Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Some €160 million is paid in single farm payments every year and a number of concerns have been raised regarding delays in these payments. In the majority of cases farmers acknowledge they have made mistakes and, if this is the case, the Department of Agriculture and Food should review the form involved to see if simplification of the application is possible. If a large number of mistakes is found payments to farmers across the country will be delayed.

In some instances the Department has made the mistake and this was the case with two of my neighbours in County Wexford. Despite the fact the mistake was not the fault of the farmers involved, they have been told there is no guarantee payment will be received in December. I believe this is very unreasonable.

The forms were returned, as requested, last April via the Teagasc adviser but the Department sent a letter in September saying the forms were not received. I am surprised a system acknowledging receipt of forms from farmers is not in place. The neighbours in question sent the forms again in early October and again received no response. They contacted the office in Portlaoise and were again informed the forms had not been received, however a subsequent phone call confirmed the forms had been found and were with the Department. Clearly a mistake was made by the Department, but these farmers were told they would not receive payment. I ask that the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, investigate this immediately.

The farming community cannot afford such delays in payments and family farm incomes are far lower than the €170,000 the Minister is receiving. This relates not only to farmers' income but to the payment of costs incurred in running their farms. We are all well paid in this House and we sometimes forget there are people who are not paid as well. We need to make amends in this regard and I ask the Minister to investigate this.

I can give the Department the names of the individuals in this case to speed up payments so they will not have to wait until the new year. A significant burden has been placed on the individuals involved because they have outstanding debts they had promised to meet with this payment.

I also ask the Minister for information on the number of single farm payments made in County Wexford and the number not paid to date due to difficulties with the application form or difficulties experienced at Department level. If there is a significant problem with the system it should be examined.

Agriculture is not as important to the economy as it once was but is still important to rural constituencies like County Wexford and the single farm payment forms a significant part of income for the farming community. It is important the Minister ensures there are no delays in receipt of that payment. I can pass on the names of those involved to the Minister and I also ask that she address the other questions I have raised.

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