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

My Department administers a wide range of schemes that provide vital support to underpin the continued sustainability and growth of the agrifood sector. I am very aware of the importance of these supports for farmers and, accordingly, the issuing of payments under these schemes is a matter of priority for my Department. The main schemes are delivered under the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, and each year approximately €1.5 billion issues under these schemes. My Department has a strong record in the efficient delivery of these payments, as evidenced by the fact that we perform very favourably compared to other EU member states in terms of both the dates on which payments are delivered and our ability to maximise the drawdown of available EU funding.

With regard to individual schemes, the main direct payment scheme is the basic payment scheme, BPS. Advance payments are due to commence again this year on 16 October, which is the first date permissible under the EU regulations. In 2016, advance payments also commenced on 16 October, with €714 million issuing to 109,000 farmers on that date. To date under the 2016 BPS, over €1.18 billion has been issued to over 124,000 farmers. The areas of natural constraint scheme commenced payment on schedule again this year in the week beginning 18 September, and to date over €168 million has issued to over 78,000 farmers. This represents a significant increase over the payment figures at this stage last year.

The current position regarding green low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, payments for 2015 is there are a small number of GLAS 1 farmers representing 0.5% of all GLAS 1 participants where payment is outstanding. With regard to 2016 advance payments to GLAS 1 and 2 participants, payments have issued in over 98% of cases. To date this year, we have paid over €147 million to GLAS participants.

The online payment claim system for the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS II, opened in July 2016. Payments for approved investments continue to issue on an ongoing basis with 2,300 payment claims received and 1,680 cases paid. Payments totalling over €23.65 million have issued to date and continue to issue at an average rate of over €1 million per week.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

I urge all farmers who have completed TAMS-approved works to submit their payment claims to the online system as soon as possible so that payments can issue.

With the organic farming scheme, OFS, our target in the Rural Development Programme was to attract some 16,000 ha of new land into production and to support 46,000 ha of converted land. We have more than achieved these targets and because of the structures we are putting in place, we hope to secure this land under organic contract for at least the next five years. For the first time, this allows us to plan ahead with confidence in terms of an organic food market. OFS payments in 2015 and 2016 amounted to €8 million each year. Projected expenditure for 2017 is €13 million and the average payment is approximately €6,500. We are well advanced towards preparations for the 2016 balancing payments, which I expect will commence in October.

In addition to these existing schemes, the new sheep welfare scheme and the knowledge transfer programme are due to issue their first payments since they were introduced last year. In both cases, payments will commence issuing in the coming weeks. With all these EU-funded schemes, it is important to note that EU regulations stipulate payments can only issue when the required validation checks have been carried out and passed. I am very anxious to ensure my Department continues to issue these important payments to farmers in the most efficient and timely manner possible, and this remains a key priority for me.

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