Vol. 487 No. 6
156 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress, if any, on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow against the decision of his Department to refuse his application under the 1997 cattle headage and suckler cow schemes. [4890/98]
The person named applied for grants on 32 animals under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme on 29 May 1997. At an inspection of his herd on 23 July 1997 it was discovered that one of the animals declared on his application as a suckler cow was, in fact, a bull. The person named was considered to have made a false declaration through serious negligence and was deemed ineligible for the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme. In addition my Department was not satisfied that he had the number of cows declared at the date of application.
The person named recently sought a review of that decision and a review will be carried out by a person other than the person who made the original decision. The result of the review will be communicated to the person concerned.
He will be paid his full entitlement under the 1997 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks.
157 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of a 1996 headage grant for severely handicapped areas to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [4891/98]
The person named will be paid his full entitlement under the 1996 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks. The delay in this case was associated with reclassification and extension of disadvantaged areas in 1996.
158 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason payment under the 1996 beef cow scheme in relation to six animals is still outstanding to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [4892/98]
The person named will be paid his full entitlement under the 1996 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks. The delay in this case was associated with the reclassification and extension of disadvantaged areas in 1996.
159 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress, if any, on the appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the area aid forage scheme; and if a favourable outcome to this appeal will occur in view of the fact that the applicant did not alter his holding in 1997 and received his claim in full for 1996. [4893/98]
I have arranged for the area aid file for the person concerned to be forwarded to the inspecting officer so that the initial inspection can be reviewed. The result of this review should be available within the next two weeks.
160 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 17 February 1998 in relation to the appeal by persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in relation to the ten month special beef premium, he will confirm that medical evidence submitted by Deputy Aylward on their behalf in January 1998 has been received in his office; and, if so, the reason this has not been forwarded to the appeal unit to date in 1998. [4895/98]
The herd owner lodged an appeal with the headage and premia appeals unit on 19 February 1998 concerning his 1997 special beef premium application. His case will be examined by the appeals unit in due course and the medical evidence which has been received will be taken into account.
161 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when an outstanding beef premium payment will be made to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry for nine animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4896/98]
The persons named applied for the ten month special beef premium on 15 May 1997 in respect of 25 animals. The 60 per cent advance payment issued on 2 December 1997 in respect of 16 animals. The advance payment in respect of the remaining animals will issue this week.
162 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason his Department has not returned cards to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in relation to a beef premium. [4898/98]
There is no record of receipt of a special beef premium application from the person concerned during 1997 or to date in 1998.
