Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 2

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

John Perry

Ceist:

77 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will ensure that 1999 cattle headage payment for a person (details supplied) is immediately resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/00]

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

The person named in this case included commonage in his 1999 area aid application but did not provide proof of his entitlement to a share of the commonage. This commonage was also included in the 2000 area aid application for the person named and again no proof of entitlement was provided. The person named has been informed of this on a number of occasions and his application cannot be processed further until this proof is provided.

John Perry

Ceist:

78 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will resolve all outstanding difficulties regarding area aid for a person (details supplied) in order to ensure that a 2000 cattle headage payment is immediately released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28112/00]

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

The person named included 42.76 hectares in his 2000 area aid application. An area of 42.14 hectares was determined which is some 0.62 hectares or 1.47% less than the area claimed.

Under article 9 of EU Regulation 3887/92, no penalty is applied when the difference is less than 3%. Therefore in this case no penalty is applied, leaving the area determined for payment purposes at 42.14 hectares. Any payments due based on this area will issue as soon as possible.

John Perry

Ceist:

79 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28113/00]

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

The person named applied under the 2000 cattle headage scheme and the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme on 31 May 2000.

The herd of the person named was inspected on 20 July 1999 and it was found that the birth of 21 animals, which he had not applied on under the schemes, were not registered on the database and as a consequence had no passports. He was informed of this at the inspection and advised that his herd would be inspected again within 12 months.

The second inspection of his herd took place on 24 July 2000 and it was found that the birth of 14 of the animals, which again he had not applied on under the schemes, were not registered on the database and as a consequence had no passports. Under clause 35(f2>d) of 2000 cattle headage scheme and clause 35(f2>d) of the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme "If the animals for the schemes concerned are found non-compliant at two checks within 24 months, then the total amount of aid granted in the 12 months prior to the second check will be reduced proportionally". The person named was advised of this at the inspection and my Department wrote to him on 16 October 2000 informing him that his grant under the 2000 cattle headage scheme would be subject to a reduction penalty of 35% and that his grant under the 2000 suckler cow premium scheme would be subject to a reduction penalty of 17.14% in accordance with the terms and conditions governing these schemes. The person named asked for a review of this decision by letters dated 23 October 2000 and 2 November 2000. His case was examined by the district inspector but the review was unsuccessful. The person named was notified of the results of the review by letter of 27 November 2000 and has been given the opportunity to appeal the decision to the independent headage and premia appeals unit within 21 days.