Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:54 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if a new house grant is payable to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
There is no record of the receipt of an application for a new house grant from the person named at the address given. This grant is payable only to first-time purchasers of new houses where the conditions of the grants scheme are fulfilled. A grant was paid in 1988 to other persons in respect of the house concerned.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:55 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the immediate steps, if any, he will take to expedite the early payment of the first and second instalments of the ewe premium to alleviate the difficulties being experienced by small sheep farmers due to the severity and length of the winter season.
The ewe premium scheme is payable in accordance with EU Regulations. Normally payments are made by way of three instalments. The amount to be paid is fixed by the EU Commission. Payment of any of the instalments cannot commence until up to 7 days have elapsed from the date of publication of that decision in the Official Journal. It is expected that the Commission will fix the amount of the 1994-95 ewe premium at the end of June. Payment of any instalment therefore cannot commence until after that. I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will arrange for payment of the instalments due at the earliest possible date.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:56 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when beef premium, suckler cow premium and beef cow premium payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named was paid an advance of her January 1993 special beef premium on 14 April 1994. This application is being processed further at present and any balance due will be paid shortly.
Her applications under the 1993 beef cow, the 1993 suckler cow and the June 1993 special beef premium schemes are being processed at present and any payments due will be made in the near future.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:57 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a decision will be made on an application for freesian suckler cow quota by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The person named has established a suckler cow quota of 7 premium rights based on his 1992 application. He does not qualify for additional quota from the 1993 National Reserve because he did not present any eligible suckler cows for inspection in 1993.
Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:58 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a farm development grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This grant will be paid within the next week.
Edward Nealon
Ceist:59 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when the balance of headage and suckler cow grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo.
The person named was paid an advance of £810.78 under the 1993 cattle headage scheme on 3 December 1993 and an advance of £569.45 under the 1993 suckler cow scheme on 4 December 1993. His applications are being processed further at present and the balances due will be paid shortly.