Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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518. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide assurances that there will be no delays in issuing single farm payments due in October 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31852/16]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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530. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding basic payment scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32106/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 530 together.

I am pleased to confirm that advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) commenced in Ireland on 17 October 2016, which is the earliest that payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations, in respect of applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors. The level of advance payment was set at 70% for 2016 rather than the 50% provided for in the EU legislation.

To date payments in excess of €735m have issued to over 113,000 applicants.  Regular payment runs are being made in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors.  There are currently approximately 14,000 applicants with an allocation of entitlements under the scheme awaiting further processing.

I am keenly aware that the advance payment of the BPS is a vital support to farmers across sectors in maximising cash flow and my Department will continue to prioritise the processing of all outstanding cases.

I would also point out that the  processing of the 2016 applications under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme is currently in progress. To date payments in excess of €179m have issued to some 83,500 applicants. Regular payment runs are being made in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors.