Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
650 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 343 of 23 November 2004, when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive headage payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1352/05]
View answerSince I replied to Question No. 343 of 23 November 2004, payments have issued under both the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme and the 2004 area based compensatory allowance scheme. A 60% advance instalment in respect of three animals applied on under the suckler cow scheme amounting to €403.47 issued on 29 December 2004. Payment of full entitlement under the area based compensatory allowance scheme amounting to €927.91 issued on 29 December 2004. These payments issued to the solicitors acting on behalf of the person named. Balancing payments under the suckler cow scheme will start at the end of March.
651 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has not been awarded any entitlements under the decoupling proposals; if steps will be taken to ensure that this person is allocated appropriate entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1353/05]
View answerThe person named, having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure or exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee.
Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the independent single payment appeals committee made a recommendation and a letter issued to the person named on 19 November 2004. The appeals committee found that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.
However, following further representations and additional information received, my Department has re-examined the circumstances of this case and is satisfied that force majeure should be applied. As a result the single farm payment entitlements will be based on the earlier reference period, 1997, 1998 and 1999 and the reference period 2000 to 2002 will be excluded. An updated statement of provisional single payment entitlements, reflecting this position, will issue shortly to the person named.
