Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

169 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding the installation aid scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number of applications approved and paid to date; the number of applications currently awaiting payment and approval; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being imposed by the cessation of this scheme and in view of the fact that this scheme is party EU funded; and if he will make a statement to justify having it withdrawn or suspended. [11745/97]

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

The scheme of installation aid for young farmers was introduced in 1986 and to date some 5,500 young farmers have been paid the premium. Another 25 files have been processed and are awaiting confirmation of registration before the premium is paid.

A further 500 applicants have submitted applications to Teagasc or my Department's offices. These files are currently being processed and, where valid applications have been submitted, payment will issue as soon as possible.

The scheme continues in operation and, as with all measures under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry and other Operational Programmes, it is being examined in the context of the Mid-Term Review of the Community Support Framework (CSF) as a whole. This review is still in progress.

John Ellis

Question:

170 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his Department will pay the balance of premium and REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [11746/97]

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

The person concerned was paid £592.80 on 27 November 1996 in respect of his 1996 cattle headage grant. His 1996 suckler cow premium scheme advance of £673.10 was paid on 25 November 1996 as was £144.27, representing an advance under the 1996 special beef premium scheme.

Payment of balances under the premium schemes has been delayed due to problems with his area aid application. My Department is now writing to him about the matter.

As regards the REPS scheme, the applicant's second year payment was subject to a compliance check and a mapping error was discovered on the agri-environmental plan. An official from my Department will visit the applicant's farm shortly to try to rectify the matter. If everything is then in order payment will issue as soon as possible thereafter.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

171 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will make funding available to an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork under the Leader II Programme for an enterprise centre, ornithology trials and for Glenbower Lake. [11817/97]

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

All approved Leader II groups including that to which the question refers, have been invited to apply for a share of the additional funding which is available for the implementation of the Leader II Programme in Ireland. The basis for the distribution of the additional funding between the approved groups will include an assessment of the merits of the performance to date of each group in administering the Leader II programme, the quality of the applications, the needs of the groups' areas and the availability of other sources of funding in their areas. The additional funding will be confined to economic activity including job creation and maintenance.

I hope to submit proposals to Government for a decision on allocations to individual groups in the near future.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

173 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position in relation to grant assistance for deer farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11821/97]

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

Grant assistance for the provision of deer processing facilities is available under the Food Sub-Programme of the EU Operational Programme for Industrial Development. One firm has been approved for a grant towards the cost of establishing a pilot venison processing plant.

Noel Treacy

Question:

175 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will sanction an application from an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway; the date on which this will be done; the amount of money to be allocated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11825/97]

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

All approved Leader II groups including that to which the question refers, have been invited to apply for a share of the additional funding which is available for the implementation of the Leader II Programme in Ireland. The basis for the distribution of the additional funding between the approved groups will include an assessment of the merits of the performance to date of each group in administering the Leader II programme, the quality of the applications, the needs of the groups' areas and the availability of other sources of funding in their areas. The additional funding will be confined to economic activity including job creation and maintenance.

I hope to submit proposals to Government for a decision on allocations to individual groups in the near future.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

176 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a person (details supplied) in County Offaly failed in respect of an application under the REP scheme; if he will review the matter in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11827/97]

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

The applicant has recently received his second year payment under the REP scheme. Following a compliance check a 20 per cent penalty was imposed and deducted from the payment. The applicant has appealed this penalty and it is presently being investigated by the local inspectorate of my Department. Recommendations will be put forward to the REPS appeal committee for final determination of the matter and the applicant will be notified in writing of the outcome at the earliest opportunity.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

177 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will sanction an application under the farm retirement scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois. [11829/97]

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

An application by this person is currently being processed and if found to be in order payment will be made at an early date.