Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which all those previously involved in sugar beet growing for sugar production purposes have been compensated following the closure of sugar production here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4194/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The total package negotiated in the context of the 2006 reform of the EU sugar regime, as modified in 2007, was worth about €353m to Ireland. All elements of the package have now been implemented.

The first element of the package was the compensation for the reduction in the minimum price of beet. This has been incorporated in the Single Payment with effect from 2006, with an estimated value of €123m to Irish beet growers over seven years.

The second element was the EU restructuring aid which, at the outset, was worth €145m to Ireland but an amending EU regulation in 2007 had the effect of increasing this to €186m. Three parties benefited from this aid: the sugar processor, the former sugar beet growers and the specialized beet machinery contractors. All of this restructuring aid has now been paid in full. The first instalment of €58m was paid to the beneficiaries in June 2007 with further payments of €87m in February 2008 and €41m in June 2008.

The third and final element of the package was the diversification aid worth almost €44m to the former beet growers. It was paid in two equal instalments in September 2007 and March 2008.