Ivan Yates
Question:132 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a suckler cow premium and a ewe premium application will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if so, when. [11896/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Under the 1999 ewe premium scheme the person named submitted an application in respect of 1,050 ewes. At an inspection of the sheep on 6 April 1999 a total of 1,085 sheep were presented and accepted. However, at a compliance inspection on 14 April 1999 only 782 ewes were found. The person named failed to give a satisfactory explanation to the Department's inspecting officer why the remainder of the sheep were not presented. Therefore, he was deemed to have made a false declaration and he was notified in writing on 6 May 1999 that the penalty was that he was debarred from the scheme for 1999 and 2000. The person named can have his case reviewed by submitting a written appeal to the inspector in charge, Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo.
The person named applied for the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme in October 1998 in respect of 38 cows. He held a suckler cow quota of 50 premium rights but sold them in 1998. He tried to lease in six premium rights from another farmer but the lessor was precluded, under the regulations, from leasing his quota in 1998. The person named was informed of this in November 1998.
A further lease of three premium rights was received in June 1998 and this has been processed. The person named had, therefore, three premium rights available to him for 1998 and can only be paid the suckler cow premium in respect of three cows i.e. up to his quota level.
Dan Neville
Question:133 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons the fodder relief scheme was not granted to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [11918/99]
The person named does not qualify for assistance under the winter fodder schemes because he did not lodge an application for the 1998 suckler cow premium, ewe premium or sheep headage schemes and he held a milk quota 40,536 gallons at 1 April 1998 which is greater than the 35,000 gallon limit.
My Department has no record of receiving an application from the person named, under the special fodder hardship fund scheme.
John Perry
Question:134 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) will have a favourable decision made on his headage payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11920/99]
Under the terms and conditions of the disadvantaged areas scheme, applicants for grants must occupy and farm at least three hectares of utilised agricultural land, and live in the designated area in which their holding is situated. A farmer living outside the disadvantaged areas but whose holding or part – at least three hectares – of his holding is within a designated area may be eligible for grants under the scheme if he resides within daily commuting distance – 70 miles – of his disadvantaged lands. As the person named does not meet either of these conditions, he is not eligible for headage grants.
Michael Ring
Question:135 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive his special beef premium payment. [11921/99]
The person concerned submitted a 22 month application in respect of one animal on 27 July 1998. An 80 per cent payment of £72.13 issued on 23 October 1998. Payment of 1998 special beef premium balances will commence very shortly.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:136 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be paid a winter fodder scheme grant. [11947/99]
A cheque for £258 was issued to the person named on 7 May 1999, in respect of the special fodder hardship fund scheme. This is her full entitlement under the scheme.