Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if 1999 cattle headage will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [25065/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named was refused grants under the 1999 cattle headage scheme on the grounds that he had failed to comply with the provisions of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966. He appealed this decision through the headage and premia appeals unit of my Department and the original decision was upheld. He subsequently requested an oral hearing with the appeals unit following which the original decision to withhold cattle headage grants was again upheld. The person named then referred the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman but I understand that that office has not issued findings to date.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo does not meet the conditions for income supplement or hardship grant schemes. [25074/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There are specific eligibility conditions attaching to the payment of income supplement under the TB and brucellosis eradication schemes. In particular, income supplement is payable when more than 10% of the herd is removed as reactors and where depopulation of the herd is not the chosen veterinary option. The person concerned did not qualify for income supplement as only one animal out of 52 was removed. The hardship grant scheme is aimed at assisting eligible owners-keepers with a restricted holding where animals are retained and fed during periods of restriction. The eligibility period is between 1 November and 30 April each year. The person concerned had his first reactor re-test completed on 4 June 2004. He had a further reactor re-test on 7 August 2004 and his herd was de-restricted on 20 August 2004. Since his period of restriction was outside of the eligibility period, he is not eligible for this grant.