Vol. 477 No. 6
127 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made to pay the balance of a 1996 cow suckler premium to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10055/97]
The person named applied for grants in respect of 11 animals under the May 1996 suckler cow premium scheme for small scale milk producers. He was paid £1,234.02 on 11 November 1996 representing an 80 per cent advance of his 1996 suckler cow premium. The person concerned has not yet received his balancing payment of £308.50.
During the course of checking the lands declared in this case, it transpired that there is a discrepancy between what the herdowner has claimed, i.e. 41.6 hectares, and what was found when the plots were digitised, i.e. 39.39 hectares. As a result of this apparent overclaim which exceeds the acceptable percentage tolerance, my Department will be in contact with the person named shortly with a view to resolving the problem and having payment made at the earliest opportunity.
129 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a hardship grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10057/97]
There is no record in the district veterinary office of an application form for hardship grant having been received from the person in question. Any period prior to date of receipt of application form in the district veterinary office is not reckonable for hardship grant purposes.
An essential prerequisite for eligibility for hardship grant is that the holdings of herdowners applying continue to be restricted following a full herd retest. The holding of the person in question was derestricted on 24 February 1997.
