Michael Creed
Ceist:98 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid his farm improvement grant. [16173/97]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
There are two grant payments due to the applicant for land improvement and a farm roadway. These grant payments are being processed at present, and if all documentation is in order, payment will issue within the next few weeks.
Michael Creed
Ceist:99 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has given instructions in respect of a delay in payment of cattle and sheep headage premia to facilitate earlier payments to the cereal sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16176/97]
I am acutely conscious of the importance of arable aid payments to cereal producers particularly this year in view of the very difficult harvest conditions. However, under EU regulations these payments cannot commence until 16 October. I am ensuring in so far as it is possible that arable aid payments will be made as quickly as possible starting from that date. It is my hope that the vast bulk of all arable aid payments will be processed and issued within a week from 16 October, which will be a substantial improvement on the position which obtained last year.
Payments under the 1997 disadvantaged areas headage schemes (both cattle and sheep) commenced recently. Some £29 million has now been paid under these schemes which is ahead of the position at a similar date last year. In addition further BSE/agri-monetary compensation payments will be made this week. It is expected that these payments will amount to some £15 million nationally. Therefore, there has been no question of delaying payments.