The average direct payment received in 2017 was €9,718, according to the Common Agricultural Policy beneficiaries figures released last week.

In total, Ireland received just over €1.2bn in direct payments, while it received €1.6bn in CAP money overall.

The amounts shown refer to the financial year 2017, payments received during the period 16 October 2016 to 15 October 2017. With the European Commission CAP 2020 plans unveiled last week, it is interesting to note that 1,057 Basic Payment Scheme applicants received over €60,000 (see map).

Two farms in which Larry Goodman and members of his family are directors appear in the list of top 10 direct payments recipients. Co-founders of Dawn Meats, John and Peter Queally, are also there alongside Walter Furlong of Cooney Furlong grain merchants in Wexford.

Corporate entities

Some of the highest single amounts of money went to corporate entities.

Teagasc received almost €2.7m across all its sites, most of which were direct payments but some through Rural Development Programme schemes.

Bord Bia received €1.8m through the schools fruit, vegetable and milk measure and €1m for aid for the fruit and vegetable sector. Ornua received €565,000 in aid for private storage and Glanbia €19,000.

The National Dairy Council received €223,200.65 under the aid for the fruit and vegetable measure.

Animal Health Ireland received almost €690,000. RSK ADAS Ltd, a UK agri and environmental consultancy business, received €343,000 under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Economic research company Indecon also received €219,000 of EAFRD money.

On the Irish list there are a number of recipients from outside the Republic also. These may be claiming on land they have in the Republic but their address is registered elsewhere. There are nearly 300 recipients with an address in Northern Ireland, who received over €2.8m for land in the Republic.

A further half a million goes to people outside the island of Ireland.

In most counties, the relevant county council was the largest recipient of CAP funds. For example, in Cork, the Local Community Development Committee received €358,000 and the county council received €265,000 under the Leader quality of life and diversification measure.