Speaking at a general election special of Around the Editor’s Table on Thursday night, Minister Coveney said that over 99% of all farmers have now been paid under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

“We’ve paid now 123,700 in terms of their basic payment. There’s about 600 left – that’s over 99% who have been paid. (Regarding) the outstanding payments, some of them may require inspections, some of them may require extra information or conversations with the farmer to clarify things,” Coveney said.

Pledge

Five weeks ago, during an exclusive interview with the Irish Farmers Journal, Minister Coveney pledged to have all payments made with “two to three” weeks.

Five weeks on, there are still 600 farmers awaiting their BPS payment and 1,500 awaiting the National Reserve/Young Farmers Scheme payment – Minister Coveney said he has done all he can to ensure these people were paid.

“In relation to young farmers, there are 9,500 young farmers getting new payments from the National Reserve. Over 8,000 have now been paid; there are still 1,500 left,” Coveney said.

Work rate

“I have dramatically upped the hours and work rate with the Department. We now have two payment rounds per week; we would normally have one round every two weeks.

“Three weeks ago, we made a promise (to have all payments issued). I think the vast, vast majority (of farmers) have now been paid and the outstanding ones will be paid with the next few weeks. I understand the frustration and we have made mistakes this year – the phones system didn’t work as they should’ve worked,” Coveney added.

He also defended Ireland’s track record of issuing payments when compared with other European countries.

Sinn Féin

Responding to Minister Coveney, Sinn Féin MEP and director of elections for the general election Matt Carthy said that farmers have approached him and his party expressing concerns about delayed payments.

“They (farmers) are telling us quite clearly that they’re unhappy and that they’ve had lots of promises (regarding payments from the Department),” he said.

Fianna Fáil’s agriculture spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív and Michael McNamara of Labour were also in attendance.

Coveney defends payment record

Despite almost 1,500 young farmers still awaiting their Young Farmers scheme payment, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has defended his Department’s track record.