Vol. 487 No. 3
139 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the final payments under the suckler cow and headage premiums schemes will be made to farmers in counties Sligo and Leitrim as there is grave concern that payments have not yet been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3987/98]
The position is that payment of the final instalment of the 1997 suckler cow premium commenced on 13 February and to date some £17.6 million has been paid. Payment will continue over the coming weeks. Most cases will be paid by the end of March and the remainder by the end of June in line with EU requirements. Payments under the disadvantaged areas headage schemes are made in eligible cases in one single payment. Some 96 per cent of 1997 cattle headage-beef cow applicants have now been paid while 94 per cent of 1997 sheep headage applicants have been paid. Any remaining cases are under query for one reason or another and payments will continue to be made as queries are resolved.
140 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid his 1997 cattle headage grant; and the reason for the delay. [3988/98]
The person named will be paid his entitlement under the 1997 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks. The delay in this case was due to a processing delay relating to a secondary herd number quoted by the applicant.
141 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive his 1997 cattle headage and suckler cow grants. [3996/98]
The land declared by the person named is currently being digitised and payment in respect of 1997 cattle headage should issue within the next two weeks.
142 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received his 1997 suckler cow grants. [3997/98]
The file in this case is with field staff and is not available at present. A full reply will issue to the Deputy within a week.
143 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received payment of his 1997 cattle headage grants. [3998/98]
The 1997 area aid application submitted by the person concerned was randomly selected, in accordance with EU regulations, for field inspection. This inspection has now been completed and the application has been cleared. Livestock payments should issue within the next two weeks.
