Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Willie Penrose

Question:

136 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who applied for grants under the scheme of investment and for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards on 26 October 2001 was requested to resubmit same; the regulation on which this request was based, which is clearly at variance with the plan and ordinary meaning of the words on the form DHS4; the reason a decision thereon was not made for almost three months from that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10586/02]

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

Under the scheme of investment aid for the improvement of dairy hygiene standards, income units are assessed on the basis of the system of farming engaged in at the time of the application. All requests for information are made under the terms and conditions of that scheme.

In the case of a farmer applying for aid under DHS in October 2001 the income units should be based on the system of farming being followed in the 12 month period commencing in the spring of 2001. This gives a proper picture of the type of farming activity in which the applicant is engaged at the time of application.

In the case of the named person, form DHS4 did not include all the animals being carried in the system during the year. Neither did it declare an off-farm income in the tax year prior to application. The applicant claimed a grant at a rate higher than that to which he was entitled. The application was dealt with within the agreed limits set out in the protocol on direct payments to farmers. Accordingly, the application for grant aid was rejected and returned to the applicant.