P. J. Sheehan
Question:169 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive a fodder aid grant. [3570/99]
Written Answers - Grant Payments.
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.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:170 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive a fodder aid grant. [3571/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer had to have: (a) mountain grazing and have an application submitted under the 1998 sheep headage scheme; or (b) a herd number in one of the designated DEDs and have lodged an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme and hold a suckler cow quota; 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 1998-99 season.
The person named has a herd number in a designated DED, but did not lodge an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium or sheep headage schemes and did not have a milk quota at 1 April 1998. He did not, therefore, qualify for aid under the 1998 winter fodder package.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farm retirement pension will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3598/99]
The person named applied for an early retirement pension on 3 November 1998. Due to the volume of work a backlog has arisen in the processing of applications. It is expected that this application will be processed within the next four to six weeks.
In no case does the processing time result in a financial loss to a retiring farmer. The operational procedures for the scheme specifically ensure that the date of receipt in the Department of a valid application determines the date from which payment is made.
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:174 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when 1997 cattle headage and suckler cow payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3600/99]
The person named was paid his 1997 cattle headage scheme grant of £2,096.64 on 31 October 1997.
The person named was paid a grant of £3,500.15 under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme; the 60 per cent advance of £2,100.08 was paid on 9 December 1997 and the balance of £1,400.07 was paid on 14 May 1998.
The closing date for receipt of the 1997 cattle headage scheme application and the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme application was 30 May 1997. The person named submitted his applications under these schemes on 6 June 1997 and, in accordance with clause 16 of the terms and conditions governing the 1997 cattle headage scheme and clause 20 of the terms and conditions governing the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme, the grants payable under these schemes were reduced by 4 per cent.