Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 338: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the REP scheme payment and suckler cow grant will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied in County Cork. [18888/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Payment will issue to the person named within ten working days.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 339: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the forestry premium will be awarded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [18889/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand that the relevant payments have now been made to the person in question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 340: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent of payments outstanding in respect of various farm payments, on a county basis as at the 30 April 2010; the reason for the delay; when it is expected that all payments will be brought up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Payments under the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, Suckler Cow Scheme, Upland Sheep Scheme and Annual Forestry Premium are up – to - date. Payments under the on – farm investment schemes are also up – to –date including grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme which are being paid on a phased basis.

The following are details of payments currently outstanding in respect of existing Schemes:

REPS

EU Regulations require that detailed administrative checks be carried out on all REPS applications before any payment can be made. In 2008 and 2009, queries arose in the course of checks on a significant number of applications. The queries arose under a range of issues including area measurement and nutrient management plans. Where queries arose, my Department sought to resolve these issues as quickly as possible so that payments could be made with the minimum of delay. In many cases, however, it was necessary for officials to contact farmers directly about their applications, and a significant number of farm plans had to be sent back to applicants to be amended in line with the terms of the scheme. Amended plans are being processed for payment without delay.

The payments outstanding under this scheme are outlined on a county basis as follows:

Organic Farming Scheme

In relation to the Organic Farming Scheme 329 applications have been approved to date for payment of the first phase of 75% in respect of 2009. Out of these, payment has been authorised and is due to issue shortly in respect of 214 applications. The remaining applications approved for the 75% payment in respect of 2009 are expected to be processed by the end of May 2010. Payment of the second phase of 25% in respect of 2009 has not yet been approved because not all participants have submitted evidence of their farming activity in 2009, which is necessary before these payments can be cleared. It is not possible to provide details by county.

Scheme of Installation Aid

It is not possible to compile a list of payments outstanding under this scheme at short notice and details will issue separately to the Deputy.

Bank Account Details

Some 164 farmers have not received scheme payments due to them from my Department as they have not yet supplied the necessary bank account details required to issue their payments electronically. This payment method is mandatory under EU Commission requirements since October 2008 and all of the affected farmers have been written to in relation to this matter.