David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to parliamentary questions of different dates the number of applicants pertaining to national reserve regarding the allocations of entitlements, who have been notified that they have been allocated entitlements to date; the number of applications awaiting decision; when the outstanding applicants can expect a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15815/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Some 17,500 farmers submitted applications to the national reserve but when account is taken of the number of farmers who applied under two or more categories over 23,000 files have to be processed. Following the first tranche of allocations, 4,979 letters have issued to applicants who were successful in their application and 6502 letters have issued to unsuccessful applicants. Processing of applications is continuing and allocations will be made where appropriate over the coming weeks.

Many of the cases remaining to be processed have applied under more than one category. The regulations provide that where an applicant is successful under more than one category he or she can only be given an allocation under the category that is most beneficial. In addition, some 3,500 of the remaining applicants to the national reserve have already benefited under other force majeure or new entrant measures during the reference period. The national reserve applications from these farmers are still being assessed to establish whether the provisions of its regulations which preclude double benefit or accumulation in certain circumstances are appropriate.