Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers who applied for compensatory area based payments to his Department in 2007 and 2008; the number of farmers in these years who applied for payment on holdings in excess of 34 hectares; the anticipated savings by his Department for 2009 arising from the introduction of a maximum hectarage limit of 34 hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35782/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 540: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of reduction in disadvantaged area payments arising from the Budget 2009 announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35784/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 540 together.

The total number of applications received under the 2007 and 2008 Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was 106,427 and 104,783 respectively. The number of farmers, who claimed in excess of 34 eligible hectares under the 2007 Scheme, was 35,162 and the amount paid on areas in excess of that limit was €28.4 million. The final figures for the 2008 Scheme are not available as the processing of applications under that Scheme is ongoing.