Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
101. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons behind ongoing delays in the issuing of basic income support for sustainability and areas of natural constraint payments to farmers, particularly in County Tipperary; the steps being taken to resolve processing backlogs and ensure timely payments going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35595/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. This commitment to farmers is evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers quickly and in line with the legal requirements of the relevant EU Regulation(s).
The 2024 payment dates for area-based schemes, which include the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme and the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme were
• September 18th, 2024 - ANC Advance payments commenced.
• October 16th, 2024 – BISS Advance payments commenced.
• December 2nd, 2024 – Balancing payments commenced.
Commitments under the Farmers' Charter required that
• 90% of eligible ANC applicants be paid by September 20th 2024
• 90% of eligible BISS applicants be paid by October 16th 2024
Both of these Farmers Charter commitments were met.
Currently, 100% of eligible applicants have been paid under the ANC and 99.6% have been paid under the BISS, with the majority of the unpaid BISS requiring the applicant and/or their agent to provide further information to allow payment to issue.
The planned 2025 payment dates for the Areas of Natural Constraints scheme and the Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme are
• September 17th, 2025 - ANC Advance payments commence.
• October 16th, 2025 – BISS Advance payments commence.
• December 1st, 2025 – Balancing payments commence
My Department expects to meet all Farmers' Charter commitments for these payments.
