Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2011
388 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Kerry that have received their 2011 single farm payments; the total amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39702/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra389 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Kerry that have not yet received their 2011 single farm payments the total amount owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39703/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 389 together.
Earlier this year, I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made. I am pleased to say that these payments started issuing, on target, on Monday, 17 October. To date, payments worth in excess of €1.162 billion have issued nationally to over 117,202 farmers, representing over 95% of eligible applicants. The following tabular statement shows the position regarding applications and payments to County Kerry herd-owners under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme:
|
Year |
Applications received |
Applications paid |
Value of payments |
|
2011 |
7,563 |
7,387 |
€57,544,524 |
As is clear, while the timing of all direct aid payments to farmers is crucial, it is the Single Farm Payment that is of most importance to farmers, given that it represents in excess of €1.2 billion of the €1.7 billion that is paid out in direct aid. The SFP forms a significant part of the annual income of all farmers in Ireland, in many cases is used to subsidise the running costs of the farming enterprise and is, therefore, greater than the net farm income.
