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Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004

Thursday, 8 July 2004

Ceisteanna (89, 90, 91, 92)

Seamus Kirk

Ceist:

83 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when moneys due under headings for 2003 will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The person named submitted nine applications under the 2003 special beef premium scheme and also had 51 animals eligible under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme. Advance payment at the rate of 80% of premium has issued in respect of the first four applications under the special beef premium scheme and in respect of 32 animals under the slaughter premium scheme. The person named applied for premium on eight animals under the 2003 suckler cow premium scheme. The 80% advance instalment amounting to €1434.56 issued on 17 October 2003.

Further payments under these schemes cannot be processed pending the completion investigations into identification and registration issues in relation to bovine animals on the holding of the person named. He also applied for 2003 extensification premium but payment of premium cannot be considered until the above investigations are finalised. My Department will be writing to the person named in this matter shortly.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

84 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason his Department continues to penalise a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in respect of overpayment of premiums; if, in this context an oral hearing will be afforded to them to fully and comprehensively explain the situation that pertained and to indicate their position adopted at all times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20978/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

In 1998, the person named included lands in his area aid application which were already included in another person's REPS plan. The person named was himself also in REPS. In these circumstances my Department had no option but to consider all the lands to be one single farming unit, which was eligible for only one REPS payment.

Both parties were informed directly of this position. They were invited to submit a joint application for REPS including all the lands. They did not avail of this invitation and so my Department had to seek full recovery of all the REPS payments that both had received. Recovery of the REPS payments received by the person named is continuing by way of withholding payments for which he is eligible under other EU-funded schemes. These cases have been reviewed in my Department, and the foregoing is my Department's decision based on all the information available. It is open to the person named and the other party to seek to include all the lands in a new single application for REPS, subject to satisfactory arrangements for full recovery of the outstanding debts in both cases.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

85 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he intends to make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for consideration of exceptional circumstances under EU Council Regulation EC1782/2003; if this application will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20979/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The person named submitted an application form for consideration of force majeure on 4 February 2004 and was not successful.

The person named has appealed the decision to the single payment appeals committee. Following consideration of that appeal, the applicant will be notified.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

86 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he intends to make a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon for consideration of exceptional circumstances under EU Council Regulation EC1782/2003; if this application will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20980/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The person named has been notified that the circumstances outlined in his single payment scheme application did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003. The person named can appeal my Department’s decision to the single payment appeals committee if he so wishes.

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