Michael Ring
Question:114 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 sheep headage. [26618/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The 1999 area aid application for the person named has now been fully processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
Michael Ring
Question:115 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage; and, if there is a problem with his area aid application, the reason the unit has not contacted him. [26619/99]
An overclaim has been identified on one of the land parcels claimed by the person named in 1999. A map has issued to him and he has been informed of the extent of this overclaim.
In addition the person named also included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has also been contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until all these outstanding issues have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:116 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will reconsider the penalty imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the genuine error on his 1999 cattle headage application which was a result of him getting an incorrect card on purchasing an animal; and if the penalty of 2.7% on the remainder of his herd will be lifted for headage and premia. [26621/99]
The person named applied on 38 beef cows under the 1999 cattle headage scheme and the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme. At an inspection carried out on 10 August 1999 one of the animals applied on, tag number PRA644663, was absent and the person named was informed by letter of 26 October 1999 that no grant was payable on this animal and that the grants payable on the remaining animals would be subject to a reduced payment in accordance with the terms and conditions governing the schemes. He was given the opportunity to have this decision reviewed by writing to my Department setting out any facts which he wished to put forward to support his case but no reply was received from him.
Under the terms and conditions governing the headage schemes, the combined headage grant payable to an applicant under these schemes cannot exceed £4,000. Payment of £2,000 issued to him under the 1999 cattle headage scheme on 8 December 1999 which, combined with the £2,000 paid to him under the 1999 sheep headage scheme on 27 September 1999 is the maximum payable to the person named.
As the person named did not reply to my Department's letter of 26 October 1999 requesting a review of the penalty decision, his application under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme was processed for payment and accordingly he was paid the 60% advance of £2,875.90 under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme on 2 December 1999. His entitlement under this scheme was subject to the 2.7% penalty. If the person named wishes to provide any new evidence in respect of the animal which was absent at the date of inspection he should write to my Department and the matter will be considered as a matter of urgency.
Michael Ring
Question:117 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 headage and premia payments in view of the fact that proof of his entitlements to his commonage has been submitted. [26622/99]
Under the 1999 ewe premium scheme the person named was paid his first instalment of £478.60 on 11 June 1999 and the second instalment of £245.05 on 20 October 1999. The final instalment falls due early next year. Payment of his entitlement of £580 under the 1999 sheep headage scheme has now issued.
Michael Ring
Question:118 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage in view of the fact that he returned the amended maps to the area aid unit via registered mail on 12 November 1999; and if the delay will be investigated. [26623/99]
As stated in my reply of 30 November 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 220, an overclaim has been identified on one of the land parcels claimed by the person named in 1999. Maps issued to him and he was informed of the extent of this overclaim. Amended maps have now been received back, and are currently being entered on the Department's electronic database. The application can not be further processed until this process is completed.
Michael Ring
Question:120 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage in view of the fact that he has submitted proof of entitlements to his holding. [26626/99]
As stated in my reply of 23 November 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 169, the person named submitted an area aid application which included land in respect of which a dual claim was determined. My Department contacted both herdowners to clarify the matter. The person named has responded indicating that he does have a right to claim the parcels in question, and has been given the benefit of the dual claimed parcels. The application is now fully processed, and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
Michael Ring
Question:121 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a 1999 cattle headage payment in view of the fact that he sent in a certificate of postage of his 1999 area aid application to the area aid unit. [26627/99]
The area aid unit has now received a certificate of postage regarding the 1999 area aid application for the person named. A blank 1999 area aid application form has been sent to the person named so that he can outline his 1999 claim. When this completed application is returned his area aid application will be processed as quickly as possible.
Michael Ring
Question:122 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage and premia in view of the fact that proof of entitlement to commonage shares has been submitted. [26628/99]
The person named included commonage in her 1999 area aid application, but did not provide sufficient proof of her entitlement to claim all of this commonage. She has been contacted in this regard.
