Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will acknowledges that due to disproportionate cuts of 17% on farm schemes in Budget 2012 which was nearly five times the 3.5% cut made across all Government Departments and allied to this a combination of disastrous weather, soaring import costs and falling prices, if he will prioritise the maintenance of funding for farm schemes in Budget 2013. [41703/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am very conscious of the significant problems and pressures that the very heavy rainfall this summer has caused for farmers. I am very conscious that farmers need money in their hands because of the poor summer and because of cash flow problems that some are experiencing at the moment and I am responding to these pressures within the funds available to me.

Last week I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme, AEOS, to new entrants. I am providing €20 million for the AEOS scheme which will open shortly for applications. The scheme will build on the success of both the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and both AEOS 1 and 2 in delivering an annual income to farmers in return for farming to high environmental standards. A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum will apply to individual applicants under the re-opened scheme. As the average payments in the past have been lower than the maximum, I am confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme.

I received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment. This will enable payment to issue immediately following 15 October and will represent the early payment of some €600 million to farmers.

I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the other scheme payments to farmers and I remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. Payments worth some €159 million under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme have been issued since 26th September last. This funding will provide a boost to the rural economy and will benefit all areas of the country. REPS payments in respect of 2011 are up to date. A total of €64 million has been paid out to-date and these payments are continuing on an on-going basis. AEOS payments are well advanced and are being issued as quickly as possible. To date €23 million has been paid. My intention is to ensure that payments in respect of 2012 are made on the earliest possible date.