49 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total value of cattle headage and premia payments due to farmers in 1996; the proportion of such payments unpaid on 3 December 1996; the number of farmers awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23375/96]

The current estimated total value of the various headage and premia grants payable to farmers in 1996 under 1996 and previous years' schemes is about £770 million. Of this amount over £743 million has been paid out to date. It is expected that a further £12 million will be paid before the end of the year leaving less than 2 per cent of overall grants unpaid. These unpaid cases involve problems which are unlikely to be resolved between now and the end of December.

Before payment can issue to any applicant under headage and premium schemes, other than the ewe premium and slaughter premium schemes and applicants with under 15 livestock units, a valid area aid application must be submitted. As part of the integrated administration and control system, required by the EU, Ireland was committed to developing a new area aid related land parcel identification system, LPIS, in 1996.

Given the increased levels of checks and controls associated with the new system, it has been a major achievement to secure the highest level of payments ever recorded at this time of year under the various headage and premium schemes.