Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cattle Compensation Scheme.

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

526 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have investigations made into and review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has not received the proper compensation under a scheme for cattle sold in April and May 1996; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is considerable disquiet throughout the country regarding payment of this type of compensation; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that it appears that it is not the relevant person who received the compensation but other agents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1114/97]

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

I have had the matter referred to examined thoroughly in my Department. The position is that the person named did not qualify for aid for young bulls under the 1996 BSE compensation scheme for heifer and young bull producers.

The scheme in question was part of an EU BSE compensation package, worth close to £70 million to Irish farmers. The details of the scheme were finalised following careful consideration of the views and recommendations of the farming organisations. I am satisfied that the scheme has made a substantial contribution towards easing the income difficulties suffered by beef producers as a result of the difficult market situation in 1996.