The tabular statement shows the position regarding applications and payments to County Roscommon herd-owners under the Single Payment Scheme, for the years specified.
Year
|
Applications received
|
Applications paid
|
Value of payments
|
2006
|
5,838
|
5,806
|
€41.2m
|
2007
|
5,817
|
5,775
|
€41.1m
|
2008
|
5,761
|
5,718
|
€41.1m
|
2009
|
5,730
|
5,698
|
€41.7m
|
2010
|
5,700
|
5,675
|
€41.3m
|
2011
|
5,609
|
*
|
*
|
* Data not available as payments will not commence until 17 October 2011.
As is clear, while the timing of all direct aid payments to farmers is crucial, it is the Single Farm Payment that is of most importance to farmers, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.7 billion that is paid out in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of all farmers in Ireland, in many cases is used to subsidise the running costs of the farming enterprise and is, therefore, greater than the net farm income.
Earlier this year, mindful of the difficulties caused for farmers by the current financial crisis and also being acutely aware of the significance to the wider rural economy of the Single Payment, I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made. I am pleased to say that these payments will start issuing as and from next Monday, 17 October.