Jimmy Deenihan
Question:136 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when BSE compensation for 1996 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11181/98]
Written Answers. - BSE Compensation Payments.
The regulations governing payment of the 1996 BSE compensation package, which was paid out in October 1996, provided for payment of top-ups in respect of animals which qualified for payment under the 1995 EU suckler cow premium scheme and 1995 EU special beef premium scheme. The regulations also provided for adjustments, upwards and downwards, later on to take account of the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1996 EU suckler cow premium scheme and the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme. In effect, the regulations require that when all balancing payments under the 1996 EU suckler cow premium scheme and 1996 EU special beef premium scheme are made a comparison is to be carried out between the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1995 schemes and the number qualifying under the 1996 schemes. Money is to be recouped from those farmers who had fewer animals qualifying under the 1996 schemes. The money so recouped is then to be used to make payments to those farmers who had more eligible animals under the 1996 schemes.
My Department has been in the process of recovering overpayments from those farmers in the former category and this money is to be used to make outstanding payments to farmers in the latter cetegory. Obviously it is important that as much money as possible can be recovered before striking a rate for payment of additional top-ups. The person named had six more eligible animals under the 1996 special beef premium scheme and will therefore be entitled to further top-up payments on these animals. He did not apply for premium under the 1995 suckler cow scheme but will be entitled to additional top-up on the 23 eligible cows he was paid on under the 1996 suckler cow premium scheme. As the vast majority of moneys overpaid are now recovered, it is expected that payment of amounts due will commence before the end of June. To date, the person named was paid BSE on two animals amounting to £38.16, £19.08 × 2, based on the number of animals on which he was paid under the 1995 special beef premium scheme.