Written Answers Nos. 442-463
442. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the total number of persons who have enrolled to date in GLAS 3; if he will provide a breakdown between tiers 1, 2 and 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40873/16]
View answerTo date some 18,000 applications have been created on the GLAS 3 online system. The information requested by the Deputy on the breakdown of applications will not be available until after an assessment has been carried out on all applications submitted to the Scheme when it closes on 15 December 2016.
Given the large volume of applications being created by applicants I would again urge them to adopt higher priority environmental actions that will promote them from Tier 3 to a higher tier, thus increasing their chances of selection into the Scheme.
443. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the total number of tier 3 farmers who have applied to GLAS 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40874/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy on the total number of Tier 3 farmers that have applied to GLAS 3 will not be available until after an assessment has been carried out on all applications submitted to the Scheme by the closing date for GLAS 3 of 15 December 2016.
444. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 1 December 2016, if the 1,566 yellow card cases will have their applications processed before the end of 2016; if so, if they will receive their 2016 payment before December 2016; if cases are processed after 31 December 2016, when payments will issue in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40875/16]
View answerCurrently 1,566 ANC cases have been identified as having an area over claim and therefore requiring the application of the new "yellow card" penalty process. This new process is in the final stages of implementation by my department and it is expected that those cases currently outstanding will be processed for payment in the coming week provided they have satisfied all other ANC eligibility criteria, eg minimum stocking requirements.
445. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the total budget amount allocation in 2017 for the GLAS, BDGP, TAMS, AOES and REPS programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40876/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:
|
Title of Scheme |
2017 allocation €000 |
|
Beef Data and Genomics Programme |
52,000 |
|
REPS |
250 |
|
AEOS |
11,000 |
|
GLAS |
214,000 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
50,000 |
|
- |
- |
|
Total |
327,250 |
The combined 2017 allocation for these schemes at €327,250,000 is a 21% increase on the amount allocated to these schemes in 2016.
446. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out in tabular form the breakdown of total expenditure incurred to date in 2016 and the annual amount of funds originally allocated to the schemes (details supplied) under the Rural Development Programme 2014-20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40877/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Of the schemes listed by the Deputy the Horticulture Industry and Development of the Organic Sector schemes are not in RDP 2014-2020 while no allocation was made for the Knowledge Transfer Scheme in 2016.
A substantial amount of further expenditure will take place in the coming weeks particularly in GLAS, BDGP, AEOS and Organics.
|
Title of Scheme |
2016 allocation€000 |
2016 Outturn – 14 December€000 |
|
Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme |
202,000 |
200,117 |
|
Beef Data and Genomics Programme |
52,000 |
36,675 |
|
AEOS |
40,850 |
24,539 |
|
GLAS |
139,500* |
5,893 |
|
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme |
35,800 |
6,366 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
4,602* |
4,408 |
|
Organic Farming Schemes |
10,000 |
3,784 |
|
REPS (including Agricultural Catchment Programme) |
2,194 |
2,652 |
|
Locally Led Environmental Schemes (Burren) |
1,200 |
1,677 |
|
Technical assistance |
1,000 |
790 |
|
Collaborative Farming |
500 |
329 |
|
Speciality Foods Scheme |
989 |
10 |
|
Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Disease |
700 |
183 |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
Totals |
491,335 |
287,423 |
*Revised allocation post 2016 Supplementary Estimate Process.
447. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down the number of farmers that joined the first, second and third tranche of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme who are eligible for GLAS+ payments; the estimated average payment that will be due to each eligible farmer for GLAS+ payments; when these payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40878/16]
View answerTo qualify for GLAS Plus applicants must have more than one Priority Environmental Asset (PEA), unless the PEA is a farmland bird which alone confers eligibility for GLAS Plus. The annual cost of addressing these PEAs must exceed €5,000 up to a maximum of €7,000.
GLAS+ payments in respect of the 2015 scheme part-year payment began to issue this week. A total of €495,210 has issued to some 1,400 participants who received an average GLAS+ payment of €355. The 2015 average GLAS+ payment is not indicative of the average 2016 payment as not all PEAs were payable in 2015 and the 2015 payment is only in respect of three months October to December 2015.
The 2016 prepayment validation checks are currently under way for GLAS 1 and GLAS 2 applicants and once fully completed, figures regarding the 2016 average GLAS+ payments and the numbers in receipt of GLAS + will become available.
448. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether priority access is being provided to approximately 2,000 farmers who did not get into GLAS 2 in view of the fact the previous Minister gave a commitment to the effect that those persons would receive priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40879/16]
View answerThe level of interest in the second tranche of GLAS (GLAS 2) resulted in those applications with the highest environmental priorities and actions in Tier 1 and Tier 2 being selected into the Scheme.
In respect of the third tranche of GLAS (GLAS 3) selection into the Scheme will depend on the level of applications received within the funding available for the Scheme. The same criteria for priority access to the Scheme as applied in previous tranches will be applied for GLAS 3 whereby Tier 1 will receive priority access to the Scheme, followed by Tier 2 and followed in turn by Tier 3. This is as set out in the Scheme Terms and Conditions.
Farmers are therefore encouraged to present the highest standard of environmental plan under GLAS 3 and, where possible, to adopt actions that would promote them from Tier 3 to increase their chance of selection into the Scheme.
449. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments from €150,000 to €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40880/16]
View answer450. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to propose a lowering of the cap on basic payments from €150,000 to €100,000; the number of Agriculture Council meetings at which he raised this subject with his EU colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40881/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 450 together.
The €150,000 limit on basic payments is enshrined in Regulation 1307/2013, which establishes the current rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the CAP. The lowering of this limit would require a legislative change in Council, something that is not envisaged as part of the Commission's ongoing simplification programme.
However, the lowering of the basic payment ceiling to €100,000 is something I am committed to, in line with the programme for Government. I will be seeking to address this matter in the context of the future reform of the CAP. No proposals have yet been tabled in this regard by the Commission, either in the context of a mid-term review of the current framework or in the context of future policy post-2020. However, I will be tabling the matter at the appropriate point as the discussions on future policy evolve.
451. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to support for further action at an EU level to deliver greater transparency and fairness in the food supply chain; the number of Agriculture Council meetings at which he raised this subject with his EU colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40882/16]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that following a series of discussions the Council of Agriculture Ministers agreed this week on Conclusions on the strengthening of farmers’ position in the food supply chain, and on tackling unfair trading practices. The agreed text refers in particular to the need to tackle unfair trading practices. Council took note of the fact that a regulatory approach at EU level could complement existing voluntary initiatives, and called on the Commission to undertake an impact assessment with a view to possibly proposing an EU legislative framework.
In broad terms I welcome the provisions in the draft conclusions. The Presidency has reflected Member States’ concerns in relation to tackling unfair trading practices, where the need for an EU legislative framework proved to be one of the more contentious items during the discussions. I welcome the call in the Conclusions for the Commission to provide legal clarity in relation to exemptions from competition law for producer organisations and co-operatives, and note the inclusion of references to the development of futures markets, which is something that is being actively pursued in Ireland. I look forward to the Commission now acting on these Conclusions in the context of its future efforts to strengthen the position of the farmer in the food supply chain.
One of the key elements in protecting the producer’s position in the food supply chain is providing a means by which primary producers can strengthen their position when negotiating the sale of their produce. The European Union (Beef Producer Organisations) Regulations 2016 S.I. No 49 of 2016 implement Commission Regulation No. 1308/2013, which provides the basis for the recognition of producer organisations in the beef sector. The Regulation allows, inter alia, primary producers to collectively negotiate contracts for the supply of cattle for slaughter. In order to assist groups of primary producers who wish to become recognised Producer Organisations an application to the European Commission as part of the second amendment to Ireland’s RDP has been submitted, which provides for the funding of start-up activities for Producer Organisations in the Beef Sector. Funding will be provided for prospective POs to engage a facilitator to help with recruitment and start-up activities. Facilitators might be advisors, business planners, legal advisors, accountants etc. Advisors will fall into one of two categories; giving advice on setup of the PO’s statutes, fulfilling Department requirements etc, or advice on business planning and membership recruitment. Payment for advice in each of these areas will be capped at €1,500 in accordance with the provisions of the RDP regulation. However, the PO is free to engage further advice at their own cost. Total expenditure will be capped at €300,000.
It is expected to have approval of Ireland’s second amendment to the RDP in early 2017 and once this is received, funding will be made available to recognised Producer Organisations in the beef sector and arrangements for applications for recognition of Producer Organisations will follow.
