Vol. 528 No. 2
102 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) and waive all penalties on a 2000 cattle headage and suckler cow payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29890/00]
The person named applied for premium on two cows and one heifer under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme and two beef cows and three other animals under the 2000 cattle headage scheme on 24 May 2000.
When office checks were carried out on the claims it was discovered that one animal applied on was not in the applicant's ownership and possession on the date of application. Consequently the person named was deemed to be ineligible for payment under the 2000 cattle headage and suckler cow premium schemes in accordance with the terms and conditions of those schemes.
The applicant was advised of the position by letter on 27 November 2000 and was afforded the opportunity to have the decision reviewed within 21 days. An appeal was lodged with my Department on 7 December 2000 and the result of this appeal established that she will be paid reduced grants for the schemes in question.
The person named was paid the sum of £288 on 24 September 2000 under the cattle headage scheme. On application the reduced rate she is deemed to be have been overpaid £89.60. This amount will be deducted from future payments. In the case of the suckler cow premium the animal in question will be rejected from the claim and a 33.33% reduction penalty, amounting to £98.26, will be applied to the remaining eligible animals.
The person named was informed of the revised decision at a meeting that took place in the local office of my Department on 7 December 2000 she will be formally notified in writing of the decision this week.
