Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that 75% of the fodder aid put in place last spring, which was a very difficult one for farmers, has been approved. This is welcome because many of the co-operatives and marts were waiting for it and in dire straits. Is it possible to have a county-by-county breakdown of the disadvantaged area payments? We are receiving many calls from farmers who have not received their payments. The money was due the week of the national ploughing championships which were held a couple of weeks ago. Many farmers are still waiting and we are receiving figures suggesting the payout rate is very low. May we have a breakdown on the payouts? If farmers do not receive the disadvantaged area payment, they are not entitled to receive the single farm payment which is due to be paid on 16 October. It is very important that we have the disadvantaged area payment backlog sorted such that the single farm payment can flow after it.