Additionally an overclaim has been identified on one of the land parcels claimed by her in 1999. Maps have issued to her and she has also been informed of the extent of this overclaim. No payments can issue until all these outstanding issues have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:123 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 and 1999 cattle and sheep headage payments in view of the fact that all requested documents have been supplied. [26629/99]
As stated in my reply of 15 June the person named was written to regarding commonage and dual claim problems determined on his 1998 area aid application. No response has yet been received to these queries. His applications under the 1998 cattle headage scheme and 1998 sheep headage scheme cannot be processed further until this matter is resolved.
Although the person named did correspond with the area aid unit regarding his 1999 area aid application there are various problems still outstanding. My Department has outlined each problem in detail to him, and is awaiting a response. No payments can issue until this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:124 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage. [26630/99]
The person named did not initially supply the maps necessary to process his 1999 area aid application. The area aid unit issued maps to the person named to enable him to outline the boundaries of the land claimed by him. These maps have not yet been returned to the area aid unit.
In addition the person named included a parcel in respect of which a dual claim was determined. My Department has contacted both herdowners to clarify the matter. No payments can issue until both these matters have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 30 November 1999, the reason incorrect information was given in regard to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when he will receive 1999 cattle headage in view of the fact all maps were returned to his Department several weeks ago. [26632/99]
The position remains as outlined in my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 203 of 30 November 1999. The person named has still not returned to the area aid unit the maps necessary to process his 1999 area aid application. The application can not be further processed until these maps are returned.
Michael Ring
Question:127 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage in view of the fact he submitted the necessary documents to prove his holding entitlements. [26633/99]
The person named submitted an incomplete 1999 area aid application form. He did not give full details of the amounts of commonage parcels that he had included in his application. The area aid unit contacted him in this regard. A reply has been received, but it did not include the necessary proof of his right to claim these commonage parcels. Consequently, the person named has been contacted again. No payments can issue until all outstanding problems have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:128 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 headage and premia payments in view of the fact that he has submitted a certificate of postage as proof of his 1999 area aid application. [26634/99]
The area aid unit has now received a certificate of postage regarding the 1999 area aid application for the person named. A blank 1999 area aid application form has been sent to the person named so that he can outline his 1999 claim. When this completed application is returned his area aid application will be processed as quickly as possible.
Michael Ring
Question:129 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage and special beef premium; and the reason for the incorrect reply which issued in this case previously in view of the fact that his Department did not contact the herd owner a second time. [26635/99]
As stated in my reply of 30 November 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 185, the person named submitted an incomplete 1999 area aid application form. He did not indicate his total claim nor give full details of individual parcels. The area aid unit contacted him in this regard. A reply has been received, but unfortunately this has not fully clarified the position. Consequently, the person named was contacted again. As it seems the person named did not receive this correspondence, he has been contacted once again. No payments can issue until all outstanding problems have been resolved.
Liam Aylward
Question:130 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if an appeal has been considered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny where payment under the suckler cow scheme was refused for one animal in view of the fact the tag was worn; and if payment will be arranged. [26636/99]
Payment of premium was not refused on the basis that a tag was worn. The person in question declared that he was applying for premium on five cows but only listed tag numbers in respect of four individual animals as he listed one tag number twice. As a result full payment has issued in respect of the four cows correctly identified.
My Department has no record of having received an appeal from the person named regarding this matter.
Dinny McGinley
Question:131 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when pay ment of cattle headage will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [26637/99]
The person named applied for a total of 19.09 hectares on his 1999 area aid application form. Following processing of his application an area of 15.97 hectares was determined. This represents a difference of 3.12 hectares or 19.53% between the area claimed and that determined.
Under Article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%, the penalty is based on double the difference when it is between 3% and 20% and when the difference is over 20%, a 100% penalty must be applied. Therefore, in this case a penalty of 6.24 hectares has to be applied leaving the area determined for payment at 9.73 hectares. Any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
Dinny McGinley
Question:132 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment of a sheep headage will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [26638/99]
Based on the acreage as per area aid records the person named received his full entitlement under the 1999 sheep headage including top-up on 9 November 1999 and 8 December 1999, respectively.
