Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Over the past number of weeks all of us have been lobbied by farming organisations and individual farmers regarding outstanding payments in respect of GLAS, the AEOS, organic farming schemes, the knowledge transfer programme and TAMS. The figures in the Irish Farmers' Journalthis week show that 2,729 farmers are owed approximately €3,500 in GLAS payments on average. In the AEOS schemes, 1,166 farmers are owed approximately €3,141 on average. In the organic farming scheme, 326 farmers are owed between €6,000 and €8,000 on average.

I understand 4,222 farmers are now waiting for payments under those three schemes. Many have spent thousands of euro to meet the requirements of the schemes. They have planted hedges and sowed crops to achieve environmental targets set down and to adhere to various scheme rules. The situation is causing serious cash flow difficulties to the farmers concerned.

The Minister of State has to accept that those in receipt of GLAS, AEOS and organic farm payments are at the low end of the income scale of farming in general. The payments are paramount for their survival.

On top of that, many farmers borrowed heavily on the understanding that they had been approved for TAMS. In some case they have borrowed €30,000, €40,000, €50,000 or €60,000. They are awaiting payments. Reasons as to why payments have not been forthcoming have been put down to computer chaos and IT worries within the Department. This is unacceptable. As I said, farmers who have invested in schemes , including TAMS, have done so in good faith. They have lived up to their responsibilities within the various schemes. Their survival depends on their being paid speedily.

I do not think any other sector, such as teachers, gardaí or those in the trade union movement, would accept being treated like that. The excuse the Department is hiding behind, that is, IT or computer chaos, is not acceptable. Investment in the IT sector has changed the focus of the basic payment scheme and has been a fantastic success.

When will farmers be paid? Will the 4,222 affected by the three schemes I mentioned be paid? I do not have figures for TAMS, but I understand a substantial number of people have payments outstanding. When will they get their payments?

I am quite sure that backbenchers will insist that these payments are long overdue. People who borrowed money in order to live up to their requirements find themselves paying interest of perhaps 9% for personal loans for a considerable number of months with no certainty regarding their payments. Can the Minister of State enlighten us in that regard? I ask him to give solace to people who are waiting for payments.

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