Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the significance to all farmers, and the wider rural economy, of the payments that issue to farmers from my Department under schemes such as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), GLAS, TAMS, the Sheep Welfare Scheme, and the Knowledge Transfer programme.

Given the importance of payments under such schemes, my Department recently wrote to all farmers to advise them of the schedule in place for payments to commence for a range of schemes in the coming months.

Payments issuing from my Department this Autumn commenced on schedule with the first pay runs under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme issuing from mid September. €185.6m issued in the first tranche of payments under the Scheme. This was a significant increase on the equivalent 2017 figure of €160m. In addition, the number of farmers paid in this first tranche increased from 75,000 in 2017 to almost 77,000 this year. Regular pay runs are continuing to ensure that cases are paid as they become clear, and to date over €194.4m has issued to 80,600 farmers under the ANC Scheme.

I am also happy to confirm that the European Commission has agreed to my request for a higher advance payment of 70% under the 2018 BPS and Greening. This is an increase on the standard 50% rate allowed for under the EU regulations. Advance payments under the BPS are due to commence on 16th October, which is the earliest date possible under EU Regulations. The 30% balancing payments will then commence at the start of December.

There will also be an increase to 85% advance payment rates under a number of CAP Pillar II Rural Development schemes. This increased rate applies to GLAS and the Sheep Welfare Scheme, which will see advance payments commence in November.

Preparations for payments under year 2 of the Knowledge Transfer Scheme to commence at the end of October 2018 are also underway while payments under the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, along with the Young Farmers Scheme, the Organic Farming Scheme and the Protein Aid scheme will all commence in December.

In addition, payments continue to issue to farmers on a weekly basis under TAMS II, with an average payment of over €1m per week for the last year. To date, 5,689 approved applicants under the Scheme have completed their approved works, submitted a payment claim and have been paid.

My Department continues to process payments under these schemes as a matter of priority, to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in the most timely and efficient manner possible.