Vol. 546 No. 5
107 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of grants issued under the national scheme for farmyard pollution control to persons in County Sligo for each of the past five years; the amount issued for each year; and if he will make a statement of the success of the scheme to date. [32211/01]
There are two schemes involved, i.e., the control of farm pollution scheme, which was a sub-measure of the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 1994-99, and the national scheme for the control of farm pollution, which was introduced in June 1999. The following is the information on the number and value of grants paid to farmers in County Sligo under both these schemes from 1997 to date:
Control of Farm Pollution Scheme 1994-1999
|
Year |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 to date |
|
Number paid |
276 |
64 |
55 |
25 |
1 |
|
Grant aid |
£2.438m |
£0.546m |
£0.476m |
£0.237m |
£0.008m |
|
Year |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 to date |
108 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received an area based payment; and if the payment will be expedited. [32251/01]
The 2001 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed and payment due under the 2001 area based compensatory allowance scheme will issue later this week.
109 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an area based payment was not received by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [32252/01]
A herd owner must submit a valid area aid application for the relevant year in order to be considered for payment under the disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme. As no area aid application was received from the person named for 2001, no disadvantaged areas compensatory allowance scheme payment can be made for 2001.
110 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a grant under the suckler cow scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32254/01]
The person named applied for premium for 54 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme on 15 January 2001. In processing the application for payment it was found that the applicant disposed of two animals, tag numbers HAB30836 and HYA603153, and replaced them with two other animals. Further checks showed that these animals were disposed of on 13 August 2001 and, because this was outside his retention period, it was not necessary for him to provide replacement details. The application is now being processed without details of the replacement animals and, if found in order, payment will issue within the next week.
111 Mr. Moloney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a REPS payment was not made to a person (details supplied). [32255/01]
My Department is of the view that the REPS application from the person named and the separate REPS application from his wife cannot be justified. The person named has been informed of this finding and advised that only a joint application would be acceptable. He has chosen not to avail of this course of action and has asked the ombudsman to examine his case. The outcome of the ombudsman's examination is awaited.
112 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if an oral hearing will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of the decision made on 14 October 1999 in relation to his 1998 area aid application; if the decision can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32329/01]
The appeal lodged by the herd owner concerning his 1998 area aid application was fully examined by the headage and premia appeals unit. However, if the herd owner wishes to have an oral hearing it will be made available to him.
113 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will rescind the decision made regarding a suckler cow payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32330/01]
The person named applied for premium for 14 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. Following an examination of his application, it was noted that animal tag number EKA255262 was not in his ownership and possession at the time of application. The district livestock office of my Department wrote to the applicant on 4 October 2001 regarding this matter. As no further correspondence was received from the person named, a letter was issued to him again on 12 November 2001 informing him that, because he failed to comply with clause 20(iii) of the terms and conditions of the scheme, no suckler cow grants would be payable for scheme 2001 and 2002. He was allowed 21 days to reply if he wished to have this decision reviewed. The letter now submitted will be considered and the person named will be informed of the outcome in due course.
114 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the subsidies for goat production have been severely reduced; if he will introduce support schemes in line with those in other European Union countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32331/01]
I understand the Deputy is referring to grants for housing and handling facilities for goats. Grant aid for this type of investment is available under the current alternative enterprise scheme. The level of grant aid available is set at 40% for applicants with not more than 150 income units and 20% in respect of applicants with not more than 200 income units. The maximum level of investment eligible for aid is 6,349 or £5,000. This level of aid is similar to that available under previous schemes and there has been no reduction in the maximum level of eligible investment. I am, however, considering the possibility of increasing the eligible investment level at present and, if this seems justified, the matter will be pursued further with the EU Commission.
Farmers in disadvantaged areas with goats may qualify for payments under the area based scheme.
115 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the proposals he has to increase the payment per hectare on mountain-type land under the new area based compensatory allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32332/01]
Following a thorough review of the area based compensatory allowance scheme, proposals have been submitted to the European Commission for increased payment rates for farmers with mountain-type land. The proposal involves making a payment of £80 per hectare on the first ten hectares of mountain-type land, with a payment of £70 per hectare on each remaining hectare, subject to an overall payment ceiling of 45 hectares. Subject to securing the necessary EU approval, it is intended that the revised payment rates will take effect in the current year.
This issue is still under consideration by the Commission services and it is hoped that a decision will be made next January.