Dinny McGinley
Question:133 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment of sheep headage will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [26639/99]
The 1999 area aid application for the person named has now been fully processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
John Perry
Question:134 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 29 September 1999, the progress made on the 1998 area aid application by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the required documents have been released; if he will receive 1998 headage payment before the end of December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26643/99]
As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 29 September 1999, a problem arose in that the applicant did not submit a map showing the boundaries of the plots included on his application. Maps were subsequently issued to the herdowner and have now been returned. The changes are currently being entered on to the Department's electronic database. Any payments due will issue as soon as this process is completed.
John Perry
Question:135 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 2 November 1999, he will ensure that the area aid application and maps of a person (details supplied) will be processed to ensure that cattle headage payment is released; if he will contact the herd owner should further problems be encountered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26644/99]
The two new plots included by the person named in his 1999 area aid application are currently being entered on the Department's electronic database. Any payments that may arise will issue as soon as possible.
John Perry
Question:136 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will waive the penalties imposed on a person (details supplied) in respect of suckler cow premium in view of the medical evidence provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26645/99]
The person named applied for premium on six cows under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme on 4 June 1999. It was established from checking that the person named applied on one animal which was not in her ownership and possession on the date of application. The applicant was written to in relation to this matter on 10 October 1999. In accordance with the regulations the person named was not entitled to payment on the animal concerned and it is a requirement to apply reduction penalties to the other animals on the claim.
My Department will re-examine the case bearing in mind appropriate medical evidence. An advance payment of £332.88 issued to the person named on the 1 November 1999.
John Perry
Question:137 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will have 1999 cattle headage payment made to a person (details supplied); if all area aid problems will be resolved in view of the fact that the requested documents have been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26646/99]
The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide sufficient proof of his entitlement to claim all of this commonage. He has been informed of this and his application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.
John Perry
Question:138 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the area aid problems of a person (details supplied) will be resolved; if he will release 1999 suckler cow and ten month premia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26647/99]
As stated in my reply of 9 November 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 181, the 1999 area aid application of the person named has now been fully processed.
The person concerned lodged three ten month applications on 26 January 1999, 27 May 1999 and 10 August 1999 for five animals, two animals and one animal respectively. Payment will issue in the next two weeks.
The person concerned applied for 1999 suckler cow premium on 25 cows. Payment will issue within the next week.
John Perry
Question:139 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if suckler cow payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that he made a genuine error; if he will waive all penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26648/99]
The person named applied for premium on 17 cows under the 1999 suckler cow scheme on 31 May 1999. On checking the application it was discovered that one of the animals listed on the claim was deemed not to be in the ownership and possession of the applicant when the application was being submitted. In accordance with the regulations the animal in question was rejected with reduction penalties on the other animals on the claim. My Department has no discretion to waive penalties.
John Perry
Question:140 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 9 November 1999, the REPS payment of a person (details supplied) will be examined in view of the submission; if all arrears will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26650/99]
An amended REPS plan was submitted by the person named and has been assessed by my Department, which is satisfied that the revised plan now conforms to the scheme specifications. In all cases where an amended plan is received the scheme conditions and agri-environment specifications in force at time of lodgment must be complied with.
The payment was approved in accordance with the conditions of the scheme in force at the time the amended plan was lodged. In this case the level of payment approved under the amended plan is correct.
Dan Neville
Question:141 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when 1997 and 1998 suckler cow premia will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26678/99]
Dan Neville
Question:142 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a 1995 suckler cow premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the Ombudsman decided in November 1999 that payment should be made. [26679/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The person named applied for premium on 30 suckler cows under the 1995 suckler cow premium scheme on 30 May 1995, on 38 cows under the 1997 scheme on 28 May 1997 and on 47 cows under the 1998 scheme on 28 May 1998.
Under the 1995 scheme the person named was paid an advance of £1640.40 on 19 January 1996 in respect of 20 cows and a balance of £1,093.60 on 24 January 1996. In addition the applicant was paid his full entitlement of £1,367 on the other ten cows on 8 December 1999.
