asked the Minister for Agriculture the reasons for the refusal by him and the Government to give the appropriate financial aid this year to farmers living in parts of County Limerick recently included by the European Commission in the disadvantaged areas scheme; and when the less well-off farming community living in these newly designated areas will be given the aid to which they are justly entitled.
Written Answers. - County Limerick Disadvantaged Areas.
Application forms had been issued for the 1985 sheep headage, cattle headage and beef cow schemes in the disadvantaged areas, sheep inspections had been completed and cattle inspections had commenced by the time that the extended list of disadvantaged areas in County Limerick had been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 19 July 1985. Furthermore, no funds were available in the Vote for Agriculture for 1985 to meet the expenditure that would be involved. Applicants in the areas concerned will of course have the opportunity, to join the schemes in 1986.
126.
asked the Minister for Agriculture (a) the number of farmers in County Limerick who have been eligible for financial aid under the EC disadvantaged areas scheme for each year since the scheme was introduced; if he will identify the electoral divisions involved for each year and the different headings under which aid was granted; the amounts of money paid out each year; and if he will state on a yearly basis the value in cash terms of (a) the Irish contribution to the scheme and (b) the EC contribution.
The cattle headage scheme in disadvantaged areas was introduced in County Limerick in 1976 in the following district electoral divisions: Rooskagh, Glensharrold, Kilmoylan, Glenagower, Rathronan, Dromtrasna, Mountcollins, Caher, Abbeyfeale, Port and Kilfergus. The sheep headage scheme in disadvantaged areas was introduced in 1975 in the district electoral divisions mentioned above and also in the district electoral divisions of Riversdale, Kilbeheny, Knocknascrow and Anglesborough. In 1981 the district electoral divisons of Bilboa, Doon West, Glenstal, Templeglentan, Mohernagh and Dunmoylan West were included in the disadvantaged areas for cattle and sheep headage payment purposes. The following tables show the number of herdowners paid, the amounts paid and the Irish and EC contribution to each scheme.
Cattle Headage Schemes.
Scheme Year |
Number of Applicants Paid |
Amount Paid |
Irish Contribution to the Scheme |
EC Contribution to the Scheme |
£ |
£ |
£ |
||
1976 |
915 |
148,485 |
96,515 |
51,970 |
1977 |
882 |
167,364 |
108,798 |
58,566 |
1978 |
893 |
178,322 |
115,909 |
62,413 |
1979 |
837 |
174,595 |
113,487 |
61,108 |
1980 |
818 |
343,317 |
171,879 |
171,438 |
1981 |
1,118 |
502,466 |
251,465 |
251,001 |
1982 |
1,098 |
506,292 |
253,272 |
253,020 |
1983 |
1,045 |
487,682 |
243,841 |
243,841 |
1984 |
1,060 |
499,594 |
249,797 |
249,797 |
Sheep Headage Schemes
Scheme Year |
Number of Applicants Paid |
Amount Paid |
Irish Contribution to the Scheme |
EC Contribution to the Scheme |
£ |
£ |
£ |
||
1975 |
14 |
3,021 |
2,266 |
755 |
1976 |
23 |
4,777 |
3,105 |
1,672 |
1977 |
28 |
7,164 |
4,657 |
2,507 |
1978 |
24 |
6,625 |
4,306 |
2,319 |
1979 |
21 |
5,372 |
3,492 |
1,880 |
1980 |
19 |
8,222 |
4,111 |
4,111 |
1981 |
23 |
22,418 |
11,209 |
11,209 |
1982 |
23 |
24,528 |
12,264 |
12,264 |
1983 |
23 |
22,875 |
11,438 |
11,437 |
1984 |
21 |
23,773 |
11,886 |
11,887 |