Dan Neville
Question:236 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when compensation for depopulation due to animal disease will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [15408/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person concerned has been paid his entitlements to date in respect of the animals removed under the depopulation measure and for the approved rest period post depopulation. A further extension of the rest period has been approved in this case. The appropriate depopulation grant payment will issue to the person concerned at an early date.
Paul Connaughton
Question:237 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the 20% suckler cow grant and special beef premium have not been awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15417/03]
The person named applied for premium for 94 animals under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. An advance payment of €16,676.76 issued to him on 26 November 2002 and a balancing payment of €4,393.34 issued on 4 June 2003. These represent payment in full in respect of the 94 animals applied on.
The person named applied for premium on 77 animals under the 2002 special beef premium scheme. One animal died during the compulsory two-month retention period and therefore was not eligible for payment. This animal was deleted and counted for stocking density. Advance payments at the rate of 80% of premium, have issued in respect of the 76 eligible animals. It is expected to finalise the regional quota overshoot under the special beef premium scheme for 2002 shortly. Balancing payments will be made from mid-June for applicants in excess of 50 animals.
The person named has been paid in full in respect of 44 animals under the slaughter pre mium scheme in 2002. Eight of these animals were heifers under 30 months of age and therefore are eligible for the national envelope top-up. Some 80% advance payment has issued in respect of the national envelope top-up on these eight heifers and the 20% balancing payment will issue shortly.
Paul Connaughton
Question:238 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the 2002 extensification payments will be made; if farmers in counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and west Cork will receive their payments at the same time as farmers in other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15464/03]
In keeping with the terms of the protocol on direct payments to farmers, 2002 extensification premium payments commenced on 3 June 2003, which is one week earlier than last year's payment commencement date. The vast majority of farmers in all counties have now been paid their extensification premiums. Outstanding cases will be dealt with when queries on them are resolved. These cases, however, are likely to take longer to clear in counties Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and in west Cork due to an industrial dispute involving staff of my Department.
Paul Connaughton
Question:239 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the 20% of the suckler cow grant and the special beef premium will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15465/03]
An application for premium for seven animals in respect of the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme was received on 11 June 2002. Payment of the 80% advance instalment of €1,255.24 issued on 16 October 2002 and the balancing payment for €313.81 issued on 4 June 2003.
The person named applied for premium on six animals under the 2002 special beef premium scheme. Advance payments, at the rate of 80% of premium, issued during October 2002. The remaining 20% issued on 4 June 2003.
Paul Connaughton
Question:240 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the penalties proposed to be applied to an application for special beef premium on 72 animals following an inspection carried out on 3 October 2002 for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reasons for the penalties; and the level of penalty which will apply. [15466/03]
The person named submitted one application under the 2002 special beef premium scheme in respect of 88 animals on 6 June 2002. Of the 88 animals applied on, 25 were not eligible for premium as they had already received pre mium in the same age category. The person named also has five animals eligible to him under the slaughter premium scheme.
The person named was selected for inspection and was inspected on 3 October 2002. It is not possible to process this application any further at this stage until all of the outstanding checks arising from the findings of the inspection are completed. However, this process is delayed by the ongoing industrial dispute involving certain staff of my Department in County Galway.