Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Enda Kenny

Question:

239 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of headage applications applied for and paid out under all categories in County Mayo for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25289/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The number of applications received and the number paid under each of the headage schemes in County Mayo for each of the past three years are shown in the following table.

It should be noted that not all applicants ultimately get paid as some applicants may not be eligible for one reason or another. Non-payment is often due to problems with a farmer's area aid application or failure on his/her part to submit such an application. Furthermore failure to respond to queries from his/her local office in respect of the relevant scheme application or not having the minimum three hectares of land will also result in non-payment of headage grants.

In 2001 the headage schemes have been replaced by an area based compensatory allowance scheme. Under this scheme over 10,600 farmers in County Mayo have received payments totalling £16.248 million to date in 2001. This compares with a figure of £10.142 million paid under the 2000 headage schemes at this time last year.

Number of applications received and paid in County Mayo under 1998, 1999 and 2000 headage schemes

Years	Cattle Headage/Beef Cow	EquineHeadage	SheepHeadage	GoatHeadage
1998Number of Applications Received	11,662	435	4,452	40
1998Number of Applications Paid	11,447	408	4,252	34
1999Number of Applications Received	11,219	410	4,230	33
1999Number of Applications Paid	11,057	383	4,058	26
2000Number of Applications Received	10,755	390	4,027	24
2000Number of Applications Paid	10,586	373	3,878	12