Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John Perry

Question:

134 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a suckler cow quota of three premium rights for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will not be returned to the national reserve in view of the fact that he was under medical supervision in April and May and taking into consideration the fact that he is a full-time farmer with the required number of animals and has had quota for over 15 years; if the decision will be rescinded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5912/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The person named may retain his suckler cow quota of ten premium rights on the basis that he will use at least 90% of the quota himself in the year 2000.

John Perry

Question:

135 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that a person (details supplied) in County Sligo has encountered on her REP scheme payment; if he will ensure that the information requested is made available to her in view of the financial pressures that she is experiencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5921/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The person named was admitted to the REP scheme on 1 November 1996 and made application under Supplementary Measure 6 (Organic Farming). She received payment under this measure in 1998 and 1999. She has received her basic REPS payment for 2000 but full payment for supplementary measure 6 has not been made as some adjustment may be required in respect of payments made previously. Any such adjustment is not likely to be substantial, and the balance of any amount due will be paid at the earliest opportunity.

My Department will be directly in touch with the person named within the next ten days and will give her any information she may require.

John Perry

Question:

136 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 15 December 1999, he will again reassess the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in view of the fact that he conformed to the retention clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5922/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

It is a condition of the sheep headage scheme that applicants must have a minimum of three hectares to qualify for payment. The person registered under herd number U1091235 agreed to an amendment to her 1999 area aid application to allow two parcels of land included in her application to be transferred to another herdowner's application thus reducing the area on her own application to 0.71 hectares. Consequently, she does not satisfy the minimum three hectares required in order to qualify for headage payments.

Similarly in the case of herdowner U1051829 the executor of his estate agreed to an amendment to the 1999 area aid application, giving another herdowner the right to claim the only parcel of land on the application. Since it is a condition of the sheep headage scheme that applicants farm at least three hectares the executor cannot be paid sheep headage in respect of the deceased herdowner's application unless it can be shown that she was compelled to let the holding of the deceased for acceptable force majeure reasons.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

137 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when reactor compensation will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5923/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

My Department is not in a position to determine brucellosis compensation entitlements in this case until such time as the person with the above herd number furnishes essential information requested by the local district veterinary office. Grant categoristion of the herd will take place as soon as that information is furnished.