Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

140 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason an overpayment of beef premium is being sought from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2874/00]

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

The overpayment in question arose as a result of the person named being paid on animals under the 1998 special beef premium scheme in excess of the permitted two livestock units per forage hectare limit. Under EU Regulations governing the special beef premium scheme, a stocking density limit of two livestock units per hectare applies based on the forage area declared on an applicant's area aid application. The person named declared 33.05 forage hectares on his 1998 area aid application and, therefore, was entitled to payment on a maximum of 66.10 reckonable livestock units.

Reckonable livestock units consist of animals submitted by the applicant for special beef premium, suckler cow premium and ewe premium schemes together with notional livestock units derived from any milk quota held. The milk quota of the person named utilises the following livestock units: – 37,211 gallons divided by 897 gallons = 41.48 livestock units.

This leaves a balance of 24.62 livestock units for premia payments. However, when the initial 1998 80% advance payment issued to the person named, he was paid special beef premium on animals in excess of his remaining livestock unit quota of 24.62. The amount paid in excess amounted to £1204.34, and represents the overpayment in question.