Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not being awarded their reactor grants; his views on part payment of the grant presently to alleviate financial difficulty and to facilitate the production of a tax clearance certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39662/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The herd of the person concerned was restricted on 22 May 2008. To date 24 animals have been removed as reactors and compensation amounting to approximately €30,000 is due under the On Farm Market compensation scheme. In addition, the person concerned may also be eligible for payment under the Income Supplement and Hardship Grant Schemes.

Under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme herdowners are required to provide a current tax clearance certificate where payments being made under the scheme are likely to exceed €10,000 in a 12-month period. This requirement, which is in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines, is set out in the "Important Information for Farmers" document, which was provided to the person concerned at the time of restriction in May. A letter requesting a Tax Clearance Certificate issued to the person concerned on the 11 September 2008 and this was confirmed in further discussion with the person on 30 October. As it is not the practice to issue part-payments where it is established that a tax clearance certificate is required, payments due in this case can only be processed on receipt of the required documents and will be paid at that time subject to all related issues being in order. I am satisfied that the policy is clearly stated in the information booklet issued to farmers at the time of first restriction.