Vol. 496 No. 1
140 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 30 September 1998, he will again review a REP scheme payment for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; the reason for the delay; if payment will be made immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22017/98]
A first year application was received from the person in question on 8 October 1998 and will be processed shortly.
143 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if area aid problems will be resolved for persons (details supplied) in view of the fact that there are 11 farmers sharing the same commonage who have not received any sheep headage payment; if he will arrange to have payments made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22025/98]
The claims on the commonages in question have exceeded the total area on record in my Department. This matter is currently being addressed with the individuals concerned in order to have it rectified and allow any outstanding payments to issue.
145 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who lodged his application for the farm installation grant with his local Teagasc office prior to the date of the suspension of the scheme, will have his application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22028/98]
As the scheme of installation aid was closed to new applicants on 7 August 1997 and the application in this case was not received in my Department until 1 September 1997, it could not be processed.
146 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle headage, sheep headage and ewe premia in view of the fact he resubmitted the relevant maps to his Department as requested. [22078/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named. When these have been resolved any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
147 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a special beef premium on one animal. [22082/98]
The tag number referred to was listed on an application for ten month special beef premium dated 2 December 1997 by the person concerned. However the same tag number was applied for in July 1997 by another herdowner and has been paid ten month premium. A 22 month application by a third herdowner is currently awaiting payment. Inquiries to date have confirmed that there are two animals bearing the same tag number. The full circumstances surrounding this matter are still under investigation. My Department will correspond with the person concerned when the full facts have been established.
148 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a 22 month special beef premium payment on one animal in view of the fact that he applied in February 1997 and was promised a manual payment several weeks ago. [22083/98]
Payments amounting to £85.38 and £28.28 relating to 1997 special beef premium and 1997 extensification issued to the person concerned on 19 October 1998.
150 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary regarding grant applications will be dealt with as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22105/98]
The area aid application of the person named has been processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
151 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have her area aid file cleared and a 1997 cattle headage grant paid. [22106/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
152 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will arrange payment of a ten month beef, 22 month beef, beef cow and suckler cow grants due to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that the area aid application was submitted in May 1998. [22107/98]
The 1998 area aid application of the person concerned has been processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
153 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in respect of 14 animals under the ten month beef scheme and five animals under the 22 month beef scheme. [22108/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
154 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will arrange for the balance of payment to be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny under the 1996 BSE top-up grant for eight animals where a reduced rate has been paid. [22109/98]
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 the 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 required that a comparison be carried out between the number of animals qualifying for payment under the 1995 schemes and the number qualifying under the 1996 schemes. Under the regulation only money recouped from farmers who had fewer animals qualifying under the 1996 schemes could be used to make payments to those farmers who had more eligible animals under the 1996 schemes. As the number of eligible animals qualifying for premium under the 1996 schemes exceeded the number qualifying under the 1995 schemes the rates for payment had to be adjusted downwards accordingly. The person named had six eligible animals for payment under the 1995 suckler cow scheme and 14 under the 1996 scheme. He was paid top-up amounting to £57.92 in respect of the eight additional animals.
155 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of outstanding subsidies will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [22110/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
157 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 on 6 October 1998 regarding payment of 1996 suckler cow to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, he will review the matter and arrange to have the balance paid in view of the information supplied. [22112/98]
As already stated in my reply of 6 October 1998 the person named has been paid his full suckler cow entitlement of £1,963.22 less deduction of £102.64. The payment amounts and dates issued are as follows: 13 December 1996, £863.81; 8 August 1997, £825.91; 10 November 1997, £134.40; 26 March 1998, £36.46.
158 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a 1997 extensification payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22153/98]
159 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a suckler cow premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22154/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
An application was lodged under the suckler cow premium scheme in respect of 20 animals by the person named on 28 May 1997. On checking my Department was not satisfied that the person named operated a separate holding from that of her husband in 1997. Both the person named and her husband were informed of the findings by letter on 20 March 1998. As a milk quota in excess of the 25,637 gallon limit was attached to the holding, the person named could not qualify for suckler cow premium grants in 1997.
The matter was appealed in April 1998. Subsequently a suckler cow application was lodged in May. At a meeting with Department officials on 26 June she was advised of the reasons for amalgamation of the two herds and accepted the decision and consequently withdrew her application for 1998 suckler cow premium.
A 1997 extensification premium grant for £1,306.87 issued to the person named on 8 October 1998. The payment was in respect of 32 animals grant aided under the special beef premium scheme.
160 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have his area aid file cleared and cattle headage and suckler cow grants paid. [22182/98]
The 1998 area aid application of the person concerned has been processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
