Vol. 492 No. 4
89 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when a forest premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for lands planted (details supplied); and if the letter issued to him on 2 June 1998 requesting further information will be withdrawn in view of the fact that he qualified for the scheme in 1996 and the Department is aware of the details in this regard. [14447/98]
A premium will be paid to the person in question on receipt of the information requested by my Department in the said letter of 2 June, 1998.
Under the terms of the scheme, the definition of "farmer" is a person who:
1. Practices farming within the State i.e. a person who has an active farm number, e.g., herd number, cereal number or in the absence of a farm number has annual sales off the farm of at least £1,000.
2. Owns, leases, or is involved in the joint management of, at least, 3 hectares of an agricultural holding.
3. Derives at least 25 per cent of total income from farming. Income from land leasing for 11 months or less is also allowed.
4. Resides on a permanent basis within 70 miles of the forest plantation.
The person in question has advised my Department that he is a full-time farmer. In cases such as this, it is now routine procedure within my Department to seek documentary evidence of farming income.
Such information has not as yet been provided by the person in question. On receipt of same, the person's application for premium will be further considered.
