Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the grants that are available through her Department for marts; the number of such applications that have been made; the location of same; and the level of grant assistance sought. [30234/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under my Department's capital investment scheme for the marketing and processing of certain agricultural products, up to 40% grant aid may be awarded for capital projects intended to improve the marketing and processing of products in the horticulture, potatoes, grain, egg packing and livestock, including marts, sectors. Awards are made following evaluation and taking account of the funding available. In the case of marts, grant assistance is geared towards the improvement of marketing facilities, with grant aid being prioritised towards rationalisation and relocation of existing enterprises.

Under the current call for proposals eight applications, seeking grant aid in the region of €6 million, have been received in respect of the following livestock marts: Castlerea Co-Op, Castlerea, County Roscommon; Connacht Gold Co-Op, Balla, County Mayo; Cork Co-Op, Cahir, County Tipperary; Cork Co-Op, Dungarvan, County Waterford; Cork Co-Op, Macroom, County Cork; Inishowen Co-Op, County Donegal; Kilkenny Co-Op Livestock Market Limited; Listowel Livestock Mart, Listowel, County Kerry. These applications are being evaluated and decisions will be made in the coming weeks in respect of those applications where all the necessary planning approvals have been obtained.

As the problem on the farm is a complex one, the approach has been to investigate as many factors as possible in a methodical, scientific way so that the most appropriate course of action can be pursued to try to identify the underlying cause. This work is ongoing and is being progressed as quickly as possible. The farmer concerned has been very much involved in all aspects of this investigation and has been kept fully informed at all times. My Department does not operate any scheme to alleviate hardship in circumstances such as are being encountered in this case. I am satisfied that this matter is being examined by those persons, within and outside my Department best qualified to carry out this work and I look forward to the result of that examination.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application for the suckler cow premium by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will be accepted. [30249/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The application period for the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme ran from 2 January 2004 to 30 June 2004. Applications received after 30 June but before the 26 July 2004 could be accepted subject to the application of a late penalty. No premium is payable on applications received on or after 26 July 2004.

The person named submitted his application under the 2004 suckler cow premium scheme on 9 November 2004. As the application was lodged after the closing dates outlined above, my Department advised him that his application could not be accepted. He was also advised that he could seek a review of this decision by writing to my Department and supplying any information that he felt would help his case.

To date, my Department has not received any request for review. If the person named wishes to seek a review on medical grounds he will need to provide a medical certificate covering the nature and dates of his illness.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not received area aid payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30257/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named was selected for a good farming practice inspection in 2004. At inspection a discrepancy in the area of the holding was found. Pending resolution of the query payment of the 2004 area-based compensatory allowance could not be made. The problem has now been resolved and payment of the full amount due will be made to the person named shortly.