Vol. 502 No. 6
131 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that headage payments were miscalculated for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if the underpayments will be released in view of the serious financial pressure he is under; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8799/99]
The person named incorrectly declared a total of 16.05 hectares in his 1998 area aid application. Payment of £1,206.79 under the 1998 cattle headage scheme was based on this area. This grant was subject to forage area restrictions as set out in clause 27 of the terms and conditions governing this scheme. The herdowner's error was rectified and his total area is now 25.15 hectares. A supplementary payment of £419.66 will issue to the person named within the next 14 days.
132 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a destocking payment will be made to a person (details supplied). [8800/99]
Payment was made to the person named on 29 March 1999.
133 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a 1998 REP scheme payment. [8816/99]
This case was chosen at random for pre-payment inspection in year three of REPS. On inspection, an issue arose in relation to the separation of holdings. This is currently being examined by my Department.
No payment can issue until this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.
134 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a full fodder grant was not paid before Christmas 1998 to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [8874/99]
In order to qualify under the 1998 winter fodder scheme a producer had to have: (a) mountain grazing and have an application submitted under the 1998 sheep headage scheme; or (b) a herd number in one of the designated DEDs and have lodged an application under the 1998 suckler cow premium scheme and hold a suckler cow quota or have a permanent milk quota of 35,000 gallons or less on 1 April 1998 and be active in milk production in the 1998-99 season.
The person named did not have a herd number in a designated DED and did not have mountain grazings. He did not, therefore, have an entitlement under the 1998 winter fodder scheme. He will, however, qualify under the 1999 winter fodder scheme and will be paid within the next few days.
135 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have her maps and area aid forms amended to the correct data in view of the fact she has already forwarded two separate sets of documents; if the 1999 area aid application will have the correct information on it before it is sent to her; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8875/99]
The 1998 area aid application of the person named has been fully processed, and there are now no outstanding errors. However, as the 1999 area aid application forms were printed before the corrected data was processed in the area aid unit, the person named should carefully examine her pre-printed form and make any necessary amendments.
136 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle headage and suckler cow premia in view of the fact he submitted proof of postage and a duplicate application some time ago. [8904/99]
The person named submitted an incomplete application, in that he did not submit sufficient maps with his 1998 area aid application form. The area aid unit has issued maps in order to enable him to identify the location of the remainder of his land. On receipt of these maps, processing will be completed.
137 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage and premia payments in view of the fact he has re-submitted his maps to the area aid unit as requested. [8905/99]
As stated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 50 on 11 March 1999 there was a problem with a parcel of land on the area aid application of the person concerned. The person named was contacted and further maps were received. The area aid application for the person named has now been fully processed, and any outstanding payments due will issue as soon as possible.
138 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 headage and premia. [8906/99]
It was necessary for the area aid unit to contact the person named and request additional maps. These maps were received in the area aid unit and have now been fully processed. Any payments due to the person named will issue as soon as possible.
139 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1995, 1996 and 1997 extensification payments in view of the fact he believes he was under the stocking density limitations. [8907/99]
The person named applied for 1995 suckler cow premium on six cows. He had a suckler quota of three premium rights and was, therefore, paid suckler cow premium on three cows. He also applied for, and was paid on, eight special beef animals, each over 24 months, under the 1995 special beef premium scheme. He declared an area of 18.79 hectares on his 1995 area aid application.
In accordance with the regulations, extensification premium is payable on all animals paid under the suckler cow and special beef premium schemes if the stocking density on the holding is less than 1.4 Lu/Ha. The person named had a total of 11 Lus, three suckler cow Lus and eight special beef Lus, for 1995. The stocking density was, therefore, 0.58 Lu/Ha, 11 Lus divided by 18.79 hectares. This entitled the person named to extensification premium on 11 animals amounting to £322.19. However, the person named was overpaid under the 1995 headage scheme and the amount of £322.19 was offset against this overpayment.
The person named applied for 1996 suckler cow premium on seven cows. He had a suckler cow quota for six premium rights and was, therefore, paid suckler cow premium on six cows. He also applied for and was paid on 13 animals under the 22 month special beef premium schemes. Twelve of those animals were over two years and were equivalent to 1 Lu each and one animal was under two years and was therefore equivalent to 0.6 Lu. The total livestock units for 1996 were 18.6.
He had an area of 12.26 hectares for 1996. The stocking density was, therefore, 1.51 Lu/Ha, 18.6 divided by 12.26, for 1996. As the stocking density was not less than 1.4 Lu/Ha the person named has no entitlement to extensification premium in 1996.
The person named applied for, and was paid on, six suckler cows under the 1997 suckler cow premium scheme. He also applied for, and was paid on, three animals under the ten month special beef premium scheme and six animals under the 22 month special beef premium scheme each equivalent to 0.6 Lu. He made a further application for 16 animals equivalent to 10.8 Lus under the 22 month premium scheme. Of these, four were rejected but counted for stocking density – two were females and two were previously paid on. He was paid at a reduced rate on the remaining 12 animals. The total livestock units for 1997 were 22.2. He had an area of 12.72 hectares for 1997. The stocking density was, therefore, 1.74 Lu/Ha, 22.2 divided by 12.72, for 1997. As the stocking density was not less than 1.4 Lu/Ha the person named has no entitlement to extensification premium for 1997.
140 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1998 cattle and sheep headage. [8908/99]
The herdowner named submitted an incomplete application – all the necessary maps were not lodged with his application form. He was contacted and the required maps were subsequently lodged. These maps have now been fully processed. Any outstanding payments due will issue as soon as possible.
