Area aid payment arrears
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae argued farmers needed the money taken from area aid payments years ago to be restored now. The Minister of State said additional funding commitments under the programme for Government had been honoured, including allocations under the areas of natural constraint scheme.
Farmers' pockets are empty at this time. Back in 2008 and 2009, €1,100 was taken off the area aid payment but it was promised that it would be given back.
Now the Taoiseach is saying he will give €200 or €230 sometime later on this year. I am appealing to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to give them back the money that was taken off them at that time. It is theirs.
As I said to the Taoiseach, they cannot pay suppliers or contractors. They cannot pay for anything. This €1,000 or €1,100 would mean so much to them at present because there were never as low. I appeal to the Taoiseach to give them back this money which was taken off them in 2009.
Comment on this
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in China leading a trade delegation to try to get more business and to open more markets.
Under the programme for Government, an increased total of €25 million was committed to under the areas of natural constraint scheme and a further €25 million was provided for the sheep welfare scheme. The €25 million under the areas of natural constraint scheme will be allocated. It has been decided how it will be distributed among the three categories. That commitment was made and has been honoured this year.