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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John Perry

Question:

129 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the back payment requested by his Department from a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be waived in view of the fact that the animal in question was put through all veterinary procedures and local marts; if his attention has been drawn to the unnecessary stress this error has caused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16800/99]

The person named applied under the special beef premium scheme in December 1992 on seven male animals. He was paid the premium in June 1993. An animal bearing the tag number attributed to one of the seven animals on the special beef premium application was subsequently applied on under the suckler cow scheme in another herd. On examining veterinary records it was established that the tag number related to a female animal. As male animals only are eligible for beef premium, my Department has no option but to seek recovery of this payment which was EU funded.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

130 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to 1998 and 1999 headage grant payments for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [16872/99]

The person named was paid his full entitlement of £1,626.60 under the 1998 cattle headage scheme on 8 December 1998.

The person named was paid his full entitlement of £1,900.00 under the 1998 sheep headage scheme on 8 December 1998 and his full entitlement of £235.00 under the 1998 sheep headage top-up on 10 December 1998. No applications under the 1998 equine headage scheme and goat headage scheme were received from the person named.

As a result of non-compliance with the conditions of the rural environment protection Scheme a sum of £6,210.08 has to be recouped from other grants due to him by the Department. To date, a total of £3,577.99 has been recovered by the Department, comprising £336.56 under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme, £1,079.96 under the 1998 ewe premium scheme, £517.56 under the 1998 extensification premium scheme and £1,643.91 under the 1999 ewe premium scheme. A balance of £2,632.09 remains and will be recovered from further grants falling due to the person named.

Applications submitted under the 1999 cattle headage scheme and sheep headage scheme are currently being processed by my Department and it is anticipated that payments under these schemes will commence in September of this year.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

131 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to first time calvers in the suckler cow herd where the calf dies at birth and where a replacement calf is secured; if this animal will qualify for suckler cow and beef cow premia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16873/99]

Under the regulations governing the suckler cow premium and cattle headage schemes, an eligible cow is one which belongs to a meat breed, or is born of a cross with a meat breed, and belongs to a herd intended for rearing calves for meat production. If it is possible from visual examination or supporting documentation to establish that the animal applied on meets this definition, it is not normally necessary to have a calf at foot. Where a replacement calf is suckling a cow, the eligibility of that cow is established.

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