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

I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this matter. It is unfortunate that we are in this situation. I believe the Senator has indicated that he very much values the scheme, and we in the Department certainly do as well. It is innovative and it is part of our climate mitigation effort. We have been in contact with all farmers by text message. We have written to 1,270 - I believe that is the figure - on specific issues on which we require documentation. We will be in contact with all of these farmers as quickly as possible to resolve all of the outstanding issues. It is my ambition to finalise these matters as quickly as possible but we need some documentation from this remaining cohort. As I have said, more than 93% has been paid and we intend to make the balancing payment, the 15%, by the end of June. We would like to resolve these outstanding cases as quickly as possible and I assure the Senator that all of the resources that are required of my Department, both from an IT and administrative side, are being applied to that purpose.