Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2005

Tuesday, 29 November 2005

Questions (333, 334)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

322 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a force majeure application under the single payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not successful; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the person had to get rid of a substantial number of cattle in 2000 due to illness; if calculating the reference years as 1997, 1998 and 1999 will be more advantageous in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36477/05]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The person named submitted an application for consideration of force majeure or exceptional circumstances in respect of his entitlements under the single farm payment scheme. As the medical evidence furnished in support of the application related to a broken ankle sustained in 1996 the application was deemed unsuccessful. An appeal was then submitted to the single payment appeals committee citing a number of medical conditions during 2000 to 2002. However the medical evidence furnished with the appeal was non-specific and as the stock numbers on the holding remained constant during 2000, 2001 and 2002 the independent single payment appeal committee recommendation was that the appeal should be disallowed.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

323 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the full single payment entitlement on 4.53 hectares has not been credited to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36478/05]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

The applicant was informed on 16 November 2005 that the transfer of entitlements was by way of inheritance and a copy of the appropriate application form was forwarded to her for completion and return to my Department. On receipt of the completed application form and supporting documentation, my Department will process it without delay.