More than 100,000 farmers will start to receive their 50% Single Farm Payment advance from today (Thursday 16 October).

Just under €500m will start flowing into bank accounts before the weekend. Given the volume of money involved, it could be well into next week before the final payments land.

The amount of money going out is less than last year but that has more to do with the way the new CAP is implemented than progress by the Department on processing cases.

Farmers will be paid largely what they got in 2013. However, advance payments for farmers who get over €5,000 will be lower this year due to the way CAP reforms have been implemented.