John Perry
Ceist:183 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a 2002 area based compensation payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23584/02]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The animal based headage schemes were replaced in 2001 by the area based compensatory allowance scheme. This scheme, which was approved by the European Commission, provides that applicants must meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare of the holding in the year preceding application. However, farmers who are unable to meet that minimum stocking density but who traditionally qualified for headage grants in respect of cattle and/or sheep may continue to qualify for payment, provided their land is being utilised and is not in danger of undergrazing.
The person named was not a headage recipient in 2000 and, according to my Department's records, the stocking density of the holding does not meet the minimum requirement. My Department will be in contact with the person named shortly with a view to establishing the type of farming activity being pursued. A decision on entitlement to 2002 area based compensatory allowance will be made on receipt of reply.
Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:184 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the names of those claiming area aid on Courmaraglin mountain commonage in the Comeragh Mountains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23596/02]
Under the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 1988, it is my understanding that I am precluded from disclosing the names of individuals who are claiming area aid on commonage parcels on Courmaraglin mountain unless the individuals concerned consent to the disclosure.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:185 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of a hardship grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of reactors found on the person's farm on two successive tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23597/02]
An application for a hardship grant from the registered owner of the herd number was received on 1 November 2002. In accordance with the terms of the scheme, payment will be processed as soon as possible after the first qualifying date of 1 December 2002.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:186 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a suckler cow premium for 2002 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23598/02]
During the course of processing in the area aid unit a query arose on the rights of the person named to claim a particular land parcel and my Department is awaiting a response to its query in this matter. Until this matter is resolved, no payment under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme can issue.