Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will commence under the single payment scheme in 2013; the estimated number of farmers that will be paid in the first week of payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39528/13]

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

The timing of the Single Farm Payment is of critical importance to farmers and the wider rural economy, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.6 billion that is paid out annually in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of farmers in Ireland; in many cases it is used to subsidise the running costs of the farming enterprise and is, therefore, greater than the net farm income in those cases.

In the case of the Single Farm Payment, the earliest payment date under the governing EU rules is 1 December. However, earlier this year, in recognition of the difficult financial situation faced by many farmers, I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 16 October. My approach to the Commissioner had been prompted by the protracted unseasonable weather which prevailed throughout the country. This culminated in a serious national fodder shortage and led to severe financial and animal welfare difficulties for farmers.

The benefit in making these payments six weeks earlier than otherwise provided for under the existing rules of the scheme will be particularly beneficial at this timeand I expect that these advance payments will result in some €600 million issuing in the initial period from 16 October.