Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am closely monitoring the situation. I want as many farmers as possible to avail of this. Not enough farmers are spreading lime. It used to be done far more and it needs to be done far more in future. It will help to ensure farmers have more profitability for the work they carry out. That is why, this year, I put in place for the first time a lime scheme. It was great to see the uptake, with almost 40,000 farmers applying for it. I want to make sure as many of them as possible follow through in that regard and do it. The more farmers we can get spreading lime this year, the more will see the benefit of it and continue that practice into the future. I have delivered a significant amount of flexibility in respect of the scheme and I encourage farmers to push on in terms of making their purchases and uploading their receipts by 31 October. I take on board the Deputy's comments and am closely monitoring the situation but I have to work within what is possible with regard to making sure we get those payments to farmers this year. We are running into a very short timeframe now and we have given flexibility. I am closely monitoring the situation.

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