Ivor Callely
Ceist:105 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and value of headage payments made in 1996; if there are any outstanding claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10995/97]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The number of payments made in 1996 under the various headage and premia schemes was 1,010,092. The value of payments made in 1996 was £788 million. These figures include balancing payments under 1995 and earlier years' schemes as well as payments made under the 1996 schemes in the 1996 calendar year.
To date over 665,000 payments valued at £683 million have already issued under the 1996 schemes. The estimated amount outstanding under these schemes is £87 million which includes £62 million in respect of extensification premium and £6.5 million in respect of October 1996 suckler cow premium. It is expected that payments under the extensification premium will commence in May in line with the commitments given in the Charter of Rights for Farmers and with EU requirements. Payments under the October 1996 suckler cow premium scheme will commence in early May when the six month retention period has expired.
The remainder of the outstanding payments involve all schemes but principally 20 per cent balancing payments under the special beef premium scheme. These are largely problem cases including area aid linked issues and payments are continuing as problems are resolved.