Grant Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2010

Thursday, 20 May 2010

Ceisteanna (199)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

199 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applications received in his Department under the scheme for compensation for vegetable growers; if, in view of the financial situation which growers find themselves, and in view of the fact that field inspections were complete in February 2010, he will make arrangements for payment of all approved applicants immediately in order to enable these growers to finance this year’s planting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21084/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

As at the closing date of the 19 February 2010, some 359 applications which related to potato and/or field vegetable crop losses were received. Following a preliminary examination, some 20 claimants were deemed ineligible under the EU State Aid rules which require that the losses suffered must exceed 30% of the grower's average of production in the 3 previous years. All the remaining 339 applicants were inspected during February and into the first 3 weeks of March. The purpose of these inspections was to verify the areas of the crops affected and the extent of the losses claimed. A total of 255 growers were deemed eligible, following these inspections.

All of the remaining eligible applicants were then written to requesting them to supply documentation to confirm their financial losses. As this documentation is received it is being examined to determine the exact level of the losses incurred by the grower. It is expected that payments will commence shortly to growers cleared for payment.