Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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293. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers on a country basis awaiting the first instalment of their single farm payments and disadvantaged areas payments respectively; if he will ensure that a partial payment is made to all farmers while outstanding issues are being resolved in view of the serious financial hardship as a result of borrowings and credit for fodder earlier this year; the corresponding number awaiting the final instalment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54861/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I remain confident that, by year-end, payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme will be in excess of €1.2 billion, while a further €200 million will have been paid under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Given the adverse financial climate in which we all find ourselves, I am very pleased to see this level of payments being made and I think it reflects very positively on all involved. The injection of over €1.4 billion into the rural economy in the relatively short, three-month period since payments commenced, benefits not only individual farmers, but also those businesses with whom farmers interact on a daily basis.

I can confirm that the balancing payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme started issuing, on target, as and from 2 December. Given their importance to farmers and the wider rural community, I was determined that the payment targets be met. The reason these levels of payments can be successfully delivered year-on-year is due, in very large part, to the very good working relationship between farmers and my Department. It is self evident that were this not the case it would simply not be possible to achieve these results. At the moment 121,909 farmers have been paid a total of €1,172.1m to date under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme.

Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme also commenced on schedule, on 25 September and, to date, payments worth €190.7 million have issued nationally, to some 90,605 applicants.

Payments cannot issue until all outstanding queries have been resolved on an individual application. However payments are continuing to issue on a twice weekly basis, in respect of both Schemes, with individual cases being paid as they are confirmed eligible.

The detailed county by county breakdowns of these payments are contained in the attached tabular statements.

2013 Single Payment Scheme