Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 7

Written Answers - Grant Payments.

Liam Aylward

Question:

205 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason no maps have issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny with his area aid from which he received three weeks ago; and when these maps will issue. [11963/97]

Liam Aylward

Question:

206 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made to pay a headage grant applied for in 1996 to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [11964/97]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

Due to a difficulty in digitising two plots of land for the person named, maps were not sent to him in the original issue of 1997 aerial photo maps. While the difficulties have still not been fully resolved, maps of twenty of the twenty-two parcels declared by him in 1996 are now being issued to assist him in completing his 1997 Area Aid application form. The person named should enter details of the other two parcels on his application form in accordance with the advice given in the helpsheet attached to the application.

The person named applied on two animals under the 1996 beef cow scheme. Payment of headage grants for these animals will issue in the next two weeks.

Joe Walsh

Question:

207 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of applications and the amounts of money involved which are outstanding under each of the 1995 and 1996 livestock and extensification premiums, and the headage and tillage aid schemes; when these outstanding payments will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11965/97]

Joe Walsh

Question:

243 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give in tabular form the number of applicants under all premium, headage and area aid schemes in 1996, namely, special beef premium, suckler cow premium, deseasonalisation premium, ewe premium, area aid and extensification premia, cattle headage, beef cow headage, sheep headage, horse headage and tillage area aid; the total moneys due under each scheme; the number of applicants paid; the amount of moneys paid; the number of applicants with payments outstanding; the amount of moneys outstanding; and when payments will be completed for the 1996 schemes. [12248/97]

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

I propose taking Questions Nos. 207 and 243 together.

The position is that some £690 million has been paid out to farmers under the 1995 headage and premia schemes. All currently eligible applicants have been paid their entitlements.

The position with regard to the 1996 headage and premia and BSE compensation schemes is that to date over £691 million has been paid to farmers. Payment of 20 per cent balances under the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme and the EU suckler cow premium scheme commenced on 19 February and 20 February 1997 respectively. To date some 93 per cent of applicants have been paid their balances under the May 1996 suckler cow premium scheme and the 1996 special beef premium scheme. Full payments under the October 1996 suckler cow premium scheme commenced on 1 May and £4.334 million has been paid to date.

The estimated value of each scheme, the estimated amounts remaining to be paid, the number of applicants, the percentage of applicants which are fully paid and the amount paid under each of the 1996 headage and premia schemes are shown on the following table. It should be noted that not all applicants will ultimately qualify for payment.

It is expected that payment of the 1996 extensification premium will commence within the next two weeks and be completed by the end of June in line with the Charter of Rights for Farmers and EU requirements. Outstanding payments under all other schemes continue to be made as application problems are resolved.

Table

1996 Schemes Payment Position

Scheme	Numbers of Applicants	Percentage Paid	Estimated Value of Schemes	Amount Paid	Estimated Amount Outstanding
		%	£m	£m	£m
Cattle Headage/Beef Cow	91,650	98	94.624	94.126	0.498
Equine Headage	4,150	96	0.694	0.595	0.099
Sheep Headage	31,590	95	22.900	22.841	0.059
Goat Headage	403	94	0.030	0.020	0.010
Special Beef Premium applications	215,530	93	191.000	179.121	11.879
Suckler Cow Premium — May and October	80,635	92	137.500	133.765	3.735
Slaughter Premium	18,040	98	16.500	16.178	0.322
Ewe Premium	47,133	98	87.000	86.420	0.580
Extensification Premium (Paid automatically no application necessary)	—	—	62.000	—	62.000
Arable Aid	17,330	99	89.000	88.935	0.065