§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were made in respect of the special programme for agriculture and rural development—SPARD—from 22 March 1995 to 24 March 1995; how many have been approved; and of these how many have received payments. [2708]
189W
§ Mr. AncramA total of 5,380 applications were received under the sub-programme for agriculture and rural development on 23 and 24 March 1995; 4,760 have been approved to date and, of these, 610 farmers have received payment of grant.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to expedite outstanding payments in respect of the special programme for agriculture and rural development in respect of applications which were forwarded between 22 March and 24 March.[2706]
§ Mr. AncramClaims for grant based on applications received on 23 or 24 March 1995 have, since 1 April 1996, been held in date order of receipt and will be paid in this order as financial resources permit. Nevertheless, the Department will make a special effort to make early payments in cases where there are exceptional circumstances. The expenditure on the SPARD schemes is monitored on a monthly basis, and if it becomes clear that the funds available are in excess of that required to pay all of the claims based on applications received prior
Neonatal and perinatal death rates Northern Ireland 1992 1993 1994 19951 Neonatal Perinatal Neonatal Perinatal Neonatal Perinatal Neonatal Perinatal Eastern health and social services board 3.8 8.7 3.9 7.3 5.1 10.7 7.6 12.3 Northern health and social services board 3.5 7.6 3.5 9.4 4.6 9.6 4.0 8.5 Southern health and social services board 3.8 8.5 6.2 8.8 3.7 10.0 3.8 8.6 Western health and social services hoard 5.6 7.8 7.5 10.9 2.1 7.1 5.0 11.0 Neonatal rate per 1,000 live births. Perinatal rates per 1,000 live and still-births.
1Provisional.