Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I understand from where the Deputy is coming. In his part of the country there is a high number of farmers who are reliant on REPS, AEOS, disadvantaged area payments and less favoured area, LFA, payments. The income from these schemes, which farmers rely on, is hugely important to rural communities, particularly in the part of County Galway the Deputy represents so well.

We are conscious of farmers' concerns. We saw their frustrations boil over this week, which was unfortunate. I understand the frustrations of the farming community. We are moving through the applications as quickly as we can. No effort is being spared. The proof of this is where we stand this year compared to where we stood last year in terms of overall payments. With regard to disadvantaged area payments, we are between €45 million and €50 million ahead of where we were last year. In terms of single farm payment, by the end of next week we will be more than €40 million ahead of where we were last year.

We have particular issues with regard to AEOS relating to the land parcel identification system. This takes paper maps which are sent to the Department, digitises them and puts them onto a computer so that the Department will have everyone's land parcels on computer and can process future payments more quickly. That is the purpose of digitising this information. We also need to digitise information so that we can directly compare maps that have been used for single farm payment with those used for AEOS. A huge number of maps have not matched up, so that field parcels do not look the same for single farm payments and AEOS payments. That is not because of a deliberate attempt to con the system. It is simply that the way maps were marked has caused conflicting information. This must be clarified because it will be audited. The last thing I want is for money that is currently available for AEOS payments to be reduced by the Commission because we are not seen to be doing our job efficiently.

The implementation of AEOS is particularly complex. We are in the first year of getting payments out. There have been teething problems and it has caused much frustration in the Department. The people who are in charge of resolving those issues are working incredibly hard to do that. I speak to them directly on a regular basis in an effort to be of assistance.

I assure farmers and those who represent them, as well as the Deputy, that my Department and I are well aware of the points he makes today. We are also keeping farming bodies aware of progress and stumbling blocks on a regular basis. There is not a lack of information or communication in this regard.

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