Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the imported fodder transport scheme will issue in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33820/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In excess of 18,000 farmers benefited under the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, under which, to date, payments worth in excess of €2.7 million have issued, with total expenditure expected to be in the region of €2.9 million. In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies in April/May 2013, I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third.

While the Scheme operated through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies, the actual beneficiaries are the individual farmers and primary producers who needed urgent supplies of feed. Operating the scheme in this manner was the quickest and most effective way of getting the fodder to those who needed it.

Of the 80 different concerns which participated in the Scheme, to date, all have submitted claims, of which 71 have been fully processed and paid in full, with a further 3 having received a 75% advance payment with the balancing payment due to issue to these concerns once all outstanding issues are resolved. The remaining 6 concerns are due payment are in direct contact with my Department and are working to resolve all outstanding issues.

The advance payment did issue to the concern named and the balancing payment is in the process of being finalised and is expected to issue shortly.