Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John McGuinness

Question:

232 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department will reconsider an application for grant aid for the construction of a milking parlour for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in view of the fact that, to meet regulations, construction had to start prior to the commencement date of the scheme; if he will consider an application for extra milk quota in the same name and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8915/00]

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

An application under the national scheme of investment aid for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards from the person named was received in my Department in August 1999. It is a strict condition of this scheme that the prior written approval of my Department must be obtained before commencement of any development work. As the works on which aid was sought under the application in this case had commenced at the time of initial inspection and prior to the completion of processing and issue of any approval, the applicant is ineligible for grant aid under this scheme.

I presume that the milk quota aspect refers to the allocation of the additional quantities secured under Agenda 2000. The eligibility criteria for the allocation to producers of the additional 20.5 million gallons of milk quota were announced by me at the end of last year.

Of this additional quota available from 1 April 2000, 15 million gallons will be allocated to active milk producers with quotas of less than 55,000 gallons who have demonstrated a commitment to dairying by filling their existing quota and acquir ing additional quota. A further five million gallons will be allocated to younger dairy farmers with quotas of less than 35,000 gallons who have shown similar commitment. It was necessary to set strict eligibility criteria for the allocation of the extra quota in order to maximise its effect. On the basis of the information available to my Department, the person named does not meet the eligibility criteria for these schemes and, therefore, is not entitled to an allocation.

I will, however, in due course, announce details for the allocation of the remaining 500,000 gallons that has been set aside for special cases arising out of the operation of the general distribution and if the person named qualifies under that scheme he may apply at that stage.

John Perry

Question:

233 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo applied for the ten month premium and posted all the documentation on 31 January to qualify for the first stage premium, he was under the impression that the Department would receive the letter on 2 February but it was received a day earlier; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the cards were not processed by the Department on 1 February; if he will include the animal for payment and amend the date of registration as 2 February as was the applicant's intention and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8916/00]

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

The special beef premium application in this case was for five animals and was received in the Department on 1 February 2000. The particular animal referred to in the question, IE 321117720022, meets the age requirements for first age premium on that date along with three of the other animals applied on. The remaining animal, IE 321117770027, carries a date of birth 2 July 1999 and does not meet the age requirement for first age premium until the following day, 2 February 2000.

The applicant has been notified of the position and also that he can reapply on the animal without penalty.

John Perry

Question:

234 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to parliamentary Question No. 120 on 14 October 1999, he will reconsider the case based on the details supplied and taking into consideration the fact that he acted solely on the advice of the Department's farm advisory service and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8918/00]

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

My Department is re-examining the case on foot of the details supplied by the Deputy. The Deputy will be informed directly of the result.