Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Finucane

Question:

476 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will reconsider the decision in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in view of the fact that he was paid for 26 animals under the BSE compensation scheme in 1995, that he applied for the 21 month beef premium and was paid 60 per cent of this payment in December 1997, that there was an unfair deduction of £550 as the person did not submit his application for the ten month premium in December 1996 but instead submitted the application in January 1997 as some of the animals qualified for payment at that time and, thus, the person was unfairly penalised and was not aware of the guidelines on this matter. [2175/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

Under EU rules top-up payments in respect of BSE compensation measures were payable in 1996 based on the number of animals qualifying for special beef premium and/or suckler cow premium in 1995. The regulations required subsequent adjustment, upwards and downwards, to take account of the number of animals qualifying for the premium in 1996. Those producers who had fewer animals qualifying for the premium in 1996 would have to refund overpayments and money so refunded would be used to make further top-up payments to those producers who had more animals qualifying for the premium in 1996 than they had in 1995.

The person concerned received a BSE compensation payment of £496.08 in 1996, representing a top-up of £19.08 per animal on 26 animals which qualified for the special beef premium in 1995. Since no applications for special beef premium were received from the person concerned in 1996 the total BSE compensation payment fell to be refunded and was deducted from the amount due in respect of the herdowner's 1997 special beef premium entitlement.