Vol. 481 No. 2
81 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of a farm installation aid application to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will have arrangements made to issue payment immediately. [15851/97]
The Scheme of Installation Aid (SIA) is operated under EC Regulation 2328/91 as amended. Under the regulation, eligibility for the SIA is dependent on the applicant setting up as a full-time farmer for the first time having specified skill and competence and having a labour input of at least 1 man work unit (MWU). The MWU is calculated using a standard number of standard man days for each type of enterprise on the holding for a full production year. The production year used for the scheme is 1 January to 31 December.
In the case in question, the deed of transfer was signed in late July 1996 and, therefore, the MWU will be calculated on the basis of the 1997 production year which will be completed on 31 December 1997. At that stage the form SIA 3 (assessment of labour units), for the period to 31 December 1997, should be completed by the applicant and submitted to my Department's local office.
Once this is received the file will be finalised and, if everything is in order, payment should issue shortly after that.
