Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that queries in relation to the disadvantaged area payment and single payments schemes are only raised with farmers after the date of commencement of payments under these schemes; the reason for the delay in dealing with queries and issuing payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46346/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was 15 May 2012, with late applications accepted, as provided for under the governing EU Regulations, for a further 25 calendar-day period, up to 9 June. Following initial processing of applications, query letters commenced issuing to applicants as early as 28 June and have continued to issue as necessary. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced issuing, on schedule, on 26 September and, to date, €176.4 million has issued to 81,193 applicants. The 50% advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme commenced issuing on 16 October, the earliest possible date, it being the first day of the new EU Financial Year. To date, payments worth €557.2 million have issued to 111,624 applicants.