too early to draw specific conclusions it would appear that on a pro-rata basis the level of irregularities detected so far in 1997 has increased somewhat over 1996.