Vol. 477 No. 2
273 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason grants have not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the date on which these payments will issue; the amount of grants to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8740/97]
The person concerned was paid £360.60 representing 80 per cent advance under the 1996 special beef premium scheme on 24 March 1997. He was paid his 1996 cattle headage entitlement of £1,463.40 on 23 January 1997. He was paid his 1996 ewe premium entitlement of £897.03 in three instalments.
The person concerned will be entitled to a payment of £1,262.07 under the 1996 EU suckler cow scheme and a balancing payment of £90.17 under the 1996 EU special beef premium scheme. These payments are dependent upon validation of all the data supplied on the 1996 area aid application form against the maps supplied to the applicant. This is a requirement under the land parcel identification system the purpose of which is to provide the Department with a data base whereby land parcels being claimed for area aid purposes can be located, identified and have area values and land use attributed. Furthermore, the system ensures that parcels of land are not over-claimed by farmers or that the same parcel is not claimed by more than one farmer in any given year. Certain problems arose in identifying all of the land parcels being claimed by the person concerned against those parcels outlined on the maps supplied to that person. The person concerned was written to on 12 December 1996 with a view to resolving the problem. No reply has been received to date. As soon as a reply is received his case will be processed for payment of the outstanding amounts.
274 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the reason the commitments which he gave in 1995 and 1996 regarding control of farmyard pollution grants have not been fulfilled to date; if he will reintroduce these grants in view of the revenue income available to this Government; if so, the date on which this will be done; the amount of money available in this regard in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/97]
The commitments given in 1995 and 1996 as regards the control of farmyard pollution (CFP) scheme have all been met. As regards the reopening of the scheme, Partnership 2000 indicated that it is the Government's intention to do so if additional funds become available at the mid term review of Structural Funds.
276 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the grant aid, if any, he has made available towards the provision of facilities for the processing of venison; and if so, the amount which has been paid; and the companies to which it has been paid. [8761/97]
Grant assistance for the provision of deer processing facilities is available under the food sub-programme of the EU operational programme for industrial development. One firm, Galtee Deer Care, has been approved for a grant of 40 per cent, estimated at £39,200, towards the cost of establishing a pilot venison processing plant. No grants have yet been paid on this project.
