Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 November 2014
24. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will spread the payments to farmers under the various schemes over 12 monthly payments in order to provide some income certainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43010/14]
View answerThe rules governing the making of Direct Payments and other schemes including area based schemes are set out in EU regulations. Article 75.1 of Council Regulation 1306/2013 specifies that payments under the Single Payment Scheme and the Basic Payment Scheme shall be made within the period from 1 December to 30 June of the following calendar year. Payments shall be made in a maximum of two instalments within that period. The regulation further allows Member States, prior to 1 December but not before 16 October, to pay advances of up to 50 % for these direct payments.
Under Article 75.1 the same provisions apply to agri-environment schemes as and from scheme year 2018, with the exception that pay advances of up to 75% may be made. This schedule is the same as the current procedure whereby payments are made in two instalments, 75% and 25%, but not before 16 October.
It should also be noted that payments under the Area of Natural Constraints Scheme will move to this payment schedule as and from scheme year 2018. In the interim period, payments under the Area of Natural Constraints Scheme will continue to be paid in full from September of the scheme year, which is the earliest possible date for payments under this scheme.
It is therefore not possible for my Department to spread payments under these schemes into instalments over a twelve month period.
