Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

207 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reasons for the delay in payments of area aid to persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; the estimated time for payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22111/03]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The 2003 area aid applications of both persons named were randomly selected for satellite inspection in line with normal control procedures. This process has now been completed and the forage area determined for payment purposes is 82.04 hectares for the first person and 38.89 hectares for the second person. Payments due to the persons named under the 2003 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue shortly. Both applicants also applied for arable aid in respect of 6.12 hectares for the first person named and 14.9 hectares for the second. Payments under the arable scheme are due to commence on 16 November 2003 in accordance with EU regulations.

The first person named submitted two applications for special beef premium, on 25 February 2003 and 2 April 2003, for 15 and two animals respectively. In accordance with the EU regulations governing the special beef premium scheme, advance payments of 80% of estimated entitlement will commence from 16 October 2003. The balance of premium due will be paid in 2004 after the national quota has been established and after the expiry of any relevant retention periods and completion of all checks. The second person named has not applied for special beef premium to date in 2003. Payments under the 2003 ewe premium scheme are scheduled to commence on 16 October in line with EU requirements and the persons named should receive their payment shortly after that date.

Only the first person named participated in the 2002 extensification premium, under the simplified system. On 5 June 2003, two payable orders amounting to €4,000 in total issued to him. These orders represented the entire amount of extensification premium due for 2002 at the higher rate of €80 per qualifying animal.