Enda Kenny
Question:240 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments arising from an error in area aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5096/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The application was fully processed by the area aid unit of my Department some months ago. Payments under the headage/beef premium/ suckler cow schemes issued to the herd owner in October 1998.
Michael Ring
Question:241 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage and premia payments considering that she was promised payment some time ago in a previous parliamentary question. [5141/99]
Payment of the balance of the 1998 sheep headage grant including top-up was made to the person named on 19 February 1999. The final instalment of the 1998 ewe premium will be paid within a week of the regulation authorising payment being published. I understand that publication of the regulation is imminent.
Michael Ring
Question:242 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a suckler cow premium considering that the area aid unit confirmed his application was cleared some time ago. [5142/99]
The applicant applied for a total of 45.21 hectares. Following processing in the area aid unit, the actual area determined was 42.37 hectares. As the difference between the area claimed and the area found is greater than 3 per cent under EU regulations a penalty of double the difference between the area claimed and the area determined must apply. Therefore, the area on which, area aid related payments will be calculated is 36.69 hectares. Processing of the application has now been completed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible. My Department is sending maps to the person con cerned and outlining the differences between the areas claimed and the areas determined in order to afford him the opportunity to examine and, if appropriate, correct the areas determined by the Department.
John Perry
Question:243 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if sheep and cattle headage payments will be released for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim in view of the fact he is only away from his holding for two days per week as indicated in the employer's letter submitted to his Department; if the decision will be rescinded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5155/99]
The headage schemes are open to registered herd owners who occupy and farm at least three hectares, 7.5 acres, of agricultural land, including rough grazing, commonage and-or mountain grazing, or have equivalent grazing rights in a designated area and who reside in the designated area in which their holding is situated. A farmer resident outside the disadvantaged areas but whose holding or part of – at least three hectares – is within a designated area may be eligible for grants under the scheme if he or she resides within 70 miles of his or her disadvantaged area lands. As the person named does not live within 70 miles of his disadvantaged lands he is not eligible under the headage schemes. If the person can provide evidence to my Department that he is living on a permanent basis within 70 miles of his holding, any applications he makes under the 1999 headage schemes will be considered.
Billy Timmins
Question:244 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow will be paid an equine payment. [5156/99]
The person named will be paid her entitlement under the 1998 equine headage scheme within the next two weeks.
Michael Creed
Question:245 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to benefit under the revised fodder scheme. [5162/99]
My Department is currently finalising arrangements for the distribution of aid under the 1999 winter fodder scheme. The person named will be considered for assistance under the new measure.
Michael Creed
Question:246 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to benefit under the new fodder scheme. [5165/99]
My Department is currently finalising arrangements for the distribution of aid under the 1999 winter fodder scheme. The person named will be considered for assistance under the new measure.
Jim Higgins
Question:247 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in a REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [5169/99]
Payment issued to the person concerned on 8 February 1999.
Michael Ring
Question:248 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle and sheep headage and a suckler cow premium. [5170/99]
The person named was paid his full entitlement to 1998 cattle and sheep headage in November 1998. There is no application from this herdowner under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme. Therefore he has no entitlement to payment under this scheme for 1998.
Michael Ring
Question:249 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage payments and a suckler cow premium. [5171/99]
A dual claim was identified on two of the parcels claimed by the applicant and letters issued from my Department to the two claimants concerned seeking clarification on this matter. When this is received, processing of the application from the person concerned will be completed.
Michael Ring
Question:250 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage payments. [5172/99]
A dual claim was identified on two of the parcels claimed by the applicants and letters issued from my Department to each of the claimants concerned seeking clarification on this matter. When this is received, processing of the application from the persons concerned will be completed.
John Perry
Question:251 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) will be included in the fodder scheme; if payment will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5173/99]
My Department is presently finalising arrangements for the distribution of aid under the 1999 winter fodder scheme. The person named will be considered for assistance under the new measure.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:252 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork did not receive payment of a fodder aid grant. [5224/99]
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 1998-9 season.
The person named did not have a herd number in a designated DED but did lodge a 1998 sheep headage application for ten sheep and had mountain grazings. He was paid his full entitlement of £40 under the 1998 winter fodder package and will qualify for a top-up of 50 per cent under the 1999 scheme. The question of any entitlement in respect of milk supplied will also be examined under the 1999 scheme. My Department is presently finalising arrangements and it is hoped to issue payments at an early date.