Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payments under the grassland sheep scheme will commence and the position regarding this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1908/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Earlier this year I launched the three-year, €54 million Grassland Sheep Scheme, availing of the unused Single Payment funds. During the CAP Health Check negotiations, I had as one of my high priorities getting access to these CAP funds and, immediately it became clear this had been achieved, I identified the sheep sector as one that was vulnerable and in need of specific supports. I am confident that this Scheme, which focuses on those flocks with breeding ewes, will maintain the breeding flock and will act as a real incentive to farmers anxious to maintain their production levels, which are essential for the future of a viable sheep industry in this country.

The supply of lambs is a key and fundamental element underpinning the sheep and lamb processing industry. This is a hugely valuable export-orientated part of the Irish agri-food sector, supplying a high-value product to consumer markets throughout Europe. The industry is worth around €250 million to the Irish economy and over two thirds of the product is exported. Irish sheep farmers are facing significant production and demand pressures at present, though Ireland is not alone in this regard. To maintain a viable industry, we must arrest the decline in reducing flock numbers, income pressures and producers leaving the sector. I believe that this Grassland Sheep Scheme will achieve these aims and will provide a much needed and very valuable income support to an important and vulnerable sector.

While it had been my intention that payments under the Scheme would commence in early December, as the EU Commission raised some technical questions regarding payments to sheep farmers under EU Pillar 1 and Pillar 11 Schemes, including the Grassland Sheep Scheme, it has not yet been possible to do so. My officials have responded in detail to the Commission and there are ongoing discussions between both parties. I am seeking an early conclusion to these discussions, with the intention of payments under the Scheme issuing as soon as possible thereafter.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the remaining portion of the single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1909/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2010. Payments under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme commenced nationally on 18 October 2010.

The person named submitted an application with a land parcel requiring re-digitisation. My Department has now completed this re-digitisation process. A final balancing payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue to the applicant shortly.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payments and REP scheme will issue in full to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will expedite the matter [1917/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named (Kilkenny herd-owner) on 20 April 2010. During processing of the application, one land parcel was found to be dual-claimed with another Scheme applicant and, following correspondence, the person named confirmed that he was not entitled to declare this parcel. Consequently, the parcel was rejected and the appropriate reduction penalty applied, as per the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. The balancing payment, which issued on 1 December, was calculated on this basis.

An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the named Tipperary herd-owner on 18 April 2010. This application has been recently cleared and payment will issue in the coming days.

A REPS 4 payment will issue to the persons named within the coming ten days.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the circumstances relative to the claim for forest environment protection scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be considered; if he will resolve the issues which relate to their REP scheme application; if he will expedite a resolution based on their letter of appeal dated 26 November 2010 which outlines the fact that during the course of their application for REP scheme the scheme was discontinued which thereafter affected their FEPS application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1954/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An appeal dated 26th November 2010 in respect of the persons concerned was received in my Department and all the circumstances relative to the claim were carefully considered. The outcome of this appeal was outlined in a letter issued by me to Deputy McGuinness on 16th December 2010.

In so far as no application for membership of REPS 4 was received by my Department from the people in question, there are no outstanding issues to be resolved in relation to a REPS application.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the balance of single farm payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be paid immediately in view of the urgency of their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1967/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 4 May 2010. The 50% advance payment, which issued on 18 October and the further 30% payment, which issued on 1 December, were on the basis of those parcels cleared for payment at that stage, as a number of other land parcels listed on the application of the person named required re-digitisation. This process was subsequently completed in early December, thereby allowing the remaining payment due to issue on 10 December 2010.