Vol. 491 No. 4
65 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when various payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the area aid scheme in view of the fact that payments are now long overdue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12494/98]
The person named submitted an area aid application in 1997 on which he claimed 10.926 hectares of forage area and 2.023 of cereals. However, only one plot was marked on his map and this did not show the division between the arable and forage areas. Despite requests from this Department, no map showing the division between arable and forage has been received. I have arranged for my Department to send a map to the person asking that he show the plots of arable and forage so that his application can be finalised.
66 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will have the REP scheme payment for 1997 and 1998 immediately released for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12495/98]
A cumulative penalty of 110 per cent was imposed in this case as a result of compliance inspections in March and April 1997. Following consideration by my Department's REPS appeals committee, the penalty was subsequently reduced to 10 per cent. However, certain deficiencies were noted in the applicant's agri-environmental plan and the applicant and his planning agency have been notified and requested to submit a revised plan. The second year payment will be processed when this has been done. The third year application will also be examined at that time.
