Vol. 557 No. 2
161 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon has been refused funding under the CFP programme for the construction of slurry tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21778/02]
It is a strict condition of the scheme of investment aid for farm waste management that the prior written approval of my Department must be obtained before the commencement of development work for which grant aid is sought. The person named made an application under the scheme on 10 August 2002. However, when the Department carried out a pre-approval visit to his farm on 29 August 2002, the slurry tank had already been constructed. This work could not therefore be considered for grant aid. Approval to commence other investment works under the scheme issued on 14 October 2002 to the person named.
162 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the special beef premium will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21818/02]
The person named submitted three applications in respect of 15 animals under the 2002 special beef premium scheme in January, April and October respectively.
On 16 October 80% advance payments issued in respect of 11 out of 13 animals on the first and second applications. One of the animals on the January application, tag number 181672630059, is not recorded on the Department's cattle movement monitoring system, CMMS, as having entered the herd of the person named. A query letter has issued in this regard and payment will issue as soon as the issue is resolved satisfactorily.
One of the six animals, tag number 181672750092, on the April application was not held on the farm for the two month retention period, as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. Payment cannot be made in respect of this animal and a reduction penalty will be calculated at balancing payment stage. The person named has been informed of the procedure to appeal the decision.
The October application was in respect of two animals. Payment in respect of these animals will issue following the completion of the two month retention period, subject to compliance with scheme requirements.
163 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a ewe subsidy for 2002 has not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21819/02]
Under the 2002 ewe premium scheme the person named applied on 280 ewes. To enable his application to be processed for payment a Form EP250 was sent to him seeking details of any losses incurred during the retention period. The form was returned indicating that six ewes had died during the retention period and were sent to the knackery for disposal. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme flockowners are obliged to notify the local office in writing within ten days of discovery of any losses relating to their flock. However, the person named did not notify the local office about the losses as he thought that the knackery would notify the Department. Consequently on 27 June 2002 he was asked to submit documentary evidence to show that the six ewes had been disposed of through the knackery. This evidence would result in payment on all ewes. There is no record of him having replied to date. A reminder has now issued to the person named and as soon as the information requested is submitted his application will be processed for payment.
164 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when two plots will be digitised and registered on an area aid application for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [21821/02]
The 2002 area aid application of the person named has now been fully processed and the relevant plots have been entered on the Department's electronic database with an area determined for payment purposes of 82.42 hectares. Any payments due to him will issue shortly.
