Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 9

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

202 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if his attention has been drawn to the difficult circumstances of persons (details supplied) in County Cork; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that these people have been attempting to sort out their position in relation to cattle headage and other payments due to them by his Department and that they have not been paid any such entitlements for a considerable time; and if he will have arrangements made to have a senior official of his Department contact them to clarify the outstanding issues so that the payments due to them can be made without further delay.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

My Department issued a letter to the persons named last week setting out the full position in relation to this case.

In summary, overpayments totalling £11,767.94 were made to them in the period 1979-85 under various schemes due to the non-disclosure by the applicant of an off-farm occupation. This amount has been offset against other scheme entitlements arising in the years 1986-92 leaving a balance of £6,015 due to the persons named in respect of those years. A payment in respect of this amount will issue as soon as possible.

Applications by the persons named under 1993 scheme are being processed at present.