Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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1626.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring forward the payment date for the areas of natural constraint scheme in light of the cash flow challenges faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31319/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. This commitment to farmers is affirmed by the recent agreement with all farm bodies on the Farmer's Charter, and evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers quickly and in compliance with the legal requirements of relevant EU Regulations.

In line with my commitment under the Farmer's Charter, my Department reviewed the payment dates at the end of the 2023 for future years with the aim of bringing forward the payment dates for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme. I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 my Department will commence ANC payments from September 18th to ensure money flows as soon as practically possible to farmers. This payment date is in line with the traditional payment date of the ANC Scheme to farmers and is a month earlier than in 2023.