Vol. 517 No. 1
121 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason for the delay in paying the Border region pig producers who qualify for the special aid scheme for pig producers; when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9235/00]
In late January, I announced details of an aid package for pig farmers in the Border region who suffered financial difficulties as a result of a fire at a Northern Ireland pigmeat plant. A total of £1 million was made available under the aid package.
My Department is currently at an advanced stage in processing claims, which because of the nature of the scheme must be on a case by case basis. Some applications, however, cannot be processed at all due to lack of documentation, and my Department has been in contact with the applicants concerned asking them to submit the necessary documentation without further delay.
122 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will pay hardship funding to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [9236/00]
A hardship grant payment in respect of the period 14 January to 13 February 2000 issued to the person in question last week. Payment for the period 14 February to 14 March 2000, that is, the date on which the holding was derestricted, is currently being processed by the district veterinary office and will be made shortly.
