It has been indicated by the Department of agriculture that more than 18,000 farmers who have applied under the ACRES co-operation project stream will not be paid until next February at the earliest. This is not acceptable. Farmers need money for Christmas like everyone else. After a very tough year weather-wise - bad weather makes every chore more expensive and fodder is scarce and expensive - they have bills to pay like everyone else. If the Government cannot pay farmers 100%, I ask that it at least pays them 50% of what is owed before Christmas and the remainder as soon as possible. I ask that all farmers be paid 50% of their payments before Christmas and the remainder be paid after that. It is a fair and reasonable request.

I have a long, detailed answer for the Deputy, which I will ask to be forwarded to him. The very short answer in the time we have is that payments will commence on 18 December, with two thirds of all the ACRES general participants in the final stages of being processed for payment before the end of the year. There is more detail, which I will ask to be sent to the Deputy.

There are 18,000 farmers who will not be paid until February.