Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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589. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek approval at EU level for an increase in the advance basic payment to 75% and an 85% advance on rural development measures. [32201/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Article 75(1) of EU Council Regulation 1306/2013 states that Member States may, prior to 1 December but not before 16 October, pay advances of up to 50% for direct payments and of up to 75% for support granted under rural development.

Article 75(3) of this regulation provides that the Commission may derogate from these provisions in the event of an emergency. Cognisant of the extreme weather conditions this year my Department has recently submitted an application to the Commission seeking a derogation to make advance payments of up to 70% for direct payments and of up to 85% for support granted under rural development. These rates are in line with those approved by the Commission in some previous years. A response is awaited from the Commission.