Vol. 426 No. 7
155 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to link the rates of headage payments to increases in either the consumer price index or social welfare increases, in view of the failure to increase them in recent years.
The rates of headage payment for cattle, sheep, goats and equines were increased in 1992 by percentages ranging from 5 per cent in the case of sheep to 25 per cent in the case of cattle.
The question of further increases in payment rates will be considered in the context of the reorganisation of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government and taking account of the possibilities under the new round of Structural Funds.
