Jim Higgins
Ceist:158 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received headage payments. [22269/99]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The 1999 area aid application of the person named was randomly selected for inspection. This inspection has taken place and the application can now be finally processed. Any payments due will issue as soon as possible.
John Perry
Ceist:159 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if all outstanding area aid problems will be resolved for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if a 1998 sheep headage payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22280/99]
This herdowner's 1998 area aid application has been fully processed and a cattle headage payment has issued. The person named included commonage in his 1999 area aid application but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has been contacted in this regard and his application cannot be processed further until this information is provided. The person named was not an applicant under the 1998 or 1999 sheep headage scheme.
John Perry
Ceist:160 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if an original plan, which was drafted by Department officials, will be re-instated for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if full payment will be authorised with all arrears due in view of the fact that technical adjustments were made on his REP scheme plan following an inspection of the land and was categorised differently which resulted in a loss of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22281/99]
This applicant was selected for a detailed plan examination and on-farm inspection. The original agri-environmental plan was found to contain a number of deficiencies which needed to be rectified in a revised plan. A revised plan was received but it too was found to contain deficiencies. The person named and his planner were informed of the situation and a further revised plan was received in early November. This is being assessed at present by my Department.
John Perry
Ceist:161 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason there is a backlog of up to one year in audits of REP scheme inspection checks in County Sligo; if he will consider partial payments to REP scheme participants in the scheme based on previous years applications until all the audits and inspection are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22282/99]
In operating the REP scheme, my Department has to have regard to the need to maintain appropriate standards of monitoring and control, while at the same time bearing in mind the legitimate expectations of applicants for a prompt and efficient service. Pre-payment inspections are a key component of the control systems and payments cannot be made to REPS participants chosen for inspection until they have taken place. I have no plans to alter the provisions.
A range of circumstances, including the competing demands on human resources arising from the various schemes and services provided by my Department, can on occasion lead to delays in arranging inspections.