Vol. 500 No. 1
153 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he intends to confine the new fodder scheme to those areas that benefited previously; and if he will ensure that those farmers who have a split holding, part of which is in the existing approved area for the scheme, will benefit. [3553/99]
164 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all areas of County Mayo can apply for assistance under the new 1999 fodder aid scheme; and if dry stock farmers are eligible for assistance. [3565/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 164 together.
I announced the general outlines of the 1999 fodder scheme last week. The details of the scheme are currently being finalised and will be announced shortly.
154 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when cattle headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [3554/99]
A query arose in relation to a parcel of land that was also being claimed by another herdowner. Maps issued to the herdowners concerned and the area aid application for the person named was finalised with a penalty being applied to the forage area. The resultant penalty reduced the area of the person named to below the minimum area of three hectares required for payment of headage.
155 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when sheep headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [3555/99]
The area aid application of the person named was selected for inspection in accordance with EU regulations. The results of this inspection have now been received and processed. Payment in respect of sheep headage will issue as soon as possible.
156 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when sheep headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [3556/99]
An incomplete area aid application was received from the person named in May 1998. The application was returned to the herdowner on the 4th September requesting the completion of areas details. No reply has been received todate from the person named.
Headage payments cannot issue to the person named until the completed area aid application is returned to my Department and found to be in order after full processing.
157 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the case being made by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be investigated in relation to the difficulties being experienced by him due to the fodder crisis; his entitlements, if any, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3557/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer must have a herd number in one of the designated DEDs. The DEDs were designated on the basis of an examination by Teagasc of areas most affected by the bad weather.
As the person named did not have a herd number in one of the designated DEDs he was not entitled to payment under the 1998 winter fodder package.
As the Deputy is aware a new fodder scheme has now been agreed by the Government, details of which are being finalised and will be announced shortly.
158 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to an area aid application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact a spot check has already occurred. [3558/99]
The area aid application of the person named was selected for inspection as he was a first time applicant. The results of this inspection have now been received. Any outstanding payments will issue as soon as possible.
159 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of cattle headage and suckler cow payments to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and when payment will issue in this regard. [3559/99]
There is an overclaim on one parcel of land declared on the area aid application of the person named. A letter and maps have been sent to the person named in order to resolve this query. The area aid application will be processed as soon as a reply to this query is received.
160 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid 1998 area aid. [3560/99]
The 1998 area aid application submitted by the person concerned included incomplete information. The difficulties have been resolved on foot of correspondence received from Teagasc and the area aid application has now been cleared. All outstanding payments will issue as soon as possible.
