Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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468. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in view of the serious income crises in the beef sector, he will consider bringing forward payment of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34228/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. I am particularly conscious of the need to improve the cash flow on these farms. In the case of the Single Farm Payment, I can confirm that advance payments valued at over €500,000 million will commence on 16^thOctober. My Department will make every effort to maximise the number of applicants cleared for payment on that date and will continue regular payment runs for cases as they are fully processed for payment thereafter. As in previous years the balancing payment will commence on 1^stDecember.