I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 to 612; 614 and 630 together.
In 2006, a total of 139,338 farmers received payments under the various schemes administered by my Department. Over 66,000 farmers have supplied the necessary details to receive their payments through directly into their bank account and are already paid through the electronic funds transfer facility.
My Department is obliged to adhere to the requirements and controls set out by the EU Commission in administering EU funded schemes. The new requirement to pay all scheme payments directly into bank accounts is being implemented in accordance with EU Council Regulation 1290/2005 which lays down the rules on the financing and management of the Common Agricultural Policy for the years 2007 to 2013. The detailed implementing rules for that Regulation, as set out in EU Commission Regulation 885/2006, requires that all EU paying agencies, including my Department, adopt procedures to ensure that payments are made only to bank accounts. Payment by cheque (payable order) may continue to be made for the EU financial years 2007 and 2008. However, as and from the EU 2009 financial year commencing on 16th in October 2008, payments by cheque will no longer be permitted.
My Department will be in contact with farmers to facilitate the smooth transfer to electronic funds transfers. All bank account details supplied are handled to the highest levels of security and confidentiality and the switchover to electronic payments is being administered in compliance with the Data Protection Act.