Under the 1997 scheme it was established following an on-farm inspection on 4 November 1997 that ten of the animals on the claim were not properly tagged, which meant that the animals in question were not eligible for premium. Payment of £3926.44 in respect of the other 28 animals on the claim issued on 10 November 1998.
Under the 1998 scheme following an on-farm inspection on 23 July 1998 it was established that 11 animals on the claim had identification errors which resulted in them being deleted without penalty from the claim. It was therefore established that the applicant had an entitlement to payment on 36 animals. The applicant was subsequently paid £3,3814.25 on 27 October 1998, a further payment of £112.99 on 18 November 1998 and a final balance of £1,121.84 on 20 April 1999.
Jim Higgins
Question:143 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received a suckler cow premium. [26680/99]
The person named applied for premium on 15 suckler cows under the 1999 suckler cow premium scheme on 26 May 1999. The suckler cow application has now been processed and payment will issue shortly.
Michael Ring
Question:144 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 headage and premia in view of the fact that all maps and deeds verifying proof of entitlement have been submitted. [26729/99]
As stated in my reply of 30 November 1999 to Parliamentary Question No. 202, the person named did not initially supply the maps necessary to process her 1999 area aid application. The area aid unit issued maps to the person named to enable her to outline the boundaries of the land claimed by her. These maps have now been returned and are currently being entered on to the Department's electronic database with a view to ensuring that any payments due are made as soon as possible.
Michael Ring
Question:145 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a fourth year REPS payment in view of the fact that he was inspected each year for four years. [26730/99]
This person's fourth year application was submitted on 28 October 1999. It was chosen at random for a pre-payment inspection. Arrangements are being made to have the inspection carried out as soon as possible. No payment can issue until the inspection is completed.
Michael Ring
Question:146 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 sheep and cattle headage. [26745/99]
An overclaim has been identified on one of the land parcels claimed by the person named in 1999. Maps have issued to him and he has been informed of the extent of this overclaim.
In addition the person named also included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has also been contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until all these outstanding issues have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:147 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle and sheep headage. [26746/99]
Overclaims have been identified on two of the land parcels claimed by the person named in his 1999 area aid application. Maps have issued to him and he has been informed of the extent of this overclaim.
In addition the person named also included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has also been contacted in this regard. No payments can issue until all these outstanding issues have been resolved.
Michael Ring
Question:148 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage. [26747/99]
This application is still being processed, and my Department will contact both the herdowner concerned and the Deputy in the matter within the next few days.
Michael Ring
Question:149 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage and premia payments. [26744/99]
The person named in this case included commonage in his 1999 area aid application but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The person named has been informed of this and his area aid application and his 1999 sheep headage application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.
Under the 1999 ewe premium scheme the person named was paid the first instalment of £837.49 on 11 June 1999 and the second instalment of £783.09 on 20 October 1999. He also received his rural world premium of £691.97 on 11 June 1999. His entitlement to rural world premium is dependent on his 1999 area aid application being deemed valid.
No applications were received from the person named under the 1999 cattle headage scheme.
John Ellis
Question:150 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if cattle and sheep headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [26801/99]
The person named in this case included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to a share of the commonage. The person named has been informed of this and his application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.
John Ellis
Question:151 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a REP scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [26802/99]
My Department's local farm development service office is processing the application and payment should issue early in the new year.
John Ellis
Question:152 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if cattle and sheep headage and premia will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [26803/99]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
(Mr. Walsh): The 1999 area aid application for the person named has now been fully processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible
Liam Aylward
Question:153 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if early payment of a hardship grant will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [26804/99]
Payment of a hardship grant for the period 2 November 1999 to 22 November 1999, inclusive, will issue shortly to the person concerned.
Matt Brennan
Question:154 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when area aid digitising will be completed for a person (details supplied) to allow headage payments to issue to him prior to Christmas. [26849/99]
The person mentioned submitted an incomplete area aid application form, in that he did not submit a map for one of the plots which he included in his application form. The applicant has been written to in this connection. Processing of the application cannot be completed until the map required is received. Payments cannot issue before processing is completed.