asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will confirm that the grant scheme for additional cow numbers will be paid this year in accordance with the terms of the scheme as announced by his predecessor which was for a three year period.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
814.
The 1983 herd expansion scheme will make provision for a grant to be paid on each additional first-calved heifer over and above the number of cows in each applicants' herd in 1982 and will thus be broadly in line with the terms of the scheme as announced by my predecessor.
It is intended that the scheme should also operate in 1984.
815.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when beef premium and sheep premium grants for 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person named has been paid cattle and sheep headage grants under the 1982 disadvantaged areas schemes and the first instalment of 1982-83 EEC ewe premium already. Payment of the second instalment of ewe premium cannot be made until after the end of the 1982-83 marketing year. He will be paid his EEC suckler cow premium for 1982 as soon as the batch which includes his payment is processed.
816.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when a sheep headage grant for 1982 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.
The person named will be paid his sheep headage grant under the 1982 disadvantaged areas schemes as soon as the batch which includes his payment is processed.
817.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the delay in paying grants under the 1982 calf premium scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
818.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason for the delay in paying the calf premium subsidy; and if he will give an assurance in respect of the date of payment.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 817 and 818 together.
A delay of some three weeks in making payments under the calf premium scheme has arisen because of a shortage of computer staff but payments to the 40,000 applicants will commence in a fortnight's time and continue for some weeks afterwards.