Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

166 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim has had his fourth payment under the REP scheme reduced by 50 per cent; and if he will consider that the only reason given for this reduction was the delay in receiving the application form in his Department. [24397/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development

(Mr. Walsh): As of 1 January 1999, penalties apply to late applications for second and-or subsequent payments. The penalty for applications received in the fourth calendar month following the end of the recording year is 50 per cent.

The person named submitted his fifth year application for payment under REPS on 24 August 1999. His recording year ended on 30 April 1999. His application was due to be lodged no later than 30 June 1999. In the circumstances, my Department had no option but to impose a 50% penalty in this case.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

167 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim has been requested to repay his first year payments under the REP scheme. [24398/99]

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

The person concerned applied for and was paid his first year REPS payment on 6 September 1995. He was due to submit his second year application for payment by 30 November 1996. As no second year application was received, my Department had no option but to terminate his participation in the REP scheme and seek a refund of his first year payment. Arrangements have been made to recoup this amount from other moneys due to him from my Department.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

168 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason persons (details supplied) in County Mayo have not received 1999 cattle headage. [24399/99]

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

The herdowner in this case included commonage in his 1999 area aid application, but did not provide proof of his entitlement to claim this commonage. The herdowner has been informed of this and his application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

169 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive 1999 cattle headage. [24400/99]

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

The person named submitted an area aid application which included a parcel in respect of which a dual claim was determined. My Department has contacted both herdowners to clarify the matter. No payments can issue until this matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

170 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress to date on the application by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow for an installation aid grant. [24458/99]

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

An application under the national scheme of installation aid was received in my Department from the person named. However, as this applicant only acquired his land in January 1999, the labour requirements of the farm cannot be assessed until the end of the first production year. His application will be reviewed again at that stage.