Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

4:00 pm

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I am not in a position to confirm that payments will continue to be made under the suckler cow welfare scheme. The Government has decided, having regard to the urgent need to address the public finances, to introduce a supplementary budget in the Dáil on 7 April next. Over 53,000 farmers applied for the suckler cow welfare scheme in 2008. The estimated cost of the scheme for that year, at a rate of €80 per cow, is approximately €77 million. As approximately €33 million had been spent by the end of 2008, a further €44 million has been provided in my Department's 2009 Estimate to pay for the remaining calves that were born in 2008. Of the €44 million mentioned, over €14.5 million has already been paid to farmers in 2009. Payments are continuing on a weekly basis as additional animals become eligible and certain application details are clarified with individual applicants. It must be borne in mind that the money being paid to farmers under this scheme is an additional income stream — it was not there before last year. All the funding in question is coming from the Exchequer.

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