Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John Perry

Ceist:

172 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 14 October 1999, he will intervene with the area aid unit on behalf of a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that written confirmation has been submitted that he has the right to declare the parcel of land as he has the lands rented for the past seven years; if cattle headage payment will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23551/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

As stated in my reply of 14 October 1999, one of the parcels claimed by the person named as part of his 1998 area aid application was also claimed by another herdowner. Letters accompanied by maps issued to both herdowners with a view to resolving the dispute. The other herdowner involved provided proof of his entitlement to claim the parcel in question.

The area aid unit has however, re-examined the 1998 application submitted by the person named having regard to additional material which he submitted. While he does not have a right to claim the parcel in question he does have a right to claim a plot of land adjacent to this parcel. In all these circumstances the area aid unit is prepared to regard the dual claim as an obvious error on the part of the person named and to allow the plot concerned to be added to his application. This plot is currently being entered onto the Department's electronic database. When this process is complete any balancing payments due for 1998 will issue as soon as possible.

John Perry

Ceist:

173 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); if 1999 cattle and sheep headage will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23553/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

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 written to in this regard, and his application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.