Just over one-third of farmers who accepted Hen Harrier Project contracts this year are waiting for their payment.

Some 629 contracts were accepted by farmers for the 2018 breeding season but 204 farmers have yet to be paid.

The figures came to light in response Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed made to a parliamentary question asked by Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill.

Limerick has 52 farmers waiting to be paid – the highest out of any county – followed by Kerry and Clare with 40 and 30 farmers waiting respectively.

“The Hen Harrier scheme is operationally independent of my Department and is run by a Hen Harrier Project team,” Minister Creed stated.

Under the terms of the scheme, farmers are limited on the types of farming enterprises they can undertake on land designated as containing hen harriers.

There have been some complaints from members of the farming community that these limitations have an adverse effect on farm value and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is currently finalising the draft Threat Response Plan for public consultation in regard to the hen harrier.