Vol. 436 No. 7
32 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the criteria laid down to avail of headage grants; the total number, type and value of headage grant applications received by his Department; the total number and value of grants approved for each of the years from 1987 to 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the headage grants payable in the disadvantaged areas.
To be eligible for these grants every applicant must: (i) be a registered herd-owner or flockowner; (ii) be aged 18 years or over; (iii) occupy and farm at least 3 hectares (7.5 acres) in a disadvantaged area and (iv) undertake to continue in farming for at least 5 years from the date of first payment under the schemes. Other criteria are set out in the terms and conditions of each individual scheme, i.e. cattle, sheep, goats and equines, copies of which are sent to every applicant.
The total number, type and value of headage grant applicants since the inception of these schemes is not readily available.
The number of applications approved and the amounts paid in the period 1987 to 1992 are as follows:
|
Year |
Number approved |
Amount paid |
|
£m |
||
|
1987 |
96,955 |
56.4 |
|
1988 |
98,724 |
57.6 |
|
1989 |
102,520 |
63.3 |
|
1990 |
117,401 |
72.5 |
|
1991 |
134,036 |
88.7 |
|
1992 |
134,906 |
111.2 |
