Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of year one and year two REPs 4 applicants in County Mayo that have received their payments; and if he will provide comparative figures for the number of applicants who are still waiting on a payment in each of the agricultural, environmental and structures areas. [11110/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive their REP scheme payment. [11111/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a grant will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [11113/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Hardship Grant is aimed at assisting eligible owner/keepers(s) with a TB or Brucellosis restricted holding where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction. The eligibility period for the current scheme is from 1 November 2009 to 30 April 2010.

In order to ensure that all eligible owners/keepers actually receive payment under the scheme, the application form for the Hardship Grant scheme and a Terms and Conditions document is sent by my Department to all potentially eligible owners/keepers. However receipt of this form does not imply eligibility for payment as not all owners/keepers whose holdings are restricted are automatically eligible for the Hardship Grant. The main eligibility conditions are that (i) a full herd re-test has been carried out and (ii) the holding must continue to be restricted following re-test. In addition, where animals (with some specific exceptions) have been moved on to a holding during a restriction period, eligibility for receipt of the hardship grants ceases for the remainder of the restriction period. Payment is also subject to tax clearance requirements. The onus is on owners/keepers to apply for the scheme immediately they consider that they are eligible, based on criteria outlined in the Terms and Conditions document.

Due to industrial action currently being undertaken in my Department, I cannot provide specific details regarding the eligibility status of the person concerned. However, if he contacts his local District Veterinary Office, he will be advised of the position. If the person has been formally notified that he is not eligible for the scheme and he believes that there are specific circumstances which merit further consideration, taking account of the general conditions, he may, under the appeal mechanism in place in my Department, request a formal review of the decision by writing to the Regional Assistant Principal Officer at his local District Veterinary Office.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [11180/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Due to industrial action by staff in my Department, I am not in a position to provide a reply to this question.