Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money that has been paid to co-operatives that participated in the importation of fodder scheme to alleviate the hardship that farmers were enduring during the spring and early summer; the factual figures paid to date; the amount and to which co-operatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38033/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, earlier this year I announced the allocation of funding for an imported fodder transport scheme, designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. The aid substantially covered the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third.
While the scheme operated through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies, the actual beneficiaries are the individual farmers and primary producers who needed urgent supplies of feed. Operating the scheme in this manner was the quickest and most effective way of getting the fodder to those who needed it.
Of the 81 different concerns which participated in the Scheme, to date, 58 have submitted claims, of which 14 have been fully processed and paid with a further 9 cases cleared to payment stage. Of the remaining 35 cases that have submitted documentation, 17 have yet to submit sufficient documentation. These concerns have been contacted directly and are working with my Department to resolve the outstanding issues. Currently documentation remains outstanding from 23 concerns.
