John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will pay out Ireland's proportion of the €300 million EU dairy fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3689/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The EU dairy fund was part of a package of measures agreed at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers last October. The Commission made available a fund of €300 million to support dairy farmers across the EU who were severely affected by the fall in prices. Each Member State's share was calculated based on their milk production in the 2008/2009 year within national quotas, and Ireland received €11.5 million. Member States must make the payments by the end of June 2010, and are required to notify the Commission of the method of allocation.

I have decided to allocate Ireland's share of the money on a flat-rate basis to dairy farmers active in the 2008/2009 year. I made this decision after consulting with the dairy organisations, and it is seen as a fair and reasonable mechanism for determining the allocation to each individual. The payment will be made to eligible farmers using the Single Payment system of my Department. In order to ensure that dairy farmers receive the support as soon as possible, producers will not be required to submit an application. Eligible cases will be identified on the Department's database and payment will issue to them accordingly. Arrangements are being made to facilitate this and payment will be made as soon as possible.