121 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the amount of money overpaid by his Department to farmers in each of the years 1990 to 1994; the total amount of overpaid money outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9705/95]

In the years 1990-1993 the total amount of money overpaid to farmers under the disadvantaged areas' headage schemes was £1,893 million of which at present £1,426 million has already been recovered. In the premium schemes the total amount overpaid in the same period was £2.071 million of which at present £.929 million has already been recovered. The outstanding balances will be recovered from future entitlements.

Details of the position in relation to 1994 are not available as all payments are not completed.

The vast bulk of these overpayments arose because of the system of making advance payments before completion of all processing of individual claims. From 1995 onwards, any advance payment will only be made on foot of fully processed claims. This should ensure that the level of overpayments in future years will be minimal.