Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
175 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will review the levels of compensation paid for bovine animals slaughtered due to tuberculosis or brucellosis infection; if compensation will be set in line with market values; the reason such a procedure is not in place at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19678/04]
View answerSince April 2002, compensation for all reactors disclosed under the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes is determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the on-farm market valuation scheme. All valuations are carried out by a cadre of independent valuers who value animals in accordance with the agreed market to take account of available data on market prices. This updated document is sent by my Department each week to each valuer to assist them in their valuation work. In general, I believe that the valuation system is working well and there are no plans at present to make any changes to the basis on which it operates.
176 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the funds granted to farmers under the tuberculosis and brucellosis hardship scheme in each of the past five years and to date in 2004; the cost of administering the scheme in each of the said periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19679/04]
View answerExpenditure on the hardship grant scheme for the periods requested is detailed in the following table. This scheme is administered by staff in each local district veterinary office as part of a wide range of duties carried out on all elements of the eradication schemes and the cost of administering this specific aspect of DVO operations is not available.
|
Year |
€m |
|
1999 |
1.147 |
|
2000 |
1.046 |
|
2001 |
1.100 |
|
2002 |
1.025 |
|
2003 |
0.934 |
|
2004 (to 25/6/04) |
0.718 |
177 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to review the tuberculosis and brucellosis hardship scheme; if he will consider the extension of the scheme beyond 1 May 2004 and to part-time farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19680/04]
View answer178 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will take steps to ensure that the tuberculosis and brucellosis hardship scheme commences following the restriction of the period and that the level of payment is increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19681/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
The hardship grant scheme was first introduced in November 1996 to assist farmers whose holdings are restricted and where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction. The eligibility period is between 1 November and 30 April each year. An essential prerequisite for eligibility is that the holding continues to be restricted following a full herd re-test following the disclosure of reactors. A maximum of €250 per month per herd may be paid for a period not exceeding four months during the eligibility period.
There are no plans at present to alter the eligibility conditions or rates currently applying.
179 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will review the procedures for the payment of income supplement for restricted herds; his views on whether it is acceptable that it takes more than three months to receive the first payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19682/04]
View answerThere are specific eligibility conditions attaching to the payment of income supplement under the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes. In particular, income supplement is payable when more than 10% of the herd is removed as reactors and where depopulation of the herd is not the chosen veterinary option. Income supplement is paid in arrears in respect of each full month of eligibility.
Income supplement payments are processed promptly in the district veterinary office and are paid in accordance with the targets laid down in the Department's customer service action plan.
180 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the payment granted to applicants for income supplement for restricted herds to date in 2004 and in each of the past five years; the administration costs in each period concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19683/04]
View answerExpenditure on the income supplement scheme for the periods requested is detailed in the table below. This scheme is administered by staff in each local district veterinary office as part of a wide range of duties carried out on all elements of the eradication schemes and the cost of administering this specific aspect of DVO operations is not available.
|
Year |
€m |
|
1999 |
4,438 |
|
2000 |
3,967 |
|
2001 |
2,920 |
|
2002 |
2,792 |
|
2003 |
2,759 |
|
2004 (to 25/06/04) |
1,197 |
