asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the fatality of large numbers of sheep and cattle in Connemara; if he will enlist the immediate assistance of the Army to bring fodder to the area; and if he will extend the feed voucher scheme to all farmers in Connemara.
Written Answers. - Livestock Farmers' Difficulties.
57.
Because of the difficulties of livestock farmers due to weather conditions, arrangements have already been made for the transport by Army vehicles of hay from the south and south-east to the north and west including the Connemara area. In addition, since mid-December advance payments of 30 per cent of the ewe premium amounting to £4.90 per ewe and totalling £7.2 million have been made to 23,600 sheep owners in the disadvantaged areas. On 24 and 25 April headage payment advances of £15 per suckler cow and totalling £4 million were made to 44,500 beef cow farmers in these areas. The feed voucher scheme, which is now closed, applied to all parts of the country including Connemara.