Michael Noonan
Question:40 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a REP scheme payment, which is outstanding for some time, will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [16271/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Industrial action by clerical staff is affecting processing of REPS applications in the Limerick office. It is not possible at present to say when the payment application from the person named will be processed.
Jack Wall
Question:41 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application for a REP scheme payment by a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16272/03]
The farmer named has, at my Department's request, recently submitted additional documentation in connection with his application for payment. In addition the exact boundaries of the commonage on which he is making his claim for payment are being clarified. Both matters are being actively examined in my Department and when this examination is complete my officials will contact him directly.
John McGuinness
Question:42 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all subsidies due to persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be awarded immediately; if all outstanding issues have been dealt with; the amount due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16330/03]
The persons named submitted an application under the 2002 special beef premium scheme in respect of eight animals. An 80% advance payment of €1,200 has issued to the persons named. Eighteen animals were found to be eligible under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme. Eight of these animals were heifers under 30 months at the time of slaughter and therefore are eligible for the national envelope top-up. An 80% advance has issued for both the slaughter premium and national envelope top-up. An application under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme for 21 animals was received on 26 June 2002. Payment of the 80% advance entitlement, amounting to €3765.62, issued on 23 December 2002 and the application has been processed for the 20% balancing payment.
Under new control arrangements introduced by the EU with effect from 1 January 2002, all bovine premia scheme applications must be processed at producer level rather than individual scheme application level. In this connection, the eligibility for slaughter premium of four additional animals slaughtered by the persons named could not be established in relation to the movement/registration details on the Department's cattle movement monitoring system. The persons named have been informed that these animals will now be excluded for slaughter premium payment purposes. The persons named have also been informed of the right to have this decision appealed. The 20% balancing payments in respect of the eligible animals under special beef premium scheme, suckler cow scheme and the slaughter premium scheme will issue over the next few days.