Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2004
48 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of single farm payment that will apply to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19887/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continuing the work of establishing an entitlements database under the single payment scheme, which will come into effect in 2005. The processing of the 15,000force majeure applications is also continuing with decisions being communicated to farmers on an ongoing basis. In addition, farmers who wish to be considered as new entrants during the reference period or who have inherited holdings were invited to submit their applications by the closing date of 18 June 2004. Work has commenced on the processing of these applications and it will not be possible to determine the precise value of individual entitlements until these cases are determined.
It is my intention to issue notifications of provisional entitlements under the single payment scheme to the majority of farmers over the next two months. It should be noted however, that provisional entitlements may be subject to amendment later this year when all force majeure, new entrants and query cases are resolved. The intention is that all farmers will then be issued with a definitive entitlement early in 2005. It is not possible, therefore, to indicate what the definitive entitlement will be for the person named or indeed for any individual farmer.
