The circular letter and form pertaining to the area aid replacement forms was dated 25 January 1996 and issued on 26 January to 2,489 1995 livestock aid applicants identified by my Department as having submitted a permanent grassland area aid application form in 1994 but not in 1995.
The issuing of these letters was accompanied by a widespread information campaign in the farming media to ensure that herdowners would reply to the letter in good time.
Subsequent to the issue of the letter, a small number of herdowners contacted my Department to say they had not received a copy of it. They were sent the same letter and form which had issued on 26 January bearing the original 25 January date.
The task of completing the form accompanying the letter was quite simple with three "Yes" or "No" questions to be answered before the form was to be signed and returned to the area aid unit in the envelope provided. In view of this, I cannot accept that an extension to the period initially allowed for return of the forms is warranted. It should be noted that the usual twenty days' period of grace for acceptance of late applications applies in this case and runs from 24 February 1996 to 14 March 1996 (subject to 1 per cent penalty for each working day the application is received after 23 February).
