Michael Ring
Ceist:187 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a suckler cow premium for 2001. [9841/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The person named applied for premium on 40 animals under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme. He disposed of three animals inside the six months retention period and provided details of two cows and one heifer as replacements. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme a heifer must be at least eight months old at the time of replacement. Records show that the heifer tag number 271030690166 was under eight months old at the time of replacement and is, therefore, not suitable. The herdowner has been contacted regarding this matter. The application will be processed further when the matter regarding a suitable replacement is finalised.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:188 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if farm payments are delayed due to the incompatibility of the computer systems in his Department's offices in Dublin and Portlaoise; his views on whether farmers should not suffer as a consequence; if he will ensure, if necessary by way of manual payments, that there is no further delay; and if arrangements will be made for payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork whose suckler beef premium 2001 has been held up for months. [9842/02]
There were some delays in processing a relatively small number of 2001 scheme cases due to the introduction of a new mapping and area payments computer system. The 2001 area aid application of the person named has been fully processed. The person named submitted four 2001 special beef premium applications in respect of a total of 103 animals as follows: 13 animals on 6 March 2001; 22 animals on 16 August 2001; 61 animals on 29 November 2001 and seven animals on 29 December, 2001.
The second application of the person named was the subject of an on-farm inspection. At this inspection, it was discovered that one animal listed on the application had lost both its eartags. This has resulted in a 4.76% reduction penalty on the remaining 21 eligible animals on this application. The query delayed payment in respect of the first two applications. One animal listed on the third application died during the retention period and was deleted without penalty. An 80% advance payment of €10,880.08 in respect of the four applications is now being issued. Balancing payments on the 2001 scheme will issue as soon as possible.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:189 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive livestock related payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9843/02]
The 2001 area aid application for the person named has been fully processed with an area of 47.60 hectares. Payment of his full entitlement under the 2001 suckler cow premium scheme, amounting to €4,535.30, has issued to the person named. The person named submitted two applications in respect of a total of 44 animals for special beef premium 2001. An 80% advance payment has issued in respect of 29 animals. Balancing payments will issue next month. Payment will also issue in respect of a further 15 eligible animals as soon as possible now that outstanding queries in relation to the cattle movement monitoring system have been resolved. One further animal has been deleted from the application as premium had previously been paid on that animal. The person named has established eligibility for slaughter premium 2001 in respect of 31 animals. Advance payment had issued in respect of one animal prior to the herd being selected for an on-farm inspection. This inspection has now been completed and the 80% advance payment on the remaining 30 animals will issue shortly. Balancing payments will commence in May 2002 when the national quota position has been established.