Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

As I outlined in previous responses, this particular payment is one of a number that are made by the Department. Some agricultural programmes are funded by the Exchequer, while others are funded by the European Union. In 2009, some €44 million will be provided for the suckler cow welfare scheme, €220 million for the disadvantaged areas scheme, €355 million for the rural environment protection scheme and €1.3 billion in respect of the single payment scheme. They are all very substantial payments. There is also a substantial programme of investment in on-farm facilities. In the partnership programme agreed in 2006, agreement was reached that funding of approximately €350 million would be provided in respect of on-farm investment schemes for the duration——

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