Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Ivan Yates

Question:

96 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be paid special beef premium payments on an outstanding claim in 1998 in view of the genuine circumstances relating to the application and the retention period. [2883/99]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The person named applied for eight animals on 8 January 1998 for the 22 month special beef premium scheme. Three animals were deemed to be too young for the above premium and as such the cards were returned to the herdowner with a letter dated 9 February 1998 informing him of the position.

He reapplied for the three animals concerned on 13 February 1998. The retention period begins on the day after the day that a valid application is received by the Department.

This is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the scheme. Therefore, the three animals concerned should not have been sold before 14 April 1998.

However, the animals were slaughtered on 9 April 1998 which was inside the required retention period, and as such the three animals were rejected with penalties. The above named was notified of this decision in a letter dated 5 January 1999.