Michael Ring
Ceist:277 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the remainder of the grant approved for a slatted shed. [21136/01]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling. A number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.
Michael Ring
Ceist:278 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, following a successful appeal heard on 17 July 2001 in respect of the REP scheme. [21137/01]
A refund of the penalty amount was made by my Department on 10 September 2001.
Michael Ring
Ceist:279 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will issue the result of an appeal heard for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in respect of the REP scheme. [21138/01]
This case which involves one of the persons named is not currently under appeal. In his original REPS plan, which commenced on 1 May 1997, the person involved had included an area that was subsequently found to be ineligible for payment. Following a meeting with Department officials in May 2001 he submitted an amended plan, and payments already made on the ineligible area then had to be recovered. In addition, he incurred a 10% penalty on his third annual payment for not carrying out undertakings in his plan in respect of his farmyard. All outstanding payments due to him, taking account of the penalty, the overpayment on the ineligible area and interest, were made on 31 August 2001.
My Department's local FDS office has provided the Deputy with a copy of a letter that issued to the person involved on 17 August 2001 which gave full details as to the eligible area of his application and the way in which his payments were to be calculated.
Liam Aylward
Ceist:280 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when payment of a grant under the control of farm pollution scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [21157/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling. A number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.
Jim Higgins
Ceist:281 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of outstanding grants which have been approved under the national farm pollution scheme and which have been processed for payment but in respect of which payment cannot be made until further EU approval has been forthcoming. [21158/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling.
To date, some 618 grants under the scheme await payment. Payment of these grants has been delayed pending formal approval from the EU to raise the ceiling. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly.
John Bruton
Ceist:282 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will consider the restoration of a milk quota to a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a decision on the matter. [21173/01]
During the milk quota year ending 31 March 2001 the person named made no milk deliveries against his quota nor did he make a temporary transfer under the temporary leasing scheme.
In accordance with Regulation 23 of the European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 94 of 2000), which sets out the procedure for dealing with dormant milk quotas, the person named was notified on 9 July 2001of the Department's proposal to add his quota of 12,765 litres (2,808 gallons) to the national reserve. He was informed that if he did not agree with this proposal he could make observations in writing within 30 days.
On 3 August 2001, observations were received and following further consideration of the matter, the Department confirmed the surrender of the quota to the national reserve as from 1 April 2001. This decision has been communicated directly to the person named.
As the milk quota is added to the national reserve, it is no longer available for use by the person named. The regulations specifically provide, however, that should he resume milk production in his own right, he may apply to the Minister for the return of that quota to his benefit, and that the Minister shall grant that quota to the applicant no later than 1 April following the date of his application, provided that such an application has been received by the Minister prior to the 1st day of the preceding January. Application forms for such a request are available directly from the milk policy division of the Department.
John Perry
Ceist:283 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a decision on a REP scheme appeal by a person (details supplied) will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21188/01]
An appeal against a 50% penalty imposed on his REPS payment was lodged on behalf of the person named in April 2001. In accordance with the normal procedure, the case has been investigated by my Department and a report prepared for the REPS appeals committee. The entire matter will be considered by the appeals committee at its next meeting, which will take place within the next two weeks. When the appeals committee takes its decision the person named will be notified directly of the outcome.
John Perry
Ceist:284 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a payment for a slatted shed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21189/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling. A number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.
John Perry
Ceist:285 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) will receive a slatted shed grant payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21191/01]
The national scheme for the control of farm pollution, now replaced by the new farm waste management scheme, was extremely successful and uptake exceeded all expectations. The EU-imposed ceiling for expenditure under this scheme has been reached and my Department has applied to the EU Commission to formally raise the ceiling. A number of payments under the scheme, including payment to the person mentioned in the question, has been delayed pending receipt of this formal approval. Following recent discussions between my Department and the European Commission a positive response is expected very shortly. All payments will issue immediately approval is received.