Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 302: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the title and number of farm aid schemes which have been subsumed into the single farm payment; the number of staff within her Department who worked directly on the administration of each former scheme during the last year of its existence; the number of staff who are employed in administering the single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21612/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Single Payment Scheme, which was introduced on 1 January 2005, replaced the following Schemes: Special Beef Premium (1st Age, 2nd Age and Bull), Suckler Cow Premium, Ewe Premium, Supplementary Ewe Premium (Rural World), Slaughter Premium, Extensification Premium, Arable Aid Scheme and the National Envelope Top-Ups relating to Ewe Premium, Dry Heifer, Calved Heifer and Slaughtered Heifers. Prior to the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme, some 740 of my Department's staff were directly involved in administering the Livestock Premia Schemes and the Arable Aid Scheme. Currently, there are some 520 staff directly involved in the implementation and the administration of the Single Payment Scheme and the various other Direct Payment Schemes, which are still in place. Surplus staff are being redeployed to other Departments as they become available and this process will continue as necessary.

The implementation and the administration of the Single Payment Scheme include the processing and payment of applications. To date, my Department has paid €1.170 billion approximately to almost 127,000 farmers under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme. In addition, the various implementing measures administered by my Department include the processing of applications in respect of the National Reserve, Force Majeure/Exceptional Circumstances, New Entrants, Inheritance/Gift, Consolidation and transfers by way of Private Contract Clause (sale or lease). As part of the on-going implementation programme for 2006, it is necessary to incorporate in the Single Payment Scheme entitlements for the third tranche of the Dairy Premium, amounting to €60 million, to over 23,000 farmers. The Dairy Premium Scheme, which was introduced in 2004, was decoupled with effect from 2005. In addition, the sugar beet compensation arising from the Reform of the Sugar Sector be included in the Single Payment entitlements of approximately 3,800 sugar beet growers in 2006.

As part of the on-going operation of the Scheme it will be necessary for my Department to administer the transfer of entitlements by way of sale, lease, rental agreement, gift or inheritance. To date my Department has to process approximately 5,000 transfers in respect of the 2006 Scheme-Year. It is also necessary to carry out the required number of farm inspections laid down by the relevant EU Regulations in relation to the regulatory requirements in respect of eligibility and Cross Compliance. The staff involved also deal with processing of payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Payments amounting to €234 million have been made to over 101,000 applicants in respect of the 2005 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. These officials also undertake the processing of applications for payment under the Energy and Protein Crops Schemes.