Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 5

Written Answers. - Land Annuities.

Willie Penrose

Question:

94 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason correspondence from Deputy Penrose dated 15 June 1998 and 4 August 1998, in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath concerning Land Commission annuities, has not been replied to; the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that a suitable repayment schedule is put in place for the discharge of the arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20597/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I regret the delay in replying to the Deputy's letters dated 15 June 1998 and 4 August 1998. This arose because a Land Commission inspector had to call on the person in question on three occasions with a view to coming to a settlement acceptable to both parties in this very difficult arrears case. This report was being considered in my Department.

The position is that the person concerned has six accounts in respect of Land Commission lands on which the following arrears are due:

Account No.	Half-Yearly Instalment	Arrears to May 1998
7/31/90064	89.92	2,427.84
7/31/90061	1,197.99	27,082.24
7/31/90062	30.03	360.36
7/31/98004	200.00	2,200.00
7/31/98006	114.30	1,257.30
7/31/98008	28.60	314.60
	1,660.84	33,642.34

The Land Commission is prepared to accept an arrangement whereby a sum of £10,000 — the amount the person concerned was willing to pay according to the Deputy's letter dated 4 August 1998 — is paid immediately to be offset against the outstanding arrears in the five smaller accounts (i. e. £6,560.10) and to reduce the arrears due under Account No. 7/31/90061 by £3,439.90. On payment of this amount, the Land Commission is prepared to favourably consider a rescheduling of repayments in respect of the larger account whereby the balance outstanding, £23,642.34, would be capitalised and the repayment period extended.