Vol. 495 No. 7
218 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason many farmers are experiencing a reduction in their headage grant in 1998 in spite of the fact that they have the same number of animals and the same amount of land as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21007/98]
There has been no substantial change in the level of headage payments. Some farmers applying on the same number of animals with the same amount of land in 1998 as in previous years might be experiencing a reduction in payments this year. These include the application of stocking density restrictions of 1.4 livestock units per hectare across all headage schemes and a cap on the maximum grant payable to an individual farmer of £4,000. In addition, headage payments are only being made in 1998 based on land digitised under the land parcel identification system; in previous years payments were, in the first instance, made in many cases based on the area claimed by the farmer.
220 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of sheep and cattle headage to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to rectify the problem; and when payment will be made. [21014/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd-owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
221 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid a reactor grant which he applied for over three months ago. [21028/98]
Essential documentation was received from the person named in the local district veterinary office on 7 October 1998. Payments of reactor grants due should now have been received by the person named.
222 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of sheep headage to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to rectify the problem; and when payment will be made. [21029/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd-owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
223 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of sheep headage to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to rectify the problem; and when payment will be made. [21030/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd-owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
224 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of sheep headage to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to rectify the problem; and when payment will be made. [21032/98]
Difficulties have arisen in processing the area aid application of the person named and are being raised with the herd-owner. When these have been resolved any payment due will issue as soon as possible.
