John Perry
Ceist:286 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grants available for the provision of an all-weather equestrian paddock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15942/02]
Vol. 554 No. 5
286 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grants available for the provision of an all-weather equestrian paddock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15942/02]
My Department makes grant aid available to farmers for investment in housing-hand ling facilities for horses under the scheme of investment aid in alternative enterprises. Horse exercise areas are among the investment items eligible for grant aid, with or without a special all weather surface. Such facilities must, however, comply with my Department's building specifications for such facilities. The maximum amount of investment eligible for grant aid under the scheme is €31,742 per holding in respect of horses.
Application forms and further details of the scheme may be obtained from the local offices of my Department. It is a strict condition of the scheme that only investments undertaken with prior written approval of the Department will qualify for grant aid.
287 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if headage payments will be brought forward; if he will consider setting up a special hardship fund for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15944/02]
297 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will bring forward direct payments to farmers due to the bad year they have had. [16038/02]
305 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the suckler cow, special beef, slaughter premia and the beef national envelope payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16136/02]
306 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when all arable aid payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16137/02]
314 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the measures he is taking to ensure that disadvantaged areas receive their full area based payments at the earliest possible date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16190/02]
315 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if 80% advanced payment of all livestock premia will be made on or before 16 October 2002 and 100% of the ewe premia by that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16191/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 297, 305, 306, 314 and 315 together.