Vol. 534 No. 3
119 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a REP scheme payment; and if he will intervene in this case to ensure the payment can be expedited. [10663/01]
This application was received in my Department on 26 February 2001 and is being processed in accordance with the provisions of the protocol on direct payments to farmers.
120 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider making 2001 extensification payments earlier in 2001. [10664/01]
The position is that since 1 January 2001, almost 493,000 cheques with a value in excess of £178 million issued to farmers under the 2000 headage and premium schemes. Since 1 March 2001, some 174,000 cheques valued at more than £56 million have been paid to livestock farmers of which 111,000 payments, totalling £10 million, were paid during the last ten days mainly under euro compensation to beef and sheep producers. In addition, more than 160,000 cheques estimated at £6 million, also under euro compensation, are expected to issue to special beef premium applicants during this month. Euro compensation of almost £5 million has already been paid to REPS participants.
I am conscious of the needs of farmers at this time, which is why the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and I recently put arrangements in place to fast-track the processing of applications under the farm assist scheme in respect of farmers who have been affected by the foot and mouth disease problem.
In so far as payment of extensification premium is concerned, it is presumed that the Deputy is referring to premium in respect of the year 2000 rather than 2001. Under the protocol on direct payments to farmers, my Department is committed to paying the 2000 extensification premium in June 2001 and to having payments in all eligible cases completed by 30 June 2001, in line with EU rules. However, in view of the current difficulties being experienced by farmers, I have asked my officials to examine prospects for achieving an earlier payment date.
121 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a suckler cow grant for 2000 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10676/01]
122 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when funding will be made available to deal with the large number of applicants who have applied under the control of farmyard pollution scheme; and if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship imposed on applicants by the delay in paying the grants. [10686/01]
Funding has been allocated to meet grant payments arising under the national scheme for the control of farmyard pollution. Payments are being made within the two month period set down in the charter of rights for farmers and there is no delay in making such payments.
123 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a control of farmyard pollution grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [10687/01]
Under the national scheme for the control of farmyard pollution, a payment will issue today, 10 April, to the person named.
124 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a grant payment; and the reason for the delay in paying same. [10768/01]
Under the national scheme for the control of farmyard pollution, a payment will issue today, 10 April, to the person named. There was no delay in making the payment.
125 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a grant; the reason for the delay in paying same. [10769/01]
Under the national scheme for the control of farmyard pollution, a payment will issue today, 10 April, to the person named. There was no delay in making the payment.
126 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if there is any update in the information he provided in correspondence dated 9 March 2001 regarding a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan and her premium payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10777/01]
The position is that, as outlined in my letter of 9 March 2001, the area aid application from the person concerned has been processed. She applied on six cows under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme and the 2000 cattle headage scheme on 31 May 2000. Following a cross-check of the tag numbers applied on against a database of animals slaughtered it was established that animal bearing tag number PFJC0010R was listed as having been slaughtered on 17 May 2000. Further investigations will, therefore, have to be carried out before the applications can be finalised. Unfortunately, because of the present restrictions on farm visits it has not been possible for my Department to complete these investigations. My Department will endeavour to complete all outstanding inquiries as soon as possible and the result will be communicated to the person named.
127 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he proposes to pay immediately participants in the REP scheme selected for on-farm compliance or the 5% sample inspections. [10804/01]
Under the provisions of the protocol on direct payments to farmers, applications for annual payment are to be processed to the stage of scheduling for payment within ten weeks. Payment is then to issue within a month. Annual payments are not linked to on-farm compliance inspections or 5% plan check and compliance inspections, which may take place at any time.
128 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the position with regard to applicants awaiting final payment under the control of farmyard pollution scheme who have works completed; if 75% of approved grants could be paid immediately with the balance being paid after final inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10805/01]
The question of carrying out farm visits has been considered along with the other foot and mouth disease restrictions by an expert group. The advice of this group to date remains that visits to farms continue to be a high risk activity and that, for the present, only visits deemed to be absolutely necessary should take place. On this basis, it is not proposed to carry out any farm visits to inspect completed works. However, the position, including the making of partial payments, is being kept under continuous review.
129 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if applicants wishing to proceed with work under the farm waste management scheme can have provisional approvals issued subject to the necessary consents and permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10806/01]
On the basis of advice received from the expert group chaired by Professor Michael Monaghan, it is not possible to carry out farm visits to process applications under the farm waste management scheme. It is also considered inappropriate to approve works to proceed on farms which would involve the entry of contractors, builders, etc., on to farms. However, the position is being kept under continuous review.
