Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 7

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Ivor Callely

Question:

181 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the average payment to individual farmers paid out under various schemes by his Department for each of the years from 1992 to 1996; the likely payment in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9623/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

Details of the average payments to individual farmers paid out under various schemes for each of the years from 1992 to 1996 — which it has been possible to compile in the time available — are set out in the following tabular statement. As regards 1998, the payments of grants is dependent on the number of eligible applications or satisfactory completion of works etc.

Headage and Premia Payments

Average Payment under each Scheme 1992 to 1996 (Scheme Year)*

Scheme	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
	£	£	£	£	£
Cattle Headage/Beef Cow	942	964	994	987	1,052
Ewe Premium	2,412	2,279	2,016	2,596	1,877
Sheep Headage	592	612	652	654	765
Goat Headage	48	57	57	65	57
Special Beef Premium	381	460	382	879	885
Suckler Cow Premium	781	844	1,248	1,554	1,775
Slaughter Premium	0	789	974	914	913
Equine Headage	149	205	165	168	159
Extensification Premium	0	469	568	619	715
Arable Aid	0	2,782	4,107	5,115	5,192

*The payments refer to the scheme year e.g. the 1992 scheme figures includes payments made in subsequent years.

Other Scheme Payments

Average Payment under each Scheme 1992 to 1996*

Scheme	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
	£	£	£	£	£
Farm Improvement Programme	3,086	2,839	3,136	3,631	3,853
Farm Improvement Programme - Horticulture	–	–	–	–	7,388
Control of Farm Pollution	–	–	–	7,541	9,292
Dairy Hygiene Scheme	–	–	–	5,054	5,703
Alternative Enterprise Scheme	–	–	–	3,449	3,609
Scheme of Installation Aid	5,600	5,600	5,600	5,600	5,600
Early Retirement Scheme	–	–	3,839	7,148	8,166
Rural Environment Protection Scheme (RPS)	–	–	3,500	3,500	3,600
Compulsory Milk Quota Reduction (Reg. 1637/91)	321	239	230	238	244
Temporary Suspension of Milk Quota	370	–	–	–	–
Milk Agrimonetary Compensation	977	–	–	–	–
Various Horticulture Schemes	13,581	8,588	6,903	13,106	6,193
OPARDF Equine Schemes	138	149	181	77	109
Irish Draught Horse Incentive Scheme	400	400	400	400	400
Investment Aid Potato Sector	12,447	11,842	9,650	19,990	14,876
Flood Damage (Fodder-Livestock) 1995	–	–	–	678	–

*This is the average per payment — some farmers may get more than one payment.

Michael Ring

Question:

182 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the balancing payment on 1997 headage and premia applications. [9624/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

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.