Vol. 512 No. 6
163 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when an area aid payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application was submitted to his Department in April 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26932/99]
The person mentioned submitted an incomplete area aid application form, in that he did not submit a map for one of the plots which he included in his application form. The applicant has been written to in this connection. Processing of the application cannot be completed until the map required is received. Payments cannot issue before processing is completed.
164 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has suffered severe income problems from an outbreak of tuberculosis in his herd will be paid special beef premia on animals which were imminently due for payment for the fact that they were depopulated; and if he is entitled to the maximum level of hardship and other financial assistance to cover his disease related problems. [26945/99]
The person named applied for special beef premium in respect of eight animals on 12 May 1999. Advance payment of 60% issued on 1 November 1999. He submitted a second application in respect of three animals on 23 November, 1999. The animals listed on the application were compulsorily removed as tuberculosis reactors on 26 November 1999. As such, the failure to meet the retention requirement of the scheme will be excused and the application will be processed for payment which is due to issue in February 2000. I will respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the other part of the question.
165 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the outcome of an appeal made in connection with payment of a special beef premium to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [26946/99]
The herdowner lodged an appeal on 8 September 1999 concerning his 1999 special beef premium application. The appeal is currently being examined by the headage and premia appeals unit. It is expected that a decision will be made shortly and the herdowner will be notified of the outcome.
166 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a 1999 REP scheme payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [26948/99]
This application was chosen at random for a pre-payment inspection. This inspection will be carried out as soon as possible. No payment can issue until this inspection is completed.
167 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a REP scheme penalty has been imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [26991/99]
Under the revised terms and conditions of the REP scheme, applicants have two months from the anniversary date of their commencement in the scheme to lodge second and subsequent year applications. All planning agencies have been informed of this change, and all applicants are notified with their application forms of the revised time-scale for submission and the consequences of late submission.
A 100% penalty may be imposed for applications received more than four months after the anniversary date of the commencement of the application. In this case the application should have been received no later than 31 May 1999 but was not received until 8 October 1999.
