Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Martin Kenny that every effort is being made to clear payments as quickly as possible. The Department has no interest in delaying payments to individual members. As I stated to Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, the number of outstanding applications is somewhat less than 9,000 and the scheme is now open to more than 50,000 farmers. I appreciate that is not the message those who are waiting want to hear. In the round, delays exist that are due to incomplete documentation being furnished and logistical reasons in processing payments. We are working through these issues and committing the resources within the Department to clearing the backlog as quickly as possible.

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