Vol. 523 No. 4
92 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will arrange to have the extensification premium of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny fully re-investigated taking into consideration the case already made on his behalf to the Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/00]
Extensification premium is payable on all animals paid under the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes if the stocking density on the holding is less than 1.40 livestock units per hectare. The stocking density of the holding of the person named was found to be 1.42 lus-ha, therefore, no entitlement to 1999 extensification premium was established.
In regard to 1999 scheme applications the person named applied only for special beef premium on 58 animals on 22 January 1999. At an inspection carried out on 23 April 1999 six of the claimed animals were absent. When asked to account for these animals the person named did not present any evidence to support ownership and possession on the date of application. As a consequence he was disqualified from the scheme for one year. The person named was notified of this decision on 14 July 1999. This decision was appealed on 27 July 1999 and was reviewed by a more senior officer. The appeal was rejected on the grounds that no new evidence was presented to establish ownership of the animals in question. The applicant was informed of this on 3 October 1999 and was given the opportunity to appeal this decision to the appeals unit within 21 days. No such appeal or new evidence has been received to date.
93 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when the balance of sheep headage payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [21323/00]
Under the ewe supplementary measure 1998 which was introduced by my Department in October 1998 flock owners with commonage land in the six western counties, including Donegal, who were not participating in an existing REPS plan were obliged to reduce their ewe numbers by 30 per cent of their existing flock.
In the case of the person named his flock was reduced from 17 ewes to 12 ewes. Payment on the 12 ewes under the 2000 sheep headage scheme was made on 20 September 2000. A further £12 in respect of the top-up will be made next month.
94 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) and have his sheep and cattle headage payment immediately released; if he will make a favourable decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21324/00]
A dual claim has been determined on one of the land parcels claimed by the person named. He and the other herdowner involved have been written to in this connection. No payments can issue until all outstanding matters have been resolved.
My Department has also written to the person named regarding his applications under the 2000 cattle headage scheme and the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme. An animal tag number PMA66325-1 appeared on the applications submitted by another person and my Department has requested the person named to forward his herd register to the district livestock office in order to clarify the matter.
