Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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307. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is unfair that only successful applicants for the 2022 fodder support scheme are eligible to apply for the 2023 scheme; if he will consider opening the 2023 scheme up to applicants who, for whatever reason, did not apply for the 2022 fodder support scheme but are still facing significant extra costs to produce fodder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62403/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that on 2nd November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme, which builds on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme. The 2022 Scheme had over 71,000 applicants, with each of them due to receive an average payment of €735. These payments have begun issuing to farmers over recent weeks.

The 2023 Fodder Support Scheme is a successor to the 2022 Scheme and aims to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) in 2023 to ensure Ireland does not have any animal welfare issues over the winter of 2023/spring of 2024. It is also a reflection of the significant increase in input costs such as fertiliser, energy and silage plastic that farmers have experienced over the past 12 months in particular.

Successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme which closed at midnight on 5th December 2022. This eligibility condition was necessary to facilitate early advance payments of up to €30 million for the 2023 Scheme before the end of December 2022. The online system will re-open in May/June 2023 to allow the approximately 67,400 participants who applied for the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme amend the area declared or to withdraw from the Scheme if they so wish.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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308. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is expected that a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their basic payment. [62409/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The above named person submitted a BPS application on the 22nd of April 2022.

While completing the administrative checks, two issues were identified in relation to this application. The above named individual has been contacted in relation to these issues, both of which have now been resolved. Payment under BPS will issue shortly.