Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Crop Losses.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

131 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of compensation paid under the scheme of assistance for weather related crop losses for the 1997 harvest; the number of farmers in each county who received compensation; the crop loss compensation paid in each case; the number of unsuccessful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15579/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The number of eligible applicants and the amount of assistance granted under the scheme of assistance for weather related crop losses, 1997, broken down by county is as follows:

County	Total eligible applications	IR£
Carlow	5	14,681
Cavan	–	–
Clare	–	–
Cork	38	207,119
Donegal	–	–
Dublin	13	31,964
Galway	1	1,270
Kerry	4	23,270
Kildare	6	13,640
Kilkenny	9	65,345
Laois	7	26,837
Leitrim	–	–
Limerick	4	9,239
Longford	–	–
Louth	3	9,778
Mayo	1	2,290
Meath	10	37,714
Monaghan	4	13,270
Offaly	2	3,415
Roscommon	1	2,812
Sligo	1	2,214
Tipperary	7	24,387
Waterford	8	68,119
Westmeath	1	2,225
Wexford	101	394,580
Wicklow	10	35,407
Total	236	989,576

The rates of assistance under the scheme and the maximum amounts payable are:

arable crops — £250 per hectare subject to minimum losses of five hectares;

potatoes — £750 per hectare subject to minimum losses of two hectares; and

grass seed — £200 to £400 per metric tonne depending on percentage yield losses and horticultural crops — full recoupment of losses in excess of 40 per cent and less than 50 per cent

subject to a maximum of £1,000, and for losses in excess of 50 per cent full recoupment subject to an overall maximum of £20,000. Losses of arable crops, potatoes and grass seed are subject to an overall maximum payment per applicant of £5,000.

The number of farmers whose claims for assistance were rejected was 680.

In view of the hardship experienced by some farmers who applied for fodder crop losses, I have requested my Department to re-examine all those cases where significant hardship is demonstrated and where the applicants meet the general criteria of the scheme.