Michael Creed
Question:176 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid the outstanding balance of 1997 and 1998 cattle headage and beef premium grants. [5848/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
No applications under the 1997 cattle headage scheme and the 1998 cattle headage scheme have been received from the person named.
The person named submitted two applications for special beef premium under the 1997 schemes, a 22 month application in respect of two animals and a bull premium application in respect of one animal.
The person named did not submit a 1997 area aid application. Therefore, his entitlement to payment is limited to 15 livestock units. However, as he is registered as having a milk quota of 28,962 gallons, he is due no payment under the special beef premium scheme as this quota is the equivalent of 32.27 livestock units.
The person named submitted no applications for special beef premium under the 1998 schemes.
John Perry
Question:177 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) will be included in the fodder relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5850/99]
The person named did not lodge an application under the 1998 ewe premium or sheep headage schemes and did not hold a suckler cow premium quota in 1998 or a milk quota at 1 April 1998. Therefore, he does not qualify for payment under the 1998 or 1999 fodder schemes. If he wishes to be considered under the special fodder hardship scheme 1999, he should contact his local Teagasc office for an application form and general conditions. It will be open to him to assess his eligibility against the criteria outlined in these conditions. Based on his assessment he may wish to lodge an application for the scheme on or before 4 March 1999.
John Perry
Question:178 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if area aid problems will be resolved for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if cattle headage payments will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5851/99]
A query arose in relation to two parcels of land that are being claimed by another herdowner. Maps have issued to both the herdowners concerned with the aim of having the matter clarified. Payments cannot issue until the area aid difficulties are resolved.
John Perry
Question:179 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a fodder payment will be released for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that his land is in a district electoral division area that is included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5852/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer must be resident and 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 reside in one of the designated DEDs, he was not entitled to payment under the 1998 winter fodder package. My Department is presently finalising arrangements for the distribution of aid under the 1999 winter fodder scheme and the person named will be considered for assistance under the new measure.
John Perry
Question:180 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Sligo has not received suckler cow payments; if his payments will be immedi ately released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5854/99]
The person named submitted an unsigned application under the 1998 suckler cow premium and cattle headage schemes on 5 June 1998. This application was returned for signature and was resubmitted on 10 July 1998. However, when resubmitted all animals originally submitted for suckler cow premium were deleted and added to his cattle headage application.
He then submitted an application on 29 October 1998 under the October suckler cow premium scheme. Under the regulations, payment under the October suckler cow premium scheme cannot commence until the six months' retention period has lapsed and all other office checks are completed. It is expected to commence payment under the October 1998 suckler cow premium scheme in early May.
Jim Higgins
Question:181 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of area aid and livestock grants will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo whose acreage for area aid has been checked and verified as correct. [5855/99]
The person named was paid his full entitlement of £1,046 under the 1998 cattle headage scheme on 29 October 1998. He was paid £100 under the 1998 sheep headage scheme on 29 October 1998. The top-up under this scheme will be paid shortly.
The person named was paid his full entitlement of £252.39 under the 1998 ewe premium scheme: the first advance of £118.61 was paid on 19 June 1998, the second advance of £58.60 was paid on 22 October 1998 and the final instalment of £75.18 was paid on 26 February 1999.
The person named was paid an 80 per cent advance of £1,442.71 for his 1998 ten month special beef premium applications. He was paid an 80 per cent advance of £1,370.57 for his 1998 22 month special beef premium applications. He was paid an 80 per cent advance of £89.59 for his 1998 bull premium application.
The fact that Ireland has exceeded its national quota under the 1998 special beef premium scheme means the balancing payments under this scheme cannot commence until all 1998 ten month applications have been examined and processed.
Michael Ring
Question:182 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment under the 1998 ten month special beef premium scheme and the fodder aid package. [5856/99]
The person concerned lodged two ten month applications under the 1998 special beef premium scheme on 10 March 1998 and 18 May 1998 for seven and four animals respectively.
Payments in respect of the seven animals amounting to £504.95, 80 per cent, and in respect of the four animals amounting to £288.54, 80 per cent issued to the herdowner on 19 October 1998. Balancing payments under the special beef premium scheme cannot commence until all 1998 ten month applications have been examined and processed and the position of Ireland's national beef premium quota is determined.
The person named received his full entitlement of £300 under the 1998 winter fodder package and will qualify for a top-up of 50 per cent under the 1999 scheme. My Department is at present finalising arrangements for this scheme.
Michael Ring
Question:183 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received payment under the fodder scheme. [6047/99]
The person named is one of a small number of sheep headage applicants who were not paid a fodder supplement by 31 December 1998 because of difficulties in determining the overall amount of mountain grazing available to them. My Department is at present finalising arrangements for the payment of these people.
Michael Ring
Question:184 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the second part of 1998 sheep headage and a ewe premium. [6048/99]
The person named was paid the final instalment of the 1998 ewe premium on 26 February 1999. Payment of the 1998 sheep headage, including top up, was made to the person named in respect of 26 sheep on 29 September 1998 and 30 November 1998, respectively. However, following an up to date of the forage area on the area aid file, a balancing payment is now due in respect of 64 sheep. This payment will be made shortly.