Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 418: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of persons nationally still awaiting their disadvantaged area payment; the number of persons in north Tipperary and south Offaly still awaiting this payment; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28734/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Given that payments under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme only commenced on 22 September and, to date, payments worth in excess of €169 million have issued to 77,559 farmers nationally, representing 76% of those who applied, it can readily be seen that there are no delays in the issuing of these payments. Specifically with regard to Offaly and Tipperary, the details are as follows:

Payments continue to issue, on a twice-weekly basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible for payment. It should be borne in mind that the number of applicants under the Scheme is determined by the classification of the land declared; however, as there are annually some 5,000 applicants with eligible land who do not satisfy the minimum stocking density requirement (0.15 livestock units per forage hectare), the payable number, both nationally and per county, will inevitably ultimately be somewhat lower than the figures for number of applicants quoted above.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree of compliance of his Department in respect of payment of the various subsidies to farmers, by subsidy type in cases where they are substantially at variance with timelines that have previously been agreed, the measures if any he will take to remedy this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28748/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Farmers Charter Action Plan 2009 - 2011 was agreed following discussions with the farming organisations. The Charter sets out specific delivery targets to our farmer customers and covers the following services:

Single Payment Scheme;

Disadvantaged Areas Compensatory Allowance Scheme;

Suckler Welfare Scheme;

Rural Environment Protection Scheme;

Early Retirement/Young Farmers Installation Scheme

On Farm Investment Schemes;

Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes;

Animal Health Schemes.

The Charter continues our commitment to the 12 Quality Customer Service principles set out in our Customer Service Action Plan and Customer Charter. Progress under the Charter is monitored by a review committee under an independent chairman. This committee is composed of representatives of farm organisations and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff.

The most recent figures date from 30 June 2011 where over 90% of payments had been made within the prescribed payment deadlines set out in the Farmers Charter. The next meeting of this Committee will be held on 10 November when the payment deadlines will be discussed again.