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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 4

Written Answers. - Extensification Premium.

Tom Hayes

Question:

19 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if all outstanding subsidies, extensification payments and so on will be made to help alleviate financial pressures caused to many farmers by deteriorating weather conditions. [14038/02]

The position with regard to payments under the 2001 premium and compensatory allowance schemes is that some €1.131 billion has been paid to farmers under these schemes to date. In fact, since 1 May 2002, almost 445,000 payments in excess of €164 million have issued.

Payments under the 2001 extensification premium scheme commenced on 7 June and some 113,600 payments totalling more than €128 million have issued to date. The vast majority of clear cases have now received their entitlements and payments are continuing as queries are being resolved. Payment will be made in all eligible cases by 30 June in line with EU rules and Protocol commitments.

Payment of the Euro Compensation top-up under the 2001 special beef premium scheme commenced earlier this week and payment of the euro top-up under the 2001 extensification pre mium scheme is commencing today. Payments under these schemes will continue over the coming days and will be completed by 30 June 2002 in line with EU rules.
While I appreciate the effects the adverse weather conditions are having on the farming sector now, the high level of payments which have issued since 1 May will help to alleviate any hardship being experienced at present.
I acknowledge the importance of providing services in an efficient, effective and user-friendly manner. In recent years my Department has made huge strides in the timely and efficient delivery of payments to farmers. We have set quality of service as an integral part of all our operations. We have met the target dates for paying eligible applicants under the various schemes that are set out in the Protocol on Direct Payments to Farmers.
Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 11.
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