John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 490: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of an application under [i]force majeure[/i] in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and the timeframe for a decision in their case. [6390/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named submitted an application on 29 October 2004 for consideration under the force majeure or exceptional circumstances measure of the single payment scheme in regard to the dairy premium. Having assessed the application, the person named was advised by my Department that the circumstances outlined did not fulfil the force majeure criteria laid down in Article 19 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 795/2004. The person named availed of the opportunity to appeal this decision to the single payment appeals committee. Following consideration of the appeal, the committee upheld the decision of my Department.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 491: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a grant for farm development will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the matter will be expedited. [6391/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named is an applicant for grant aid under the farm waste management scheme. Payment of €11,313.48 will be made by my Department to the person concerned shortly.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 492: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be allocated a single payment entitlement from the 2005 national reserve. [6430/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under category B.

Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and/or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002. Investments can include purchase or long-term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments.

The position is that over 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity.

My Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed when formal letters setting out my Department's decision will be issued.