Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Claire Kerrane TD, has demanded that Minister McConalogue take action to address the 29,000 Farmers still awaiting farm payments.

Minister McConalogue provided the figures in response to Teachta Kerrane during Committee last evening stating that 8,000 Farmers were waiting for their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), 11,000 Farmers are awaiting their Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payment and 10,000 Farmers are waiting for payment under the Eco-scheme.

Speaking today, Teachta Kerrane said:

“While it is welcome that 90% of BISS payments and 89% of ANC payments have been paid, the fact remains that 29,000 Farmers are still waiting for their payments.

“These payments provide crucial financial support to Farmers and many simply cannot be left waiting to receive them.

“As I have said before, Farmers have bills to pay, especially this year when costs have been extremely high and these payments are heavily relied-upon.

“On receiving these figures initially via a Parliamentary Question, I raised the issue with the Minister when he was before our Agriculture Committee meeting last night. I again emphasised to him the need for action to ensure that the 29,000 BISS, ANC and Eco-scheme payments that are outstanding be paid urgently.

“These payments were already delayed by a month this year, so it is not good enough to have Farmers wait several more weeks for payments that they need now.

“I will continue to push for the Minister and his Department to revisit the current plan to make outstanding payments in December, and instead resume the processing of payments immediately.  

“Farmers have waited long enough and we now need to see outstanding payments issued without delay.”