Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the names of pork processors in County Galway that received compensation through his Department from the contamination of pig feed by dioxin in 2008 and 2009; the amount in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2376/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To date payments amounting to a total of €1.4m have been paid to applicants from County Galway under the Pigmeat Recall Scheme. A listing of the beneficiaries concerned is being supplied separately to the Deputy. Some claims are still being processed and therefore it is not yet possible to provide a final list of the individual sums involved.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the loss to County Galway farmers as a result of his decision in 2008 and 2009 to reduce and cut in farm income support schemes and farm development schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2377/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In view of the prevailing economic situation cuts had to be made in all sectors in the 2008 Budget and my Department was not immune from these cuts. However, these cutbacks were kept to a minimum in so far as my Department was concerned and every effort has been made to minimize their impact on farmers since. The Deputy will be aware of the reasons for the reduction in the budget for the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas and Suckler Welfare Schemes, notwithstanding which total expenditure in 2009 by my Department amounted to over €3.2 billion.

In relation to the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme the necessary savings were achieved by reducing the maximum area limit to 34 hectares. However, almost two-thirds of Disadvantaged Areas Scheme beneficiaries were not affected by this reduction. The total value of payments made under this Scheme to Galway herd owners in 2008 was €29.35 million, while payments made, to date, in respect of the 2009 Scheme amount to €25.77 million. Payments are ongoing in respect of the 2009 Scheme as outstanding applications are processed to conclusion.

In excess of €6m has been paid to Galway herd-owners for animals registered during 2008 under the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Almost 100,000 animals were registered under this scheme during that year. No payments have been made to date in respect of animals registered in 2009. However, despite the reduction in the amount paid per animal under the Scheme, in excess of 90,000 animals born during 2009 have been registered to date, which demonstrates that the Scheme is still considered by the applicants to be very worthwhile.

Furthermore, the Deputy will also recall my decision to introduce the Uplands Sheep Payment in 2009, in recognition of the need for specific support for this sector; payments under the UPS to Galway herd owners amount to €0.295 million, with payments continuing to issue on an ongoing basis.

In the case of farm development schemes, no reductions in aid took place in either 2008 or 2009. The Sow Housing (Animal Welfare) Scheme was closed for new applications in April 2008 as the applications received had reached the level of funding allocated to the Scheme by the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme. In addition, a decision was taken in February 2009 to defer the remaining grant payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on the basis of 40 per cent in 2009 as claims are approved, with the remaining instalments of 40 per cent and 20 per cent being paid in 2010 and 2011 respectively. I also announced at that time that an ex gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount would be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants were partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.