Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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563. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of basic payment scheme applications available to submit online this year; if he proofed this requirement of application against the provision of broadband facilities in the farmers' locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department introduced the online application facility under the Single Payment Scheme in 2007. All farmers have the option of lodging their applications online themselves or through an authorised agent. Online application involves a range of advantages for farmers, which help to ensure the continued efficient and effective delivery of these vital payments. Additional advantages for online applicants in 2016 included the implementation of preliminary checks. Under this provision, online applicants are informed, within a specified time frame, of a number of common land errors (over-claims, dual claims and overlaps) and given the opportunity to avoid area penalties as would have applied in previous years.

Since the introduction of online applications in 2007 my Department has worked closely with both farmers and authorised agents to make the online system more user friendly. New features have been introduced including the online updating of maps, view payments, respond to queries online and much more. In 2016, over 101,000 farmers have applied online for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

My Department recognises the challenges faced by certain applicants, including those who are not familiar with the use of the technology that is required, or who may have difficulty in accessing the online system to lodge BPS applications. Accordingly, my Department put in place a comprehensive system of support for online applicants in 2016, including:

- a dedicated helpdesk,

- one to one assistance for applicants lodging on-line applications at a number of regional locations in the spring of this year, and

- a similar service at its offices in Portlaoise for several weeks in advance of the closing date.

The position with regard to the receipt of BPS applications is subject to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 which sets out specific requirements with regard to geo-spatial (online) aid applications for the BPS. The regulation sets out that Member States shall provide for geo-spatial (online) applications, and that 75% of beneficiaries in 2017 and all beneficiaries in 2018 must apply online. My Department has already reached the 2017 target in 2016.

My Department is committed to continuing to provide targeted supports to applicants as the process continues to ensure access to the BPS is not impeded and that regulatory requirements are met.