Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:219 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which the various support payments to producers are up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25880/03]
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
The position is that in the period 1 January 2003 to date some €1.123 billion has been paid to farmers under the various premia and compensatory allowances schemes of which €643 million relates to payments under the 2003 schemes.
Payment of 80% advance of special beef premium under the 2003 scheme commenced on 16 October 2003 as scheduled and to date €88.2 million has issued in respect of 726,281 animals applied on between 1 January 2003 and 31 July 2003. Payment in respect of special beef premium applications received in this Department in August 2003 will commence this month.
Payment of 80% advance of slaughter premium under the 2003 scheme commenced on 16 October 2003 as scheduled and to date €82 million has issued in respect of 1.2 million animals slaughtered between 1 January 2003 and 30 September 2003. National envelope payments of €5.2 million have also issued in respect of 286,000 animals.
Payment of 80% advance under 2003 suckler cow premium commenced on 16 October as scheduled and €155.2 million has been paid to date to 53,640 farmers representing 85% of applicants.
Full payment of the 2003 ewe premium also commenced on 16 October and to date €95.5 million has been paid to 33,405 farmers representing 95% of applicants.
Payments commenced under the 2003 area based compensatory allowance scheme on 19 September. To date €216 million has been paid to 90,722 farmers representing 89% of applicants.
Under all of these schemes payments are continuing as query cases are resolved. Payment of arable aid under the 2003 area aid scheme is due to commence on 16 November 2003.