Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average single farm payment for each of the 26 counties. [32088/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the highest amount and the lowest amount paid to a single farmer in single farm payment. [32089/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.

The following table details the average value of the Single Payment, in respect of the 2007 Scheme, by county:

Also in respect of the 2007 Scheme, the highest payment made was €506,203.37, while the lowest was €0.47.

Payments under the Single Payment Scheme are governed by a number of factors: while payment entitlements were initially calculated by reference to scheme participation of individuals during one or more of the three reference years, farmers were subsequently free to trade entitlements, some farmers obtained additional entitlements from the National Reserve, others forfeited entitlements to the National Reserve because of non-usage, while others were awarded entitlements following the incorporation of the Dairy Premium and compensation granted to sugar beet growers following the EU Reform of the Sugar Sector.