Some 9,000 farmers have yet to receive their GLAS payments. There are also some 2,500 farmers still waiting to receive their AEOS money.

McConalogue has called on the Department “to intervene to relieve the financial pressure many family farms are under as a result of these delays”.

“I am seriously concerned about the delays in these payments. I am meeting with farmers every week who are at the end of their tether as a result of the additional financial strain which has been placed on them as a result of the delays. These delays are unprecedented – and completely unacceptable,” the Donegal TD said on Friday.

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“Small family farms have taken a huge hit over the past number of years as a result of price volatility and cashflow problems, and these delays are exacerbating an already difficult situation.

“Minister Creed’s excuse that these delays are down to an IT issue are not holding any water with farmers. This is funding that should have been paid months ago.

“This Government cannot continue to treat small farmers like second class citizens. The Minister needs to stand up for these farmers instead of hiding behind feeble excuses.

“I am urging him to clear the backlog of delayed payments as a matter of urgency,” McConalogue said.

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Department spends €8.2m on IT, but farmers are still waiting on payments