Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I examined whether there was some way that could be done. However, the ACRES payment is a blend. It comes within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, scheme and is co-funded nationally and with European money. We have to have an audit trail as to how we make those payments. Some 18,000 farmers will receive an 85% payment this month. Two thirds of the farmers in the general scheme will get their 85% advance. I wanted to be able to do it for everyone, but that is not that is not possible. The team is working to try to deliver that as quickly as possible. Because it is a scheme under the CAP, we are required to follow certain processes. We cannot step out of that. If we did, we would not be able to draw down the European funding. I can take a different and more flexible approach in respect of nationally funded schemes. For the liming scheme, for example, which only involves national funding, I am making an advance payment to all those by the end of this year because I have more discretion. With the CAP programme, we have to have it very clearly laid out and administered and auditable so that we actually draw down that funding. Every effort is being made. As I said, we wanted to be able to pay this year. Everybody was working massively hard to try to deliver it in December. Despite all those efforts, however, we have run out of road in terms of getting it done. We will be going into February as regards the co-operation stream measures. Others will continue to be paid in the meantime, however.

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