Ivan Yates
Ceist:118 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if special beef premium payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if his Department will expedite these payments. [5608/98]
Written Answers - Grant Payments.
The person named made an application for six animals on the ten month special beef premium in July 1997. This application has been processed for payment. However, the applicant failed to lodge an area aid application in 1997. In such cases payment is made on eligible animals under the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes on up to 15 livestock units firstly taking account of any milk quota held at 1 April 1997 and any ewes applied on under the 1997 ewe premium scheme.
The person concerned applied on 41 ewes representing 6.15 livestock units under the 1997 ewe premium scheme. he does not hold a milk quota and did not apply under the 1997 suckler cow scheme. He is, therefore, entitled to be paid special beef premium on the six eligible animals submitted representing a further 3.6 livestock units. Payment cannot issue, however, until a definitive position as regards Ireland's national special beef premium quota usage has been determined. It is unlikely that the payment can be made before April 1998.
Michael Ring
Ceist:119 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid on his REP scheme application. [5643/98]
The person concerned is a new applicant under the REP scheme. The application was lodged recently, on 19 February 1998, and is currently being processed.
Dan Neville
Ceist:120 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a beef premium grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [5644/98]
The person concerned applied for special beef premium on 30 January 1997 in respect of 43 ten month animals. A second ten month application in respect of six animals was received on 29 May 1997. A 22 month application in respect of 41 animals was received on 10 January 1997. Advance payments in respect of these three applications issued to him on 24 November 1997.
The person applied on 4 December 1997 for 22 month special beef premium in respect of 15 animals. It is expected that payments in respect of December 1997 applications will commence in the next fortnight. Balancing payments under the 1997 special beef premium scheme cannot commence until such time as national quota usage for 1997 has been determined. Quota usage is determined by reference to the overall number of animals deemed eligible for payment of the ten months premium. The definitive position will not be known until April 1998.
John Perry
Ceist:121 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to payment of a hardship grant on a restricted herd to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if the payment is payable from the date the herd is restricted or from the date of the re-test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5645/98]
An essential prerequisite for eligibility under the terms and conditions of the hardship grant scheme is that the holding of a herdowner applying continues to be restricted following a herd retest. Eligibility for payment is based, inter alia, on the date of the reactor retest or the date of receipt of application whichever is the later. In the case referred to a hardship grant payment was issued on 12 February 1998 covering the period 4 December 1997, date of reactor retest to 3 January 1998. A further and final payment in respect of the period 4 January 1998 to 2 February 1998, date of derestriction of the holding will be made shortly.
John Perry
Ceist:122 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a headage grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the herd is registered and the pen has been passed. [5646/98]
The person named was registered as herdowner on 27 February 1998. She will be paid her full entitlement under the 1997 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks.