Vol. 502 No. 3
226 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was excluded from drawing the beef premium on three animals had his cattle identity cards punched which denies others the opportunity of drawing the premium in respect of the three animals. [8051/99]
It would appear that this question relates to applications lodged in 1997. The person named lodged a bull premium application in respect of one animal and a 22 month application in respect of two animals. He did not submit an area aid application. His premium entitlements were restricted to 15 livestock units. However, as he had a milk quota of 28,962 gallons, the equivalent of 32.29 livestock units, no premium was payable on the animals in question. In cases such as this, the EU regulations governing the schemes require that animals be deemed to have received the premium and, accordingly, the cattle identity cards had to be stamped and punched.
The person named did not lodge beef premium applications in 1998.
227 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a REP scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [8052/99]
The applicant's REPS plan commenced on 1 November 1996. This case was selected at random for a pre-payment check in year two of REPS. On foot of the on-farm inspection carried out, a 100 per cent penalty was imposed because of the removal of internal fences/habitats.
An appeal was lodged by the applicant on 3 February 1999. This is currently being examined by the Department's regional inspector. He will be writing to the applicant shortly requesting additional information with regard to the appeal.
228 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a ewe premium, fodder allowance and sheep headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [8067/99]
The herdowner concerned did not lodge any maps with his area aid application. My Department has written to him in this connection. If the relevant maps are provided by the herd- owner before 31 March, the application will be processed. Otherwise it will have to be rejected.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has decided to provide further aid to alleviate the fodder crisis. My Department is currently finalising arrangements for this scheme and it is hoped to commence payment within the next week.
229 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when cattle headage and fodder allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [8068/99]
The person named did not lodge an application under the 1998 cattle headage scheme.
In addition he did not lodge an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium, ewe premium or sheep headage schemes, did not hold a milk quota at 1 April 1998 and has not submitted an application for the 1999 special fodder hardship scheme. Therefore, he does not qualify for assistance under the winter fodder schemes.
230 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of outstanding 1999 sheep headage will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [8087/99]
There were overclaims on the area aid application of the person named. A query letter regarding these overclaims issued to the person named but no reply was received. A second letter has since issued. The area aid application of the person named cannot be further processed until a reply is received.
231 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle headage and premia in view of the fact he has proof of postage as evidence that his 1998 area aid application was submitted. [8088/99]
No area aid application was received from the person concerned. However, if the person named forwards a postal certificate as proof of postage and a copy of the original application form submitted, my Department will have it processed.
