Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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When I originally submitted this matter for consideration to be raised on the Adjournment, it related to the reason for the delay in the payment of REPs and payments - namely, the payment of the ewe premium of €10 per head to sheep farmers, disadvantaged areas scheme payments and single farm payments - relating to other schemes to farmers in County Kerry. Yet again, Kerry has emerged at the top of the list as the county which has experienced the most delays when it comes to farmers receiving their payments. Unfortunately, farmers in Kerry are suffering because, unlike their counterparts elsewhere, they have not received their payments. I do not know what is the reason for this but perhaps the Minister of State is in a position to shed light on the matter.

I recently quizzed the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of the premium of €10 that was to be paid in respect of each ewe in the country. Press releases were issued by the Minister and his Department to the effect that this premium was to be paid prior to Christmas. However, it has not been paid and to the best of my knowledge - having discussed the matter with the Minister - will not be paid in the near future. I understand there is a problem with Europe in respect of this matter and payment has been delayed. This is despite the fact that the Minister issued press releases heralding the premium's imminent payment.

The most popular reason provided in respect of the non-payment of disadvantaged areas scheme payments to farmers in my area is that there was a need to digitise the maps. Most farmers have discovered that while they may own 50 hectares, when the maps were digitised this no longer proved to be the case and they are now listed as possessing fewer than 50 hectares. I do not know how this happened but it is also the case when it comes to forestry.

In the context of the single farm payment, I am aware of a case where a farm was let to a nephew who is a minor and whose mother is looking after the property. The boy's father is also a farmer and neither has received a payment because only one single farm payment could be issued. This is despite the fact that the family in question has two herd numbers.

What is happening is quite frustrating. I have been obliged to inform farmers in Kerry that it is obvious that the Government and the Department are holding back money and that there will be a big slush fund from which moneys can be disbursed a couple of weeks prior to the general election. That is not much good to farmers who have bills to pay. Having been in business, I am aware that if one promises to pay a creditor on Monday one should do so and one should not delay payment until the following Monday. When farmers are informed that they will be paid on a certain date and then the money does not arrive, matters are thrown into complete confusion. Creameries and suppliers require payment. However, if farmers do not receive their payments, the circle cannot be completed.

In recent times I have received communications from the Department in respect of the representations I make on behalf of constituents to the effect that it will contact these constituents directly. This is a new departure. Perhaps the Department has decided to contact applicants directly in the run-up to the election. In many cases, however, it has not followed through on its promise to contact people. Why is the Department dealing directly with the farmers on whose behalf I am making representations? I am doing my best to represent these individuals but I am being removed from the equation.

It is disappointing that Kerry is top of the list when it comes to delayed payments. I hope that the position in this regard will be rectified as soon as possible.

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I have been asked by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, to clarify the position regarding payments to farmers in County Kerry under the rural environment protection scheme, REPS. I thank Deputy Tom Sheahan for raising this matter on the Adjournment.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, REPS is an agri-environment measure under the rural development programme 2007 to 2013. It is designed to encourage farmers to go beyond basic good farming practice and to farm in a way that benefits the landscape, biodiversity and water quality. Every member state must have an agri-environment measure and REPS is co-funded by the EU at the rate of 55%. The scheme has proven to be very popular with Irish farmers and confirms their commitment to farming to the highest environmental standards. This commitment fits very comfortably with the vision of smart green growth as set out in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Food Harvest 2020 strategy statement. It is worth noting that, at its height, the scheme included some 60,000 farmers. This represents approximately half the active farmers in the country.