Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the State has an obligation to pay interest repayments on farm waste management loans; if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal as a case in point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22347/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. Payment of the initial 40% to farmers approved for payment will begin this week and will continue as claims are approved over the next few months. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5% of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment. The financial arrangements in respect of any loans taken out by farmers for the purposes of carrying out investments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme are entirely a matter between the individual farmers and financial institutions concerned.