Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The scheme opened for applications in February. As we approach the third week of the month, how many applications have been received? Does the Minister accept that an applicant who receives the full payment of €5,000 will receive a payment of only €1,250 in October provided all the criteria have been met? Most of the payment will be needed to pay the planner, which means that farmers will not have any income in the months leading up to Christmas? Does the Minister accept that that is the case? Could the payment be increased? For example, could a double payment or a payment for six months be made to ensure farmers would have some money in their pockets? Many farmers who previously received payments under the rural environment protection scheme, REPS, have not received any payment for the past 12 months. As the Minister will be aware, small and marginal farmers are dependent on these schemes.

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