Vol. 527 No. 5
118 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress that has been made on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in relation to his area aid application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29035/00]
The appeal lodged by the herdowner concerning his 1999 area aid application was fully examined by the headage and premia appeals unit. The medical records submitted with the appeal do not confirm that the herdowner was hospitalised at the time of application. The herdowner was notified on 4 August 2000 that his appeal was unsuccessful.
119 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of herds inspected and the number of payments made to farmers under the suckler cow scheme for 2000; the way in which these statistics compare to those for all other counties; and the reason payments to farmers in County Westmeath are being delayed. [29091/00]
The position with regard to headage and premium payments generally is that since 1 January 2000 some £712 million has been paid to farmers of which in excess of £406 million relates to payments made under the 2000 schemes. To date in 2000, some £19 million has been paid to farmers in County Westmeath. The position with regard to payments under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme is that over 90% of applicants in County Westmeath have now been paid their entitlements whereas 88% of all applicants countrywide have been paid to date.
The total number of applications received under 2000 suckler cow premium was 71,511 of which 1,668 were received in County Westmeath. Under EU regulations at least 10% of applications must be field inspected. The cases are selected by risk analysis. In addition some others have to be selected for inspection because of queries on their applications, problems with previous year's applications, etc.
The vast majority of unpaid cases in County Westmeath and indeed at national level are resulting from errors in area aid applications and in scheme applications which have to be resolved before payment is made. In addition a small number of cases have to be inspected to determine their eligibility and payment will be made as soon as this is established. It should be noted, however, that, ultimately, not all applicants get paid because a small proportion are deemed to be ineligible for one reason or another.
120 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be paid beef premium payments; and the reason for the delay in processing same. [29092/00]
The person named applied for special beef premium on 17 January 2000 in respect of 26 animals. Payment of 60% advances began in October in line with the EU regulations governing the scheme. Payment to the person named was processed and issued in November.
121 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) and have a 2000 suckler payment immediately released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29093/00]
The person named applied for premium on seven suckler cows under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme for small scale milk producers on 16 May 2000.
