Dáil Éireann - Volume 571 - 07 October, 2003

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

  225. Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received an area based payment; when this person will receive payment. [22293/03]

  Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): The person named included a land parcel on his 2003 area aid application that overlapped with a land parcel on another herdowners application. This overlap was resolved in favour of the person named and his application has now been fully processed with an area determined for payment purposes of 17.14 hectares. Payment of his full entitlement under the 2003 area-based compensatory allowance scheme will issue shortly.

  226. Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person – details supplied – in County Wexford has not yet received follow up payments due from his Department due to this person being depopulated of his sheep flock in December 2002 due to scrapie; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/03]

  Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): The flockowner was depopulated under the scrapie eradication programme on the 20 December 2002 and was paid compensation in respect of the market value of his flock. A number of concerns arose in relation to the claim for loss of profit payment in this case and the Department is conducting certain necessary investigations.

  227. Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive payments due to them from [1653] his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/03]

  Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): The person named has 72 animals eligible under the 2003 slaughter premium scheme to date. Nineteen of these animals were heifers under 30 months of age and are therefore eligible for a top-up from the national envelope for the beef sector. In accordance with the EU regulations governing the slaughter premium scheme, advance payment of estimated entitlement will commence for both of these schemes from 16 October 2003. The balance of premium due will be paid in 2004 after the national quota position has been established and after completion of all checks.

  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 period and completion of all checks.