Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total number of applications received by the 16 May 2005 deadline under the new single payment scheme; the proportion of farmer numbers this represents; the position regarding farmers who have missed the deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17366/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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By the deadline for the receipt of single payment application forms on 16 May my Department estimates that applicants under this scheme had submitted some 142,000 applications. I initiated a major publicity campaign at national and local level to make farmers aware of the deadline for the receipt of applications. In addition, to facilitate farmers in the completion and submission of their application forms, I established a dedicated helpline and arranged to have the Department's offices around the country open during both weekends prior to the deadline and up to midnight on Monday 16 May. In view of the number of applications received, I am satisfied that the vast majority of farmers submitted their single payment application forms prior to the deadline.

However, farmers who did not submit an application by the deadline, may continue to lodge application forms, subject to a 4% per working day late application penalty, at any office of my Department or use the swift-post envelope to forward it to the single payment unit in Portlaoise by 10 June. I urge farmers who have not yet lodged their application forms to do so immediately at any office of the Department as any farmer who does not submit an application by 10 June will lose their single payment entitlements forever.

If farmers have a query about the application form or any aspect of the single payment scheme, assistance continues to be available from the Department on Lo-call number 1890 200 566.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position regarding the proposed cut by the EU on grant aid for forestry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17323/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The issues here relate to the forestry elements contained in the draft rural development regulation 2007-2013, first published by the European Commission in July 2004 and which is the subject of ongoing negotiations in the Council of Ministers.

Throughout the negotiations so far, the Irish position on the draft regulation in general, including on the specific aspects related to forestry, has been clear. On these forestry aspects I have pointed to the negative impacts that the proposals would have on the sector, particularly those relating to reduced establishment grants, premia and associated premium payments periods. Negotiations on the Commission proposals are continuing within the Agriculture Council and, as they progress, I will press for the best possible outcome for Ireland on the package as a whole, including a satisfactory outcome on forestry issues.