Written answers

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Department of Agriculture and Food

Grant Payments

9:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will publish the revised costings for farm buildings; if she will ensure that such costings are based on the date of construction of the farm building rather than the date that the grant was approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8317/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The review of the Standard Costings used in the calculation of grants under my Department's on-farm investment schemes is currently being considered within my Department. By virtue of the conditions of these schemes, the Standard Costings applicable on the date of approval to proceed with the investment works are used in the calculation of the grants concerned. I have no plans to change this procedure.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will clarify the payment arrangement to apply to REP scheme four contracts commencing in 2008; the number of applicants affected by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8318/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Payments to farmers in REPS 4 are governed by a new Commission Regulation which reflects the Commission's objective of integrating and harmonising the operation of the various farm payment schemes including the Single Payment Scheme, REPS and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Inevitably, for all farmers with contracts in REPS 4 starting on or after 1 January this year, the new rules will result in some changes from the previous payment pattern. My officials are in detailed technical discussions with the Commission services and both sides are committed to introducing any new arrangements in a way that will alleviate the impact of these changes on farmers. I expect the matter to be clarified shortly.

Photo of Paul Connaughton  SnrPaul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been awarded their full single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8355/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As previously indicated in a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 407 on 12th February 2008, an application was received under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme year requesting the transfer of 17.88 standard entitlements by way of lease from the second person named to the first person named. This application was successfully processed and full payment issued on foot of the leased entitlements to the first person named for the Scheme years 2005 and 2006.

The lease in question had an expiry date of 27 April 2007 and the entitlements in question automatically reverted to the second person named on that date. Consequently they were not available to the first person named for the 2007 Scheme year.

In response to contact from an official from my Department, a 2007 Transfer of Entitlements application has been received on 14th February 2008. As essential elements of this form were unfilled, it has been returned to the applicants for completion. It will be processed even though the closing date for submission of 2007 Transfer of Entitlement application forms was 15th May 2007. The persons named will be notified in writing on completion of processing of the Transfer application form.

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position is in relation to the suckler herd scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8523/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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To be eligible to participate in the Scheme, a farmer shall

Be aged 18 years or over.

Be farming a holding within the State, which is declared under the EU Single Payment Scheme for every year of his/her participation in the Suckler Scheme.

Undertake to implement all the relevant measures of the scheme.

Record all details of each undertaking in each measure through the Animal Events SystemThere is no upper age limit for the Scheme. The lower age limit of 18 years is common to all the direct payment schemes and is in line with the requirements for getting a herd number.

One of the measures in this Scheme is the requirement to attend a training course before the end of year 2. There is an exemption for persons who are under 35 and who hold at least a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) level 6 Agricultural Qualification or higher. This exemption is common to a number of Department schemes and is justified on the basis that young trained farmers under 35 are regarded as having been sufficiently trained in the latest technology of breed improvement and best practice in animal welfare and animal handling.

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