Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

182 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will ensure that all headage and premium grants will be paid to farmers before Christmas 1997; the reason for the delay in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23426/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

In the period since 1 January 1997 some £733 million has been paid to farmers under the various headage, premia and arable aid schemes of which over £480 million relates to payments made under the 1997 schemes. Some 1.409 million payments have been made of which 903,136 represent payments under the 1997 schemes, including payments made under the various BSE and agrimonetary compensation schemes.

Payments under the 1997 disadvantaged areas' headage schemes commenced on 28 September 1997 and to date over £109.7 million has been paid. In fact over £124 million has been paid under disadvantaged areas schemes since 1 January 1997. Payments under the 1997 arable aid scheme commenced on 16 October, the earliest possible commencement date under EU regulations and some £85 million was paid to 94 per cent of applicants within one week of commencement of payments. The current position is that over £90.8 million has been paid to 90 per cent of applicants.

Payments under the 1997 special beef premium and suckler cow premium schemes commenced on 1 November and 3 November respectively. The EU regulations provide that these payments cannot commence until 1 November and that only 60 per cent of entitlement can be paid. To date over £131.7 million has been paid under these schemes.

It should be noted that this year priority was accorded to making payments under the 1997 arable aid scheme in view of the very severe harvest conditions which affected some parts of the country. It is also the case that almost 4 per cent of 1997 cattle headage beef cow and suckler cow applications cannot be processed for payment at local office level because they are under query with the farmers concerned.

Payments are continuing to issue to farmers under all premium and headage schemes. While the requirements of the land parcel identification system which is fully operational in 1997 under EU rules had been a complicating factor in processing the various premium and headage applications this year, it is expected that remaining eligible applicants will be paid before Christmas.