asked the Minister for Agriculture if applicants for assistance under the Shannon Valley flood damage scheme who were declared ineligible for the feed voucher scheme may now be considered for the latter without having to reapply.
175.
Written Answers. - Shannon Valley Flood Scheme.
172.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when applicants for assistance under the Shannon Valley flood scheme who are now being reconsidered for the feed voucher scheme will receive payment of grants under the latter scheme.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together. Farmers who have been paid less than the maximum subsidy of £500 under the Shannon Valley flood scheme in respect of animal feed deficiency are being automatically considered for vouchers under the feed voucher scheme 1985 subject to their total benefit not exceeding the £500 maximum. They do not have to make a fresh application. It is expected that processing will be completed and vouchers issued by mid-February.
173.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of applicants in County Roscommon under the Shannon Valley flood damage scheme who were also applicants under (a) the silage subsidy scheme and (b) the feed voucher scheme and who were declared ineligible for each of (a) and (b).
As applicants under the silage subsidy scheme were not required to indicate on their applications if they were also applicants under the Shannon Valley flood scheme it is not possible to state how many applicants under the latter scheme either applied or were rejected under the silage subsidy scheme. Participation in one scheme did not debar an applicant from participation in the other. Applicants who received aid under the Shannon Valley flood scheme are now being reconsidered for aid under the feed voucher scheme subject to the total aid under the two schemes combined not exceeding £500 in any case. It is not possible at this stage to indicate how many Shannon Valley scheme applicants will be declared ineligible under the feed voucher scheme.
174.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the total amount of grant assistance paid to applicants from County Roscommon under the 1985 Shannon Valley flood damage scheme; and the lowest and highest grants.
A total of £204,498 has been paid under the Shannon Valley flood scheme 1985 to applicants in County Roscommon. The highest amount paid was £500 (which was the maximum payable under the scheme) and the lowest payment was £12.