Jim Higgins
Ceist:56 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in the payment of an area aid grant to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [12415/98]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Payments under the 1997 cattle headage and suckler cow schemes have already been made to the person concerned.
Payments under the extensification premium scheme (area aid payments) do not normally start until late May or early June each year, with all eligible applicants being paid by end June. Because Ireland has exceeded its national quota under the 1997 special beef premium scheme, payments under the 1997 extensification scheme cannot commence until all 1997 special beef premium applications are fully processed and the definitive position in relation to usage of quota is determined. Quota usage is determined by reference to the overall number of animals qualifying for the ten months premium. It is expected that the position will become clear shortly following which extensification premium payments can commence.
If the stocking density of the person named is under 1.4 livestock units per hectare, 1997 extensification premium will be paid to him during June.
Michael D'Arcy
Ceist:57 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of applications refused payment under the livestock headage and premium schemes for the year ending December 1997, including cattle, beef cows, sheep, goats and equine headage, special beef premium, ten and 22 month premiums, ewe premiums, suckler cow premiums and extensification premiums. [12416/98]
The position is that payments under the various 1997 livestock headage and premium schemes do not conclude at the end of the calendar year. Therefore it is not possible, as yet, to give the number of applications refused payment under the 1997 schemes. For example, under the suckler cow premium scheme and the special beef premium scheme the regulations provide for advance payments commencing on 1 November of the year of application with balancing payments being made in the following year. Payments to applicants under the October 1997 suckler cow premium scheme could not commence until such time as the six month retention period expired in April 1998. Payment of the final instalment of the 1997 ewe premium commenced on 17 February 1998 in line with EU regulations. Payment of 1997 extensification premium will be made automatically to eligible producers. These payments do not normally commence until end May-June each year. EU regulations require that, except in duly justified exceptional circumstances, all eligible applicants be paid balancing payments and extensification premium, where appropriate, by 30 June 1998.
In so far as the disadvantaged areas' headage schemes are concerned every effort is made to make payment in full in the year of application.
The following table gives the percentage of applicants paid to date under the various 1997 livestock headage and premia schemes.
|
Scheme |
% paid |
|
Cattle Headage/Beef Cow |
98 |
|
Sheep Headage |
95 |
|
Ewe Premium |
96 |
|
Special Beef Premium |
91 |
|
Suckler Cow Premium |
96 |
|
Slaughter Premium |
99 |
|
Goat Headage |
85 |
|
Epuine Headage |
92 |
Those cases unpaid may not have yet established eligibility and be under query for one reason or another. Outstanding difficulties with a small number of 1997 area aid applications are being resolved as quickly as possible. Outstanding balancing payments under the 1997 sucker cow premium and special beef premium are being made to the farmers concerned as area aid problems are cleared.
John Browne
Ceist:58 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when extensification payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [12418/98]
An extensification premium amounting to 36 ECUs (£30.00 approx.) per head is payable under 1997 schemes on suckler cows and male cattle where the stocking density is less than 1.4 livestock units per hectare. However, producers whose stocking density is less than 1.0 livestock units will be paid extensification premium at a rate of 52 ECUs (£42.00 approx.) on each eligible animal.
Any amount due in respect of extensification premium will be paid in June 1998 after the national quota usage for the 1997 special beef premium scheme is established.
John Browne
Ceist:59 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in paying a 22 month beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12419/98]
The person named made the following 22 month special beef premium applications: 28 animals on 10 November, 1997; four animals on 4 December 1997.
Four of the tag numbers submitted on the 10 November 1997 22 month application were deemed ineligible on the grounds of age and the application has recently been returned from field inspection and processed for payment in respect of 24 animals. A payable order in respect of a 90 per cent advance payment will issue over the coming week.
Payable orders in respect of the December application have issued as follows: P.O. Number 02461101309 issued on the 19 March 1998 £216.40 (60 per cent); P.O. Number 02497389906 issued on 2 April 1998 £108.21 (30 per cent).
The balancing payment cannot commence until the final position vis à vis the national quota for special beef premium is established, in early June, 1998.
Michael Ring
Ceist:60 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment of 22 month special beef premium, ten month special beef premium balance payment and ten month special beef premium for 1997. [12428/98]
The applicant declared 23.06 hectares on her 1997 area aid application form. No land has been digitised to date. In an effort to identify the location and area of her land, maps have been sent to the person concerned, who should clarify the position as a matter of urgency.
No further payments can issue to the person named until the digitising of the land claimed is completed.
Michael Ring
Ceist:61 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the balance payment on his 1997 ten month special beef premium application in view of the fact that there is approximately £70 owed to him. [12429/98]
The person concerned submitted one ten month special beef premium application on 17 February 1997 in respect of two animals.
A 60 per cent payment of £108.20 issued on 2 December 1997 and a further 30 per cent payment of £54.10 issued on 26 May 1998. Any final balancing payment due will issue after the definitive position vis à vis the national quota usage for special beef premium has been established. It is expected that the position regarding usage of quota will become clear shortly.