John Bruton
Ceist:189 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason farmers are required to produce revenue and social insurance numbers in order to qualify for headage payments.
Written Answers. - Headage Payments Eligibility.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:208 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if new regulations are being implemented in 1992 requiring a farmer in receipt of headage payments to submit a tax number before any payments are sanctioned.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 189 and 208 together.
In 1988, the Government introduced the tax clearance system in respect of grants, subsidies and similar type payments from State and public authorities. The basic aim of this system is to ensure that individuals who do not meet their outstanding tax liabilities do not benefit from public grants.
As from 1 September 1991 the tax clearance system was extended to include grant schemes involving EC funds other than payments under the Guarantee Section of FEOGA. Thus, with this one exception, all public grant schemes are now subject to the tax clearance procedures.
The procedures only apply where grants over £500 are involved.
In the case of grants between £5,000 or more, the applicant is required to furnish a current tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners.
In the case of grants between £500 and £5,000, the applicant must: (i) indicate the tax district dealing with his/her tax affairs; (ii) furnish his/her tax reference number; and (iii) indicate that, to the best of his/her knowledge, his/her tax affairs are in order.
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:190 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an agricultural grant was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow.
The person named failed to submit the cattle identity cards for 12 cattle on which he had applied for EC special beef premium to the local office of the Department of Agriculture and Food for checking, stamping and punching before he sold the animals. Under EC regulations governing the scheme it is regretted that no premium can be paid to him for 1991 either on the animals sold or those remaining in his herd.
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:191 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in awarding a suckler cow grant to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly.
This applicant's 1991 special beef premium and suckler cow premium schemes grants are being processed and, if in order, payment will issue shortly. There is no particular delay in processing the applications.
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:192 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a beef premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Laois.
This applicant applied under the 1991 special beef premium scheme for a grant in respect of an animal which had already received premium under the 1990 special beef premium scheme. Under EC Regulations my Department have no choice but to rule him out of the 1991 special beef premium scheme and to debar him from the scheme for 12 months from 12 December 1991.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:193 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when an installation premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.
It is hoped to have this application determined shortly. If the applicant is found to be eligible payment will be made as soon as possible.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:194 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cattle headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This applicant has already been paid her grants under the 1991 cattle and equines headage and suckler cow premium schemes. Her application under the 1991 special beef premium scheme is being processed at present and payment will issue shortly.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:195 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cattle headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Payments due to this applicant under the 1991 cattle and equines headage and suckler cow premium schemes are being processed at present and will be made shortly. He has been requested to submit cattle identity cards in respect of two animals applied for under the 1991 special beef premium scheme and when he does so the question of payment of grants to him under that scheme will be considered further.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:196 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cattle headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This applicant has already been paid his grants under the 1991 cattle and equines headage and suckler cow premium schemes. His application under the 1991 special beef premium scheme is being processed at present and if found in order, payment will be made in due course.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:197 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when cattle headage payment and suckler cow grant payments will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This applicant has already been paid his grants under the 1991 cattle and equines headage and suckler cow premium schemes.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:198 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cattle headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This applicant has already been paid her grants under the 1991 cattle and equines headage scheme. Her application under the 1991 special beef premium scheme is being processed at present and payment will issue shortly.
Enda Kenny
Ceist:199 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a cattle headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
This applicant has already been paid his grants under the 1991 cattle and equines headage and suckler cow premium schemes. His application under the 1991 special beef premium scheme is being processed at present and payment will issue shortly.