Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The arrangements for payment of grants under the farm waste management scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed, with 40% being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40% will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20% in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex gratia payment not exceeding 3.5% of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose farm waste management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.

The Revised Estimates for the public service will be published following the budgetary adjustments planned for 7 April. Funding for my Department, including the allocation for the farm waste management scheme, is being considered in that context.

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