Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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366. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide co-funding to match the recent additional €13.7 million European Union funding to alleviate farm income losses, especially the volatility in milk prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In order to effectively address the existing market disturbance in the dairy sector, the European Commission deemed it appropriate to provide grant aid to Member States in the form of a one-time financial grant as part of its recent announcement on a package . The aim of this is to support farmers in the relevant sectors who are experiencing the most acute price fall and consequences of the prolongation of the Russian import ban. As the Deputy is aware Ireland has been granted an allocation of €13.7 million from an overall fund of €420M. The most recent Commission proposal , as revised at the request of Member States , including Ireland , provides scope for a national top up of up to 100% to this EU payment. Member States will be given the flexibility to distribute this aid through the most effective channels at their disposal. It is a clear requirement of the provisions regarding this aid that the funds need to be distributed on the basis of objective and non-discriminatory criteria and also needs to ensure that farmers in the relevant sectors are the ultimate beneficiaries of the targeted aid.

I am consulting with stakeholders and considering how best to distribute this funding, and will consider the question of a national top up in consultation with Cabinet colleagues and in light of the availability of funding and other considerations.