Edward Nealon
Ceist:54 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount paid out in 1990 in headage grants to farmers in the disadvantaged areas from (1) the Exchequer and (2) by way of EC assistance.
Written Answers. - Grants Payments.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:55 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extra money provided this year from (1) the Exchequer and (2) to be provided from the EC for increases in headage payments to farmers in disadvantaged areas.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:56 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of extra farmers who will qualify for headage payments this year under the extension of the disadvantaged areas; and the total cost involved in headage payments to these farmers at 1990 rates.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:57 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline the proposed increase in the headage payments payable to farmers this year.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 54, 55, 56 and 57 together.
The total amount paid out from the Exchequer in 1990 on headage grants to farmers in the disadvantaged areas was £76.3 million. Of this, £49.1 million is now being sought by way of recoupment from the EC.
The extra money provided for increases in headage payments to farmers in the disadvantaged areas this year is £9 million from the Exchequer, 65 per cent of which will be recouped from the EC next year.
The number of extra farmers who will qualify for 1991 headage payments under the extension of the disadvantaged areas is estimated at 13,000 at a full year cost of about £7 million.
The proposed increases in 1991 headage payments have not yet been decided. I will make an announcement when a decision has been made.