Vol. 488 No. 1
109 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payments will be made to farmers whose lands are designated as being part of special areas of conservation and national heritage areas; and if a payment package has been agreed with the EU. [5437/98]
Payments under REPS for farmers in natural heritage areas have been made on an ongoing basis since the scheme's inception in June 1994. In relation to special areas of conservation, a package of measures to compensate farmers with designated lands in such areas was agreed with the farm bodies in February of last year, subject to the approval of the European Commission. Compensation will be paid either through an improved REPS package, or through a national scheme administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Proposals on the revised REPS measures have been under negotiations with the European Commission. I am anxious to bring these negotiations to a speedy conclusion and I am hopeful that agreement will be reached shortly.
110 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 9 December 1997, the progress, if any, on the supporting documentation that was lodged in his Department regarding the error on a person's suckler cow premium application (details supplied); if a decision will be made; when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5427/98]
The person named is not the registered owner of the herd number quoted.
However the documentation supplied by the person named in respect of his 1997 application is accepted by the local office of my Department. Payment in respect of the two extra animals under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme will issue within the next two weeks.
111 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid his installation aid grant. [5428/98]
The application in this case is currently being processed. If everything is found to be in order payment should issue within six weeks.
112 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive his 1997 suckler cow scheme payment, in view of the fact that he has received no payment and this was confirmed by the local office. [5429/98]
An advance payment of £673.10 issued to the person concerned on 5 December 1997 in respect of a suckler cow premium payment. Before the balance of the premium payment can issue all of the forage area declared by the person concerned must be validated by the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS).
Following digitising and validation against aerial photography of the 7.02 hectares claimed by the person concerned in 1996, it appears that an over-declaration may have occurred. My Department has arranged to issue a map of the digitised land to the person concerned to determine if such an over-declaration exists. As soon as the maps are returned, the case will be finalised and any outstanding payments, if due, will issue.
