Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

75 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he will put a five-year scheme in place in order to allow ewe numbers to be brought up to pre-disaster levels in view of the severe snow blizzard in the Nire Valley area of the Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford, in mid-March 1996, as a result of which many sheep farmers suffered major losses; if he will allow full payment to the farmers for five years on their existing quota numbers in order to protect their livelihood while they rebuild their flocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22538/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

I am aware of the serious losses suffered by a number of hill sheep-farmers in the Nire Valley, County Waterford, in March 1996. I arranged for my Department to ensure that the force majeure provisions of the relevant EU Regulations were applied to allow payment of ewe premium and headage payments, valued at about £25 per head. The consent of the EU Commission has been secured to enable these payments be made for 1996, but it is not possible under existing regulations to continue such an arrangement for five years.

Although there is no existing source of funds which may be drawn upon for a situation such as this, I have asked my Department to explore all possible means of providing assistance as an exceptional measure in view of the severity of the losses suffered.