Vol. 487 No. 8
48 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applicants for compensation for harvest losses under the harvest compensation funds which he announced in 1997; the amount of compensation which has been claimed to date in 1998; the number of claims which have been settled and paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5091/98]
The number of applications received by my Department under the scheme of assistance for weather related crop losses in 1997 is 894. There are 399 applications for arable crops losses, 85 for potatoes, 158 for horticultural crops, 22 for certified grass seed and 324 for other crops. Some applicants have applied for a number of categories.
Applications are currently being examined and payments under the scheme will commence when the necessary clearance is received from the EU Commission.
