Written answer
Agriculture Supports
Industrial action delayed BISS and CRISS payments, but advance payments at 75% were expected to begin late that week, with over €500 million due to issue.
388. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total value of both the BISS and CRISS payments that were subject to delayed payment due to the recent industrial action. [75156/26]
Comment on this
My Department recently confirmed that there was to be a delay to the issuing of payments under the BISS and CRISS schemes which were scheduled to commence from Friday 16 October as a result of the Industrial Action that is currently underway across the public sector.
Processing of applications is ongoing and the issuing of payments on time and to the maximum number of farmers is one of my key priorities and every avenue has been explored to date to ensure payments are made. As previously indicated, payments under these schemes will issue at the higher rate of 75%.
It is my intention to commence the payment of the advanced BISS & CRISS Payments from late this week and I expect the numbers to be in line with last year’s figures, with in excess of €500m issuing to farmers.