Vol. 479 No. 1
88 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when full approval will issue for a centre (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the seasonal nature of the programme and the current interest in uptake for 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12328/97]
Approval for grant assistance for the centre in question has now issued.
89 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will issue payment under the REP scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [12383/97]
Payment will be made in this case within the next week.
91 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when ten month and 22 month premia and area aid payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Offaly. [12385/97]
The person named applied for premium under the 1996 special beef premium scheme in respect of 24 animals under the ten month scheme and in respect of nine animals under the 22 month scheme. Payments of £2,164.08 and £811.53 in respect of those applications were made on 3 May 1997.
Payment of 1996 extensification premium is expected to commence within the next two weeks.
92 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made to pay a REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [12386/97]
Payment in this case will issue this week.
93 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to increase the rural world premium to £10 per ewe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12387/97]
Under the terms of Council Regulation 1323/90 sheep farmers are eligible for payment of the rural world premium if at least 50 per cent of the holding is located in a disadvantaged area and if that area is used for sheep production. The level of the rural world premium is set in an EU regulation and any increase in the premium would therefore require a proposal from the EU Commission and the approval of the Council of Ministers. This is unlikely in a year when market prices for lamb have been at record levels.
