Vol. 550 No. 4
279 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will reconsider refusal on the basis of alleged late application of REP scheme payments to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare which was due to change of address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9497/02]
The annual submission of a payment application form is a mandatory requirement of the rural environmental protection scheme. To receive a full payment for the year in question, the person named should have made his application by 1 September 2000. If he lodged it by 31 October 2000, he would have received a reduced payment for the year. From 1 November 2000, no payment could be made for the year. In the event, the application was not received until August 2001.
While my Department issues an application form to REPS participants by way of a reminder, the REP scheme documentation clearly states that the onus is on participants to submit their annual applications for payment. The change of address by the person named did not relieve him of his obligation.
280 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a suckler cow grant payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9498/02]
The person named claimed a total of 53.74 hectares on his 2001 area aid application form. An area of 52.86 has been determined. This represents a difference of 0.88 hectares or 1.64% between the area claimed and that determined.
281 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a suckler cow grant payment has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9499/02]
The person named applied on 30 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. An inspection of her herd took place on 24 September 2001 where it appeared that six of the cows she had applied on had not calved for a number of years. A letter from the person named was received by the inspecting officer on 11 January 2002 in which she set out the calving dates for each of the six cows concerned. My Department has now re-examined her application and has decided to accept these animals as eligible suckler cows. Her application will now be processed for payment.
