Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

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

The person named applied for special beef premium on ten animals in June 1993. An advance payment of 60 per cent in accordance with EU regulations has already been made on foot of this application. Payment of the balance cannot be made until all applications received from him in the course of 1993 have been processed. This is necessary to ensure compliance with EU regulations covering in particular the ceiling on eligible animals and stocking density. My Department has no record of having received previous representations on behalf of this herdowner.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

122 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a person (details supplied) in County Meath will receive his reactor grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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

The reactor grant due to the person named in respect of two animals has been paid. A further reactor grant in respect of the remaining animals will be paid as soon as possible.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

123 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied for a special beef premium on 21 animals under the November 1992, scheme was paid for only 18 animals; if the balance due to him will now be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

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

The person named applied for special beef premium on 21 animals in December 1992. At a computer validation check it was found that special beef premium had already been paid on three of the animals listed on his application form. As a result the special beef premium could be paid on the remaining 18 animals only.

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

124 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet been awarded a suckler cow quota; when a decision on his application will be made; and when he will receive payment of his 1992 suckler cow premium.

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

The person named applied for suckler cow premium for the first time in 1992 on 66 cows. None of the animals he applied for were presented at inspection but 35 other beef type animals and 31 replacement in-calf heifers were presented. He has submitted documents relating to the disposal of his original 66 animals and these documents are being examined at present.

The result of that examination will determine his entitlement to the 1992 suckler cow premium and to a suckler cow quota. It is expected that the examination will be completed shortly.

Mary Coughlan

Ceist:

125 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total amount of payment in 1993 under headage, premium and area aid to farmers in County Donegal.

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

The total amount of money paid to farmers in County Donegal during the calendar year 1993 under headage, premium and area aid schemes was £25.065 million.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

126 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when cattle headage will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry.

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

The person named was paid an advance of his 1993 cattle headage grant on 20 December 1993. His application is being further processed at present and any balance due will be paid in the near future.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

127 Mrs. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when 1993 ewe premium will be paid to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry.

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

The person involved was not paid the advance of the first and second instalments of the 1993 ewe premium as he had no quota. He was recently allocated a quota of 80 rights from the national reserve. He will receive payment of his full 1993 ewe premium entitlement when payments of the third and final instalment commence in March-April.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

128 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a headage grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that all information has been sent to his Department.

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

The person named was paid an advance of his 1993 cattle headage grant on 27 November 1993. His application is being further processed at present and any balance due will be paid in the near future.

A 60 per cent advance payment under the 1993 suckler cow premium scheme as provided in the EU regulations will be paid shortly.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

129 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if beef premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for 1992; if so, when; and the amount due.

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

The person named applied for premium on 25 eligible animals under the December 1992 special beef premium scheme. At an inspection of these animals on 25 February 1993 it was discovered that two of these animals were sold in contravention of the terms and conditions of the scheme as laid down by the EU. As the tolerance level allowed by the EU for missing animals under this scheme was one in 40 he was deemed ineligible and, accordingly, no premium is payable to him.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

130 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when slaughter premium payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford.

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

Deseasonalisation slaughter premium can only be paid on animals which have qualified for a payment under the special beef premium scheme. The person named submitted an application for special beef premium in January-February 1993 which included the three animals applied on under the deseasonalisation slaughter premium scheme. This application is being processed at present and any advance due in accordance with EU regulations will be paid in the near future. This should then clear the way for payment of deseasonalisation slaughter premium.