Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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491. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Galway that have not received their disadvantaged area payment or single farm payment; the way this compares to the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42108/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 25 September and, to date, payments worth €141,325,332 million have issued nationally, to some 66,668 applicants. The details in respect of payments to farmers in County Galway are as set out in the table below, which shows the numbers paid to date and the value of those payments, together with details of the position at the corresponding stage in 2011 and 2012.

County Galway

Payments continue to issue, on a twice-weekly basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible.

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 time and I expect that these advance payments, including to farmers from County Galway, will result in some €600 million issuing in the initial period from 16 October.