Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

125 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applicants refused payment for livestock headage and premium schemes for the year ending December 1997 including cattle, beef cows, sheep, goats and equine headage, special beef premium including both ten and 22 month premium, ewe premium, suckler cow schemes and extensification premium. [3834/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Payments under the various 1997 livestock headage and premium schemes do not conclude at the end of the calendar year. Therefore it is not possible, as yet, to give the number of applicants refused payment under the 1997 schemes. For example, under the suckler cow premium scheme and the special beef premium scheme the regulations provide for advance payments commencing on 1 November of the year of application with balancing payments commencing in the following year. Payment of the final instalment of the 1997 ewe premium commenced last week in line with EU regulations. Payment of 1997 extensification premium will be made automatically to eligible farmers in the period April-June 1998. In so far as the disadvantaged areas' headage schemes are concerned every effort is made to make payment in full in the year of application.

The following table gives the percentage of applicants paid under the various 1997 livestock headage and premia schemes:

Scheme	% paid
Cattle Headage/Beef Cow	96%
Sheep Headage	94%
Special Beef Premium	91%
Suckler Cow Premium	94%
Slaughter Premium	99%

Those cases unpaid may not have yet established eligibility and are under query for one reason or another. Payments continue to be made under all of the schemes as queries are resolved. Under EU regulations, all eligible applicants under the 1997 livestock premium schemes must be paid by 30 June 1998.