Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, not only had an animal rejected from the special beef premium application, but also had a reduction penalty applied to the total number of eligible animals applied for on all of the schemes during the year; her views on whether this is arbitrary and unfair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6832/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted two applications under the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme, one dated 17 August 2004, in respect of four animals and one dated 20 December 2004, in respect of seven animals.

Following computer validation it was found that one of the four animals applied for on 17 August 2004 was slaughtered on 13 October 2004, inside the regulatory two-month retention period. Under the terms and conditions of the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme, applicants were required to "own, possess, hold and maintain" the animals applied on, for the entire two months retention period, starting on the day after the application is received by the Department.

By letter dated 24 August 2004 the person named was advised that this application had been received on 17 August 2004, the retention period would expire on 18 October 2004 and the first date on which any of the animals included on the application could be sold was 18 October 2004.

By letter dated 22 November 2004 the person named was advised that as the animal in question was slaughtered during the regulatory two-month retention period, no payment would be made on the animal and a penalty would be applied, in accordance with the terms and conditions.

The person named subsequently appealed this decision and, by letter dated 31 January, following consideration of the appeal, was advised that the original penalty was being upheld.

The person named was advised of the right of appeal to the agricultural appeals office; to date, no such appeal has been lodged with that office.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will introduce additional incentives for farmers or foresters growing native ash trees, in view of the number of thefts of ash trees and the ever increasing demand for the timber for hurley making; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6859/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The current afforestation scheme provides generous grants and premiums for the growing of ash trees. All planting costs are met by way of generous grants from my Department, of up to €4,951.98 per hectare. A premium of up to €467.26 per hectare is paid every year thereafter, for 20 years in the case of farmers and 15 years for others. This package of assistance, in addition to the increasing demand of ash for hurley making, provides an excellent incentive for the growing of ash on a commercial basis.

In relation to the demand for ash for hurley making my colleague Deputy John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, with special responsibility for forestry, recently met with representatives of the GAA, Coillte and hurley makers to discuss this matter and is arranging for the commissioning of a report on the supply of, and demand for ash for hurley making.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo can avail of the new terms for the buy-out scheme for Land Commission lands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6880/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person in question will be given an opportunity to avail of the special buy-out offer proposed in the Land Bill 2004.

All annuitants will be notified of the details of the scheme when the legislation is enacted.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the entitlements due to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the single payments scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6881/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's records indicate that the person named has 44.35 entitlements with a total net value of €3532.92. However, as the person named is now deceased, the circumstances of the case appear relevant to the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Therefore the executor or other representative of the person named should submit a completed inheritance application form to facilitate the transfer of the entitlements.

Application forms are available from the Departments website or by contacting the single payment unit, Inheritance Section, Portlaoise.