Michael Ring
Question:158 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive area based payments for 2001. [7585/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named was paid €3,428.40, £2,700.08, under the 2001 area-based compensatory allowance scheme on 24 September 2001 in respect of 60 hectares of mountain-type land at €57.14, £45 per hectare. This compares with his average headage payment of €1,200.66, £945.60 under the old animal-based headage schemes in the three years 1998 to 2000 inclusive.
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 proposals involve making a payment of €101.58 per hectare on the first ten hectares of mountain-type land with a payment of €88.88 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 apply to the 2001 scheme.
The 2001 suckler cow application for the person named has been processed for payment for six cows and one heifer. His 100% entitlement will issue within the next week.
Michael Ring
Question:159 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if further information has been received by the area aid unit from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to progress area based payments for 2001. [7597/02]
As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 20 February 2002, the person named submitted an area aid application which included land that was also claimed by another herdowner. Further clarification was required from the person named with whom the area aid unit had been in communication.
The person named has now responded stating that he did not have a right to claim the disputed parcel of land but he did not indicate the precise location of the remainder of his land. Maps have been issued to him with a view to clarifying the situation and a response is awaited. No payments can issue until all this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.