asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will arrange for an inspection in the case of all persons who made late applications for headage grants and of applicants whose applications have been mislaid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Headage Grants.
28.
I would refer the Deputy to the answer which I gave to a similar question from Deputy Gilhawley on Wednesday, 26th November, 1975.
Is the Minister aware that several of those applications have gone astray, probably in the post or even mislaid in his Department? Several applicants in my area posted their application forms in time. At this stage would the Minister consider allowing these applicants in under the scheme and arrange to have an inspection carried out?
I have never yet known a scheme where a closing date was fixed that there were no late applicants. The date was extended by six weeks and late applications were still made several months later, regardless of the fact that a great deal of publicity was given to the closing date. Where there is evidence that the delay was caused by the post, of course they will be admitted. In fact, we allowed an unofficial grace from the 26th August to the 12th September and anybody who came in between those dates—and there was a substantial number—were admitted. As I said, if we have evidence that these applications were lost in the post they will be admitted, but we have not got such evidence in any of these cases.
29.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the amount paid out under the EEC headage scheme grant in the disadvantaged areas to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
To date a total of £4.35 million has been paid to farmers under the EEC scheme for livestock headage payments in severely handicapped areas. Payment of grants will be completed as rapidly as possible.
I should like to know the maximum amount of headage grants permitted by the directive?
I am afraid I have not got the answer.
Are we operating the maximum payments?
No.
Is the Minister aware that the United Kingdom are operating the maximum?
I am aware that the United Kingdom are not operating the maximum.
£27 a head.
Nothing like it. They are operating a limited scheme in a limited area. What they are doing is getting FEOGA to pay for schemes which were in existence before the disadvantaged area scheme came in.
Is the Minister saying that the United Kingdom are not paying the maximum permitted under the EEC directive?
Yes. They are paying in a limited area and for a limited scheme.
I asked if the United Kingdom were operating the maximum headage grants?
The Deputy is repeating himself. We are entering into the realm of argument.
In certain respects, yes.
It is not true that the contribution made by this country, in the form of a national contribution to the disadvantaged areas scheme, is by far the lowest in the Community?
It is approximately £6 million more than the last Government provided under any scheme.
Do they come under the beef incentive schemes in those areas?
Yes, but, over and above, it is £6 million more than the two put together.
Is the Minister aware that the disadvantaged farmers in the glens of Antrim will receive almost three times as much as their counterparts in Donegal?
I am not so aware.
30.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of farmers in County Monaghan disqualified from participation in headage payments due to late application.
31.
Mr. Kitt
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of late applications under the cattle headage payments scheme received from County Galway.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
The numbers of applications ineligible because they were late were two in County Monaghan and 30 in County Galway.
As there is such a small number involved and, irrespective of what the Minister said about the closing date being well advertised, many people who had land and stock in the area but did not reside there were confused.
The Deputy is talking about two applications, but if I may make an exception for two, I must make it for everybody. I cannot do that because every scheme must have a closing date.
Mr. Kitt
Considering the small part of County Galway included for payments under the cattle headage payments scheme, would the Minister consider 30 a high figure?
No.
Mr. Kitt
Does this not further emphasise the fact that the advertisement did not receive sufficient publicity in the papers?
Many people were advised that if they took the benefits under this scheme they would be deprived of social welfare and other benefits and delays were very often for reasons other than that they were not aware of the closing date.
Mr. Kitt
Would the Minister consider each application on its merits?
It is just impossible. I gave my experience in these areas. There must be a closing date and it must be observed.
Mr. Kitt
The Minister has given an unofficial grace, as he called it. Could he not advertise the fact that he would accept applications from 12th September?
No, because then I would be starting a new date and there would still be applications in the post.
32.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of farmers in County Clare who have been excluded from participation in the cattle headage scheme because of late application.
33.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the total number of applications received for the cattle headage scheme from farmers in County Clare; and when it is expected to have payments made under the scheme.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
The total number of applications received from County Clare was 5,786. Of these 148 were ineligible, 41 because they were late. Payments commenced last month and will be completed as rapidly as possible.