Written answers

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Department of Agriculture and Food

Grant Payments

6:00 am

Photo of Joanna TuffyJoanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers paid for REPS 4 on a county basis. [3889/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The first payments for the 2009 scheme year issued on 18 December 2009, and payments have continued to issue in the meantime. To date, 9,823 REPS 4 participants have been paid in full. A further 4,508 have received the first phase of 75% of their payments and are due to receive the balance shortly. Payments will issue this week to approximately 1,300 participants. My Department continues to process payments as a matter of priority with a view to completing all payments due as quickly as possible and, in this context, may be in contact directly with participants to resolve queries arising

25/01/2010
CountyREPS 4 applicants 2007 2008 and 2009Payments for 2009 scheme year
Carlow302176
Cavan1,099462
Clare1,3321,002
Cork3,2161,015
Donegal1,8971,381
Dublin5118
Galway2,7531,279
Kerry2,039476
Kildare374267
Kilkenny830425
Laois761496
Leitrim879570
Limerick1,345738
Longford680410
Louth21788
Mayo2,6951,055
Meath561181
Monaghan893390
Offaly704287
Roscommon1,395871
Sligo917544
Tipperary Nth855534
Tipperary Sth1,004539
Waterford671133
Westmeath709400
Wexford800499
Wicklow40795
Totals29,38614,331

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if farmers will be eligible to apply for the EU Solidarity Fund; and if so, the number of applications received from farmers to date in 2010. [3880/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Mindful of the hardship and distress caused by the recent widespread flooding, on 27 November 2009 I announced the introduction of the Fodder Aid Scheme, targeted directly at those farmers who encountered damage to fodder in the affected areas. While I was very anxious that the funding reach the affected farmers as quickly as possible, it was essential that farmers demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and to what extent. To this end, therefore, it was necessary that each claim be verified by an on-the-spot inspection.

I had initially set the closing date for receipt of applications as 11 December, but subsequently extended it by one week. Immediately applications began to be received by my Department, the necessary inspections were begun, following which the applications were further processed for payment. I am pleased to say that payments commenced issuing on 18 December and, to date, payments worth €504,074 have issued to 237 applicants. Payments continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible.

I am aware that due to the recent severe frost conditions a proportion of the total national area of potatoes remained unharvested at the end of 2009. The very severe frost conditions have resulted in losses to potatoes and other crops. The extent of losses is difficult to quantify at this stage. It would be influenced by the nature of the crop, its location and the extent to which it was exposed.

I have received representations on behalf of growers in relation to the losses incurred and the matter is currently being considered by officials in my Department.

Photo of Michael D HigginsMichael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the fodder aid scheme to losses associated with the recent very cold weather. [3865/10]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Mindful of the hardship and distress caused by the recent widespread flooding, on 27 November 2009 I announced the introduction of the fodder aid scheme, targeted directly at those farmers who encountered damage to fodder in the affected areas. While I was very anxious that the funding reach the affected farmers as quickly as possible, it was essential that farmers demonstrate that their fodder was damaged and to what extent. To this end, therefore, it was necessary that each claim be verified by an on-the-spot inspection.

I had initially set the closing date for receipt of applications as 11 December, but subsequently extended it by one week. Immediately applications began to be received by my Department, the necessary inspections were begun, following which the applications were further processed for payment. I am pleased to say that payments commenced issuing on 18 December and, to date, payments worth €504,074 have issued to 237 applicants. Payments continue to issue as individual cases are confirmed eligible.

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