Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total amount of proposed funding committed to the native wood and neighbourhood wood schemes under the NDP in the BMW and south and east regions; the funding which has been allocated to these schemes to the end of 2004 in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20239/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The native woodland scheme and the neighbourhood scheme are part of the woodland improvement sub-measure of the regional operational programmes. This sub-measure includes the reconstitution, shaping, pruning and woodland improvement schemes. NDP funding is committed at a sub-measure level and is not broken down by individual scheme. The total commitment — public expenditure — in the BMW region for the woodland improvement sub-measure for the period 2000-06 is €32.02 million. The figure for the south east region is €20.08 million.

In the period 2001-04 inclusive, under the native woodland scheme in the BMW region, a total of 759.39 hectares was approved. The value of this approval depends on the composition of species planted but could be as much as €3.5 million. To date, €603,516.84 has been drawndown.

In the same period in the south east region, a total of 367.7 hectares was approved and the value of this approval could be as much as €1.7 million, depending on the species planted. A total of €413,660.26 has been drawn down to date.

Under the neighbourhood scheme in the BMW region, over the same period, a total of €416,693.54 was committed to projects, of which €346,566.67 has been drawn down. In the south east region, €549,953.44 was committed of which €190,647.62 has been drawn down.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be awarded the final beef premium on three animals. [20240/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted an application in respect of three animals under the 2004 special beef premium scheme on 5 October 2004. Following computer validation, it was found that the three animals in question had been sold prior to the end of the regulatory two month retention period. Under the terms and conditions of the 2004 special beef premium scheme, it was appropriate that these animals be rejected, that is, they would not be paid premium and a reduction penalty would apply to the premium payments due in respect of the other bovine applications lodged by the person named. However, following correspondence with the person named, it was agreed that the proposed penalty, applicable to the other applications would not apply, as medical evidence was supplied which confirmed that the person named was ill at the time of the sale of the animals. In the correspondence, the person named acknowledged that special beef premium could not be paid on the animals but argued that the proposed penalty should not be applied. Therefore, no payment is due in respect of these animals.