Vol. 482 No. 6
179 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will increase the maximum rate of grant aid for accommodation under Leader II from 20 per cent to 35 per cent to enable them to operate on a par with the Western Regional Tourism Authority agri-tourism scheme. [18464/97]
I recently announced that the maximum rate of aid for tourist accommodation under the Leader programme is being increased from 20 per cent to 30 per cent. The maximum rate for leisure facilities continues to be 50 per cent. The rate of 35 per cent available under the agri-tourism scheme is restricted to the renovation of traditional farm buildings where at least 50 per cent of the eligible investment is in leisure.
180 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid her 1997 cattle and sheep headage in view of the fact that the delay is causing hardship. [18660/97]
The area aid application of the person named has not yet been cleared so as to allow payment of headage to her. Every effort is being made to clear all area aid applications, other than a small minority of very intractable cases, so that payment can be made in this and other similar cases during the next few weeks.
If the area aid application of the person named is found to be in order she should be paid cattle and sheep headage within this period.
