Agriculture Scheme Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2015

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Questions (31)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

31. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied for payments under the areas of natural constraint scheme in 2015; the numbers who have received a first payment; the number of files that are being queried at present; the number of cases where payment is held up at present due to not having the required stocking density; the way this compares to figures for the disadvantaged areas scheme this time last year; if he will provide this information, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35901/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 23 September 2015. To date, payments worth €156,239,607 have issued nationally to some 73,813 applicants. Payment will continue to issue on a twice weekly basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible. At this date last year, 77,260 farmers had been paid €162,298,829. Given the two week extension to this year’s application date and reduced processing time, the payment levels are broadly similar.

The further detail requested on a county basis by the Deputy is currently being collated and will be forwarded when available.