At major wholesale and retail level, the Consumer Protection Act 2007 (Grocery Goods Undertakings) Regulations 2016 which were signed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, entered into force on 30 April 2016. The Regulations are enforced by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). Since that date, all major retailers and wholesalers have nominated liaison persons for the purposes of the Regulations. The CCPC has engaged with key stakeholders and has held both bilaterals and a seminar with the main retailers and wholesalers to raise awareness of the requirements of the Regulations. Annual compliance reports for the period 30 April - 31 December 2016 have to be submitted to the CCPC by the relevant retailers and wholesalers by 31 March 2017. Ireland’s legislation is one of the more advanced among member States, some of whom rely on voluntary codes of practice.
452. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to review the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001. [40883/16]
View answerThe current status of the commitment is that a preliminary assessment is being undertaken in order to identify appropriate arrangements for implementing the review. This includes assessment of legal considerations arising and appropriate arrangements for consultation. It is expected that a consultation process will commence shortly.
453. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to review the green cert to ensure it is fit for purpose. [40884/16]
View answerIn line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government, Teagasc have completed a comprehensive review of the Green Cert award to ensure that it is both fit-for-purpose and reflects the changing requirements of Irish farming. Teagasc undertook the review under the auspices of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and in consultation with a wide body of stakeholders. The revised award has been approved by QQI and will strengthen and improve the Green Cert in key areas such as sustainable farming/environment, livestock breeding and grassland management. Teagasc plans to introduce the revised Green Cert from the start of the 2017/18 academic year.
454. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to seek recognition from the European Commission for forgotten farmers as a group with specific disadvantage under the national reserve, in the same way that old young farmers are currently provided for; and the number of meetings has he had with EU Commission representatives on this issue. [40885/16]
View answerIn accordance with the EU Regulations governing the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme, a young farmer is defined as a farmer aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme and who commenced their farming activity no more than five years prior to submitting that application. The regulation also provides that priority under the National Reserve is given to ‘young farmers’ and to ‘new entrants to farming’. A new entrant is defined as a farmer who commenced their agricultural activity during the previous two years. The Regulations governing the operation of the National Reserve also include an optional provision whereby Member States may use the National Reserve to allocate new entitlements or give a top-up on the value of existing entitlements for persons who suffer from a ‘Specific Disadvantage’.
Following my Department’s consultation with the EU Commission, the then Minister announced in March 2015 that the group commonly known as “Old Young Farmers”, who established their holding between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009, and who, due to the timeframe of setting up their holding did not benefit from either the Installation Aid or the Young Farmer category of the National Reserve, can be considered as a ‘group suffering from specific disadvantage’.
The group of farmers commonly referred to as ‘forgotten farmers’ comprises farmers aged under 40, who established their holdings prior to 2008, and who hold low value entitlements. Preliminary analysis carried out by my Department shows there are some 3,900 farmers in this category. An estimation of the cost of increasing the value of existing entitlements to the National Average for these 3,900 farmers stands at over €12 million.
There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding had been utilised under the 2015 scheme. In order to provide for a National Reserve in 2017 funding is required to replenish the Reserve. EU Regulations governing the scheme provide that funding for the replenishment of the National Reserve may be obtained by means of surrender of entitlements that remain unused by farmers for two consecutive years and by clawback derived following the sale of entitlements without land. It is envisaged that funding derived from these two sources in 2017 will be very limited. The Regulations also provide for the application of a linear cut to the value of all farmers’ entitlements to replenish the National Reserve.
Under the National Reserve priority access must be given to the two mandatory categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’. Support for other categories such as those that may be regarded as suffering from ‘specific disadvantage’ can only be considered once the two mandatory categories have been catered for.
Consultation between Department officials and the Direct Payments Advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, agricultural education and farm advisory bodies takes place annually as part of the decision making process for the National Reserve. This meeting in relation to the 2017 National Reserve will take place early in 2017.
Decisions in relation to the National Reserve for 2017, including decisions regarding categories which fall outside of the two priority categories of ‘young farmers’ and ‘new entrants to farming’ that require EU Commission approval, will be considered once the position on potential funding has been established.
455. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to include a measure on clearing drains in the farm safety scheme under TAMS. [40886/16]
View answerA Programme for a Partnership Government indicates that consideration would be given to the possibility of including a measure on clearing drains in the farm safety scheme under TAMS. Consideration of this possibility is ongoing.
456. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to explore the potential for the development of onshore close containment fish farming as an emerging technology. [40888/16]
View answerIreland’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development, published in 2015, proposes 24 actions to drive the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector and grow production in the sector by 45,000 tonnes by 2023. The Plan targets a 30% increase in production derived from onshore close containment recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Considerable international developmental effort is being put into land based RAS systems. A number of technological challenges need to be overcome to make RAS economically viable. The National Strategic Plan identified the need for additional applied research and development to improve the performance of RAS in terms of reduced water usage, more effective treatment of return water in terms of key enrichment parameters, reduction of energy usage in water pumping and treatment, improvement of system reliability to avoid stock losses and animal welfare and disease management issues.
BIM funded a 2015 study by the Irish Salmon Growers Association ‘Potential for Land Based Salmon Growout in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in Ireland’. The report describes in detail all technical aspects of RAS production and system design and operations. It also covers important biological aspects of land based salmon production. The Report states that its main aim is to assess the viability of land based salmon production in RAS under Irish conditions. This includes detailed information of capital expenditure and operational costs as well as the market situation for salmon. The report concludes that the capital cost of setting up a large scale RAS unit is very high and that there are still technical difficulties to be overcome to achieve reliability in land based facilities.
As part of my Department’s €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme, a new Aquaculture ‘Knowledge Gateway Scheme’ was launched in 2016. I have provided BIM with a budget of €8.2 million for that Scheme over the course of the Programme. In close collaboration with aquaculture enterprises and researchers, the Scheme aims to develop knowledge, innovation and technology in the aquaculture sector to ensure its sustainable development. An important part of the focus of the Scheme will be the applied research and development on RAS identified in the National Strategic Plan. This may take the form of applied research undertaken by BIM on behalf of the sector or initiatives from industry operators or research institutions.
To further incentivise RAS developments, I recently increased grants rates under the EMFF Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme for RAS developments to the maximum possible 50% for 2017 applications.
457. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down the number of bilateral meetings he has had with European counterparts regarding fishing quotas and safeguarding Irish fishing interests ahead of the fisheries Council of Ministers meeting. [40889/16]
View answerThe December EU Fisheries Council Meeting which concluded in the early hours of Wednesday morning this week consisted of two very challenging days of intensive negotiations setting the TAC and quota for fish stocks for 2017. My primary aim from the outset was to achieve an outcome that protected the overall interests of the Irish fishing industry while respecting the most up-to-date scientific advice for stocks of critical importance to our fleets. I am pleased that we have secured a good deal for Irish fishermen at the EU Fisheries Council that will support our fishing industry over the coming year and which is sustainable in terms of the fish stocks on which we are dependent.
In order to inform negotiations at the December Fisheries Council, I had an assessment of the impacts of the Commission proposal for Total Allowable Catches and quotas for 2017 undertaken. To facilitate and inform these deliberations, an open consultation process was put in place, whereby stakeholders were asked to submit their comments and observations on the Commission proposal for fishing opportunities for 2017.
In the run up to Council I had separate bilateral meetings with my French and Northern Ireland counterparts as the key players concerning stocks of interest to the Irish fleets. There were also meetings at official level with France, UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Spain in advance of December Council. In particular, I worked closely with Michelle McIlveen of Northern Ireland and we submitted a joint proposal concerning our most important demersal fishery, prawns. This joint paper was, I believe, instrumental in overturning the original commission proposal and producing a 9% increase in this very valuable stock.
At the Council itself I had a series of meetings with a range of relevant Minsters and, of course, Commissioner Vella and the Slovakian Presidency. With regard to the latter, I was able to explain the history and huge importance of the Hague preferences and to ensure their support in resisting any attempts to dilute the application of the preferences.
In the end, I secured 233,500 tonnes of quotas worth €280 million for Irish fishermen for 2017. This represents an increase of 17,390 tonnes over 2016 and a 6% increase by value. I am satisfied that I have managed to turn an extremely worrying set of proposals from the Commission into a much improved outcome for the Irish fishing industry.
458. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to review the fish assist scheme in recognition of the irregular earning patterns of fishermen. [40890/16]
View answerIn Budget 2017 a number of adjustments were announced which are relevant to those who wish to avail of the Fish Assist Scheme. These adjustments include an increase by €5 per weekly payment in March 2017; additional annual disregards of €254 for each of the first 2 children and €381 for the third and subsequent children will be taken into account in assessments and means testing will also be based on 70% income rather than 100% in line with the changes in the Farm Assist scheme for off-farm self-employment.
459. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the status of the progress towards the programme for Government commitment to continuing to explore the potential development of an all-island label; and the number of North South ministerial meetings at which he raised this subject with colleagues. [40891/16]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government sets out a number of priorities for the beef sector and the overarching commitment is to ensure that sustained profitability can be achieved by farmers within the sector. This continues to be implemented in different ways including the increase in funding for the RDP in 2017 under which suckler farmers will gain through various schemes. There is also a commitment to continue with hosting the Beef Forum which is also being met and I have hosted two meetings of this forum to date.
The idea of an all island label is more complex issue though requiring engagement with authorities in Northern Ireland, the UK, and the EU who determine the rules as well as retail sector who have customer specifications for the product which they sell. While such labelling has been mooted as a mechanism to alleviate pressures on the live export trade between the Republic and Northern Ireland it must be noted that this trade is determined by a range of factors primarily the Sterling exchange rate but also including supply of cattle in each market, retailer preferences and production cycles, among others.
An all-island label has been previously raised with British retailers who have made clear that they have a longstanding policy to market British and Irish beef separately and have therefore explicitly rejected the concept of an all-island or mixed label. This means that beef must be sourced from animals originating in one EU Member State i.e. born, reared and slaughtered in Ireland or the United Kingdom.
I have met my counterpart from Northern Ireland, Michelle McIlveen MLA, on many occasions now to discuss issues of mutual interest and of course the north-south trade in cattle and beef has featured in these discussions. Needless to say our focus now is on minimising the effects of the UK’s proposed withdrawal from the EU and on securing arrangements which are best suited to the development of our respective agri-food sectors.
460. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the total number of farmers enrolled in the basic payments scheme that have received a payment under, equal to or above figures (details supplied). [40892/16]
View answerInformation requested is currently being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible to the Deputy.
461. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down in tabular form the number of farmers in receipt of areas of natural constraint payments by county; the total number of farmers in each county that enrolled in the ANC scheme, broken down by each respective area designation (details supplied); the payment rate for each respective area designation per county; the total amount of funds under the scheme that have been drawn down to date under each area designation in each of the years 2014 to 2016 to date, per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40893/16]
View answerMy department is currently collating this data following a previous PQ request 39304 on 7 December. This data will be forwarded directly to the TD once available.
462. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the reason only 85% of 2016 GLAS payments are issuing in December 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40894/16]
View answerThe EU regulations governing GLAS only allow for up to 85% of the GLAS payment to issue as a first instalment once all administrative checks have been completed. The balancing 15% may issue only after all the required on-the-spot checks have been initiated.
463. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the number of BPS payments which were withheld due to LPIS; if any outstanding payments that have been subsequently approved after audit have issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40895/16]
View answerThe processing of applications under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is a complex administrative task and one that remains a top priority for my Department. The scheme is fully funded by the European Union and the relevant Competent Authorities in each Member State are obliged to ensure that the requirements of the governing EU Regulations are observed and that only valid applications that fully comply with the requirements are paid. The administration of the scheme in each Member State is subjected to close scrutiny by officials of the EU Commission and the EU Court of Auditors to ensure that the regulatory requirements are met and that the Schemes are applied in a uniform manner across the European Union.
In particular my Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which underpins the processing of applications under the BPS and Direct Payment Schemes. Given the importance of the LPIS database in underpinning these payments, worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually, my Department is obliged under EU Regulations to ensure its accuracy. All applications under the BPS are subject to administrative checks including ongoing reviews of updated imagery, with a further 5% also subject to land eligibility inspections in compliance with EU legislation.
Where issues preventing payment are identified contact is immediately made with the applicant concerned in order to resolve the query. Work is well underway in resolving the queries that have arisen following these checks and farmers are being contacted as necessary. Many of these issues are not LPIS related and may relate to dual claims, probate, late application, etc. To date payments in excess of €1.15 billion have issued to over 121,600 applicants. Approximately another 5,000 applicants have entitlements under the BPS or have an application in to receive entitlements. Regular payment runs are being made in respect of all applicants whose applications are fully processed and who have no outstanding errors.
