Vol. 500 No. 7
230 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in payment of an area aid, headage and other grants to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and the reason the person had not been informed of any queries. [4964/99]
The person concerned submitted an area aid application, which included land parcels that were also claimed by another applicant in 1998. In cases such as this the matter is taken up with both of the parties concerned. The person concerned was made aware of the problem, and replied to the query in a letter dated 15 January 1999. The matter has now been resolved and no reductions were imposed on the person's application. The area aid application is now fully processed and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
231 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive sheep headage payments. [4965/99]
To qualify for headage payments an applicant must farm at least three hectares of land in a disadvantaged area. The person concerned submitted an area aid application with 1.54 hectares. As this is below the threshold, headage payments cannot be made to the person concerned.
232 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage, suckler cow and a special beef premium. [4966/99]
The area aid application for the person concerned has been processed. However, the applicant has over-declared the area on one parcel of land. Because the over-declaration is greater than 20 per cent of the total farm, under EU regulations, no area-linked payments can be made to the person concerned. Maps of the land in question recently issued to the applicant to ensure that all land declared on the application is included. Any amendment to these maps will be reviewed by my Department on their return.
233 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a headage grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4967/99]
The person named will be paid his entitlement under the 1998 cattle headage scheme within the next two weeks.
234 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when cattle and sheep headage payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [4968/99]
The area aid application for the person concerned has been processed. Additional land was included in 1998 but the applicant did not, however, submit a map of this land. My Department contacted the person named and the map has now been received and any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
