Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Ceist:132 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when headage payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
This applicant has already received payment under the 1989 sheep headage scheme, and advances under the 1989 ewe premium and the 1989 cattle and equine headage scheme. Payments of the balance under the last named scheme and the full amounts due under the 1989 calf and special beef premium schemes are being processed and will issue shortly. Payment of the balance of 1989 ewe premium cannot be made until around mid-1990 after inspections under that scheme have been completed.
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Ceist:133 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farm modernisation grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare.
I expect this grant to be paid within the next few weeks.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:134 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in paying reactor grants to farmers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some farmers in disadvantaged areas are waiting almost six months for same; and if he will take immediate steps to pay all reactor grants within one month of receiving the application for same.
I am aware that herd owners are experiencing delays in the payment of reactor grants. These delays are due to a combination of factors such as staff shortages and the disruption of work occasioned by the transfer of the Department's accounts branch to Cavan. The backlog is now receiving attention and I hope that payment of all grants under the disease eradication schemes will be back to normal in the near future.