I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
Current EU regulations governing the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes already allow payment of 60 per cent advances before all applications for the year in question are processed. This system in effect provides for payment of these premiums on a provisional basis as suggested by the Deputy. Payment of the balances is governed by EU regulations relating to the ceiling on eligible animals and stocking density and must await processing of all claims submitted by an individual applicant in the course of a year. Disadvantaged areas' headage schemes, other than for sheep, are normally on the basis of advances.
The Government is committed, in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, to move progressively to a position during the period of the programme where all valid disadvantaged areas' headage claims will be paid by October of the year of application. As a first step in this direction additional funding has been provided in my Department's Vote for 1994. The Government is also committed to the payment of all eligible premium claims within three months of application in 1995 where this is allowed under EU regulations and to seeking changes in these regulations with a view to permitting premium payments to be made earlier in the year.