Seven thousands farm households are still waiting on their Disadvantaged Area Scheme (DAS) payment.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney confirmed that there are 7,079 farmers still awaiting payment, which commenced in September.

Minister Coveney said issues such as retention rates need to be addressed before payments can be made to these farmers.

“Payment will not issue to all of the cases above, as certain holdings will not satisfy the retention rates for the scheme as set out in the terms and conditions that govern the scheme,” Minister Coveney said, responding to a parliamentary question from Roscommon/south Leitrim TD Denis Naughten.

Mayo (1,085), Donegal (911) and Galway (835) have the highest number of cases of unpaid DAS payments.

Deputy Naughten said it is unfair that these farmers are going without this crucial payment in the runup to Christmas.

“Famers are forced to carry the cost of delayed payments, many of whom require payments to meet loans and other bills,” Naughten said.

“While many of these hold-ups are due to relatively minor mapping issues, the delay will cause severe financial hardship for many farm families on the eve of Christmas. In such cases, an interim payment should be issued to farmers, which will at least help tide them over the difficult Christmas period,” Naughten added.