109 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry when a decision will be made regarding an appeal on a decision to refuse payment of a 1996 cattle headage premium to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [4728/97]

An appeal was received in the headage and premia appeals unit on 29 January 1997. The matter is being investigated.

The investigation will be completed as soon as possible and the herdowner will be notified of the outcome.

110 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the steps, if any, he will take to approve the 22 month special beef premium in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in view of the fact that there was enough land available as communicated to his Department and there was not a problem with his stocking density; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/97]

Payments under the 1996 suckler cow and beef premium schemes are limited by the application of a stocking density of two livestock units per hectare. Stocking density is calculated on the basis of the forage area available to an applicant, the number of dairy cows needed to produce the milk quota, if any, allocated to the applicant and the number of livestock units represented by the number of ewes, male animals and suckler cows for which a premium application has been submitted in the calendar year.

In this case the herdowner declared a forage area of 10.78 hectares and no milk quota. This entitles the herdowner to payment on up to 21.56 livestock units. Advance payments of 80 per cent have issued in respect of 10.2 livestock units under the beef premium scheme and 11.36 livestock units under the suckler cow premium scheme. Payment of the remaining 20 per cent balance is expected to issue shortly.

111 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will have arrangements made to increase the level of forestry premia payments; and if he will tilt the level of payments in favour of individual farmers. [4787/97]

As indicated in Partnership 2000, the Government, in the context of a European Commission review of forestry incentives, will aim to improve the level of premium payments to farmers. As heretofore, the system of premium payments will continue to be weighted in favour of farmers.