Michael Ring
Ceist:231 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive area-based payments for 2002. [4587/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The delay in making payment in this case arose from the fact that it was necessary to write to the person concerned seeking information on the stocking density on the holding. This matter has been resolved and the person named will be paid his full entitlement under the 2002 area-based compensatory allowance scheme as soon as possible.
Michael Ring
Ceist:232 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the remainder of area-based payments for 2002. [4588/03]
The 2002 area aid application of the person named was processed with an area of 25.53 hectares determined for payment purposes. However an additional area comprising some 15.85 hectares relating to a commonage share held by the herdowner should also have been included in the overall area determined for payment purposes. This omission has been rectified resulting in a revised total area of 41.38 hectares being determined for area aid. Payment due under the 2002 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue as soon as possible.
Dinny McGinley
Ceist:233 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when area-based compensation will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [4589/03]
The 2002 area aid application of the person named was processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 22.06 hectares. However, an additional area comprising 12 hectares relating to a commonage share held by the herdowner should also have been included in the overall area determined for payment purposes. This omission has been rectified resulting in a revised total area of 34.06 hectares. Payment due under the 2002 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue as soon as possible.
Paul Connaughton
Ceist:234 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an application for special beef premium posted on 23 December 2002 in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not accepted in its totality given that a number of animals listed would be the proper age on 27, 28 and 30 December 2002 and that this person had no alternative due to the Christmas post to send the application off prior to Christmas; if he will consider allowing this application and others in the context of it being a reference year for future payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4590/03]
The person named submitted two applications for special beef premium in respect of seven animals for second age premium on 24 December and five animals for first age premium on 30 December 2002.
As stated in the terms and conditions governing the scheme, the date of receipt of an application determines the eligibility of the animal based on the age of the animal on that date. It also states that only animals aged over 20 months old are eligible for the second age premium and the eligibility dates for each premium are printed on the cattle identity cards.
Given the Christmas holiday period, special arrangements were made by my Department to provide for the acceptance of special beef premium application forms at local offices as well as at the special beef premium unit in Portlaoise on all working days over the holiday period.
The application received in the special beef premium unit on 24 December 2002 was processed according to the date of receipt which resulted in six of the animals applied on being too young for the second age premium. These animals were not eligible until dates ranging between 27 December and 30 December.
These animals may be re-applied on under the 2003 special beef premium scheme if they are still in the possession of the person named and if they are otherwise eligible as per the terms and conditions of the scheme.
John Perry
Ceist:235 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all penalties due in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be waived; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4629/03]
The person named applied for premium for six animals under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of the 80% advance instalment issued on 16 October 2002. However, in processing the application for balance payment, it was found that two animals, tag numbers UFA656479 and UIA709933, were disposed of inside the six month retention period and were not replaced, as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. The herdowner has been contacted by the district livestock office of my Department regarding this matter. The medical certificate submitted is being considered and a decision will be notified to the person named as soon as possible.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:236 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive premium payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4630/03]
The 2002 area aid application of the person named was received late in the Department but was accepted on grounds of force majeure. The application was fully processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 26.54 hectares. The person named will be paid his full entitlement under the 2002 area-based compensatory allowance scheme as soon as possible.
The person named lodged one application for special beef premium on 29 January 2002 for 24 animals. The advance payment issued on 16 October 2002.
The person named has 45 animals eligible under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme with 32 of these also eligible under the national envelope top-up. Advance payment for the amounts of €2,880 and €584.96 issued on 16 October 2002 for the respective schemes. Balancing payments on all bovine schemes will issue from April 2003.
Seymour Crawford
Ceist:237 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when persons (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive premium payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/03]
In this case one application was lodged for special beef premium dated 12 March 2002. The application was processed and an 80% advance was paid on nine animals.
The person involved applied for premium for 22 animals under the 2002 suckler cow premium scheme. A producer inspection was carried out on 5 December 2002 at which it was found that the movement into the herd of one unclaimed animal, tag number 291212330014, was not recorded on the CMMS as is required under clause 32C of the terms and conditions of the scheme. Correspondence issued to the herdowner on 17 January 2003 advising him of the implications of this matter and allowing him 21 days to seek a review. He replied stating that he does not wish to have the decision reviewed. The application has been processed and payment of the 80% advance instalment under the suckler cow scheme will issue shortly.
The herdowner has 21 animals eligible under the 2002 slaughter premium scheme, 20 of which are also eligible under the national envelope top-up. Advance payment in respect of two animals under the slaughter premium amounting to €128 and one animal under the national envelope amounting to €18.28 issued on 16 October 2002. Advance slaughter premium and national envelope payments will issue on the remaining animals shortly.
In accordance with the terms and conditions governing the premium schemes in 2002, a small monetary penalty will be applied when all balancing payments are being made as a result of the failure by the person named to record one unclaimed animal on the CMMS.