Vol. 499 No. 3
211 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider extending the hardship grants scheme to herds affected by disease breakdown for the period between the first and second test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2752/99]
The hardship grant is aimed at assisting eligible herdowners with a restricted holding where animals are retained and fed during extended period of restriction. An essential prerequisite for eligibility is that the holding of the herdowner continues to be restricted following a herd re-test.
The current hardship grant eligibility period commenced on 1 November 1998 and will run until 30 April 1999. A significant amendment was introduced to the 1998-9 hardship grant conditions to allow herdowners who received hardship grant payments in respect of a previous cycle of the hardship grant scheme in 1996-7 or 1997-8 to qualify during the 1998-9 cycle, provided they meet all the eligibility criteria for the 1998-9 hardship grant.
212 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the impact, if any, on farmers area aid in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo if they give up some of their land to allow the community to use it as a walkway by a river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2831/99]
Under EU regulations, land claimed as forage area under the EU area aid scheme must be available to the applicant for rearing animals for a minimum period of seven months starting any date between 1 January and 31 March of the relevant year.
If the area in question fulfils the above conditions then it can form part of the area aid declaration.
213 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a cattle headage payment. [2835/99]
There was an overclaim associated with this application which has now been resolved. The area aid application for the person named has been finalised and any outstanding payments due will issue as soon as possible.
214 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a cattle headage payment. [2836/99]
There is a plot of land on the area aid application of the person named for which no map was submitted. My Department has supplied a map to the person concerned requesting that the plot be identified. When this has been done the application will be finalised.
215 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a cattle headage payment. [2837/99]
There is a plot of land on the area aid application of the person named for which no map was submitted. My Department has supplied a map to the person concerned requesting that the plot be identified. When this has been done the application will be finalised.
216 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a cattle headage payment. [2838/99]
The person named will be paid his entitlement under the 1998 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks.
217 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive cattle and sheep headage payments. [2839/99]
There is a plot of land on the area aid application of the person named for which no map was submitted. My Department has supplied a map to the person concerned requesting that the plot be identified. When this has been done the application will be finalised.
218 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive cattle and sheep headage payments. [2840/99]
There was a commonage overclaim on the application as a result of which each shareholder including the applicant was asked for evidence of their entitlement to the commonage share claimed. The required evidence has not been received to date. Until the information is received the application cannot be further processed.
219 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim did not receive a fodder grant. [2841/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer had to have a herd number in one of the designated DEDs and (a) have lodged an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme and have a suckler cow quota; or (b) have mountain grazing on the 1997 area aid application and have an application submitted under the 1998 sheep headage scheme or (c) have a permanent milk quota of 35,000 gallons or less on 1 April 1998 and be active in milk production in the 1998-9 season.
The person named has a herd number in a designated DED, but did not lodge any applications and is not active in milk production. He did not, therefore, qualify for aid under the 1998 winter fodder package.
220 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim did not receive a fodder grant. [2842/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer had to have a herd number in one of the designated DEDs and (a) have lodged an application under the 1998 suck ler cow premium scheme and have a suckler cow quota; or (b) have mountain grazing on the 1997 area aid application and have an application submitted under the 1998 sheep headage scheme or (c) have a permanent milk quota of 35,000 gallons or less on 1 April 1998 and be active in milk production in the 1998-9 season.
The person named has a herd number in a designated DED, but does not have any mountain grazing, did not lodge any application for suckler cow premium and did not have a milk quota of 35,000 gallons or less. He did not, therefore, qualify for aid under the 1998 winter fodder package.
