Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of applicants in County Cavan paid to date under the 2015 areas of natural constraint scheme and the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44629/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of applicants in County Monaghan paid to date under the 2015 natural constraint scheme and the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44630/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that outstanding payments due to farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan under the natural constraint scheme and the single payment scheme will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44631/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108 and 109 together.

In relation to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening Payment, I am pleased to confirm that advance payments began issuing in Ireland on 16 October , 2015.  This is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations.  In addition, I can confirm that the level of the advance payment was set at 70% for 2015 rather than the normal 50%.  The increase in the advance payment for 2015 is, in particular, due to the difficulties encountered in the dairying and pigmeat sectors. The balancing payments commenced on 1 December.A total of 97% of eligible applicants in Cavan and 98% of eligible applicants in Monaghan have been paid under the BPS.

I can also confirm that payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 23 Sept ember 2015. A total of 85% of eligible applicants in Cavan and 83% of eligible applicants in Monaghan have been paid under the ANC Scheme. It shouldbe noted that many farmers cannot be paid until early 2016 when they comply with the stocking requirements of the scheme.

As outstanding cases under the BPS, Greening and ANC are processed and are cleared of any outstanding error, they will be sent for payment.  My Department is prioritising the processing of all such outstanding cases with regular payment runs continuing over the coming weeks.