Vol. 487 No. 7
217 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of payment per animal which will be made to farmers under the 1997 EU ten months special beef premium scheme; and the analysis, if any, he has done on the likely outcome of this scheme in 1998. [5112/98]
Ireland's current quota for special beef premium is some 1,002,000, down approximately 250,000 quota rights from previous years. This reduction arose from a decision by the Council of Agriculture Ministers in October 1996. Eligibility is determined by reference to the number of animals eligible for payment of the ten month instalment of the premium. While definitive figures on eligibility will not be available before April, 1998 at the earliest, indications at present are that the quota has been exceeded by the same 6.5 per cent. The level of payment of both ten and 22 month special beef premium, and extensification premium where relevant, will be reduced accordingly. The adjusted rate for 1997 special beef premium will be of the order of £84.31, a reduction of £5.86.
As regards 1998, it is far too early at this stage to predict the definitive outcome, as applications for the ten months instalment may be made up to 4 December 1998.
219 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farm installation grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [5136/98]
The applicant in this case has been requested to furnish documentation indicating that he has attained the one man work unit requirement of the scheme. Until this is received the application cannot be processed further.
