Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify his intentions with regard to unused CAP funds; the way such funds will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I announced earlier this year that unused funds available in 2009 from the Single Farm Payment National Reserve would be paid to hill sheep farmers in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. The amount in question is approximately €7 million in 2009.

Under the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP, Ireland will have access to additional funds of the order of €25 million annually from unspent CAP funds from 2010. In accordance with the requirements of the regulation these funds can be used to address specific economic disadvantages affecting farmers in the dairy, beef and veal, sheep and goat and rice sectors. My main priority in allocating these funds is to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture.

Having consulted widely with all stakeholders I am currently carefully examining all proposals received in respect of 2010 onwards and I hope to make an announcement in relation to the use of these funds in the coming weeks once the Commission has adopted its detailed rules.