Vol. 503 No. 6
104 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of people on the waiting list for payment of brucellosis reactor and depopulation grants in each county; and the status regarding staffing levels operating in this area. [10673/99]
Under the brucellosis eradication scheme, a number of essential documents must be completed by or received from the herd owner before the appropriate grant categorisation can be determined by the local district veterinary office. On receipt of such documentation, the district veterinary office carries out the required checks prior to certifying grant payments.
In 19 of the 27 district veterinary offices, there are no brucellosis payments awaiting certification for payment where all the essential documentation has been received. In the remaining eight district veterinary offices there are a total of 58 cases at various stages of checking. Except for those cases where deficiencies in the information furnished are identified during the checking process and where further contact with the herd owner is necessary, these cases will be processed for payment at an early date.
The breakdown of the total of 58 is as follows:
|
District Veterinary Office |
Number of Cases Being Checked |
|
Cavan |
6 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
|
Galway |
2 |
|
Tipperary North |
13 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Cork North-East |
3 |
|
Cork South-West |
6 |
|
Limerick |
26 |
105 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to a departmental error a person (details supplied) was never furnished with a 1998 area aid application form; if a form will now be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10675/99]
The Department of Agriculture and Food issues pre-printed area aid application forms as a service to farmers. However, the onus rests with all herd owners to submit an area aid application form before the closing date. My Department did not receive an application form in respect of the 1998 area aid scheme from the person named. An application cannot now be accepted for 1998.
106 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if outstanding difficulties on an area aid application for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be resolved and cattle headage payments released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10676/99]
There was a parcel of land on the 1998 area aid application for the above named which was also being claimed by another applicant. Both applicants were contacted regarding this matter and the person named admitted that he did not have the right to declare this parcel on his application. The area of this land parcel constituted an over-claim in excess of 20 per cent. Under EU regulations this results in the application of a 100 per cent penalty.
107 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a favourable decision will be made on a fodder scheme payment for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that he has suckler cows and ewes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10677/99]
The person named was paid £108.00, including a 50 per cent top-up, under the winter fodder scheme on 29 March 1999 for 18 ewes. He is due a further payment under this scheme on his suckler cows. Payment (including a 50 per cent top-up) will be made shortly.
108 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 177 of 2 February 1999, the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be re-examined with a view to paying him the balance of benefit under area aid; and if the Department will accept that the issue of a dual claim has been resolved. [10687/99]
The area aid application from the person concerned has been processed. However, one parcel of land declared by the applicant has also been declared by another herd owner. A second query letter has issued to both applicants in order to resolve this dual claim. As soon as the matter is rectified any outstanding payments can issue.
109 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agri culture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle headage, a suckler cow premium and winter fodder aid. [10694/99]
The person named declared his forage area as 2.87 hectares in his 1998 area aid application. Clause 11 of the terms and conditions governing the 1998 cattle headage scheme requires that applicants under the scheme must occupy and farm at least three hectares of utilised agricultural land. Accordingly, as he does not have sufficient forage area, he is not eligible for grants under the cattle headage scheme.
He did not hold a milk quota in 1998 and did not apply for grants under the 1998 ewe premium or sheep headage schemes. He did, however, apply for the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme but did not have a suckler cow quota. He did not, therefore, qualify for grants under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme or the 1998 or 1999 winter fodder schemes.
110 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle headage and a suckler cow premium. [10695/99]
After processing of the area aid application of the herdowner named, overclaims on some parcels were determined, resulting in a 100 per cent penalty being applied. However, to afford the applicant a final opportunity to make amendments to the area determined, maps have issued showing the area determined by the area aid unit.
