Vol. 489 No. 6
254 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of the 1997 cattle headage to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8549/98]
Maps have been received from the person concerned and the necessary digitising should be completed within the next two weeks. The processing of the area aid application will then be finalised and any outstanding payments will be issued.
255 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of an application for an installation grant for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [8551/98]
The application in this case was received on 7 August 1997. Applications are processed strictly in order of receipt. Having regard to the level of applications on hands this will be processed as soon as possible. In the event of any deficiency in the documentation supplied the local office will contact the applicant directly.
256 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason area aid payments have not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in view of the fact that he had furnished full details in relation to digitised maps; if he will ensure that all premiums are paid to him without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8554/98]
Maps have been received from the person concerned and the necessary digitising should be completed within the next two weeks. The processing of the area aid application will then be finalised and any outstanding payments will be issued.
257 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been paid his suckler cow premium to date in 1998 in view of the fact that the family have leased some of their milk quota to a co-operative on a yearly basis; the reason his Department are insisting that this leasing agreement should be for a minimum three year period and are refusing to pay these premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8555/98]
The person named applied for grants on 33 animals under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme for small-scale milk suppliers. Under the terms and conditions of this scheme any applicant must have had a milk quota of less than 25,638 gallons on 1 April 1997. Permanent quota held by an applicant at 1 April 1997 includes any quota surrender by that applicant on or after that date under the temporary leasing scheme. His milk purchaser has certified the milk quota held by the person concerned as 27,973 gallons on 1 April 1997 and consequently he is not eligible for payment under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme.
258 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will have arrangements made for the re-inspection of a herd for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that he was unable to have all his sheep gathered on the day of the inspection due to extreme weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8556/98]
Following an inspection of the flock of the person named he was deemed ineligible for payment under the 1998 ewe premium and sheep headage schemes as he did not present the number of sheep declared on his application. He was informed of this decision in writing and under the Charter of Rights for Farmers he was advised that he could have his case reviewed by submitting a written appeal within 21 days to the district inspector at his local office. No record of an appeal has been received by my Department. However, if he wishes to have his case reviewed he should contact his local office for an application form and submit it without further delay.
259 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a ten month and 22 month premium has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8557/98]
The person named submitted applications for the ten month special beef premium on seven animals on 25 March 1997 and for the 22 month premium on one animal on 29 April 1997.
The person named did not submit a 1997 area aid declaration and he holds a milk quota of 98,794 gallons. A person who does not submit an area aid declaration can receive payment under the premium schemes up to a maximum of 15 livestock units. In determining the overall number of livestock units account is taken of milk quota held, 98,794 divided by 897 gallons equivalent to 110.14 livestock units. Since this exceeds 15 livestock units there is no entitlement to payment of special beef premium.
260 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a decision will be made on an appeal with the independent appeals unit for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [8558/98]
I assume that the question relates to the 1997 sheep schemes. Under these schemes the person named was penalised as he was deemed to be in breach of the terms and conditions. In accordance with the Charter of Rights for Farmers he appealed this decision to the district inspector who upheld the original decision. He was advised that if he still did not agree with this decision, he could submit an appeal to the headage and premia appeals unit in my Department. That unit has no record of having received any appeal from the person named to date.
