Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action being taken to speed up the delays experienced by farmers awaiting agri-environment options scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28761/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Once all checks are successfully completed for an application, my Department then pays each case as soon as possible. This process is now well advanced. Payments in respect of 2010 have commenced and outstanding cases will be paid, or the applicant notified of any query by the end of the month. Payments in respect of 2011 will commence in December.

I am well aware of the financial pressures on many farm families and of the importance of grant and scheme payments to their incomes and cash-flow. I have given the highest priority to the processing and payment of outstanding Agri Environment Options Scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.