Vol. 539 No. 1
65 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason for the delay in the payment of the first instalment of the ewe premium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/01]
Given the unacceptable situation highlighted in the detailed assessment of ewe premium applications in the Cooley area of County Louth, my Department has had to put in place additional controls under the 2001 ewe premium scheme. These include documentary and other checks which may be conducted on-the-spot or by administrative means. In conducting these control checks, I have asked my officials to pay particular attention to sheep slaughter data in meat plants and to details of movements under the permit arrangements introduced on 3 March last. This exercise is still ongoing. I expect, however, that payment of the first instalment of 2001 ewe premium can commence towards the middle of July. Payment will not be made in those cases which are under query until such time as all outstanding queries have been resolved.
