Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Disadvantaged Area Payments Delayed

Published: 9 December, 2009

Belmullet, Sinn Fein Councillor, Rose Conway-Walsh is calling on Agriculture Minister, Brendan Smith, to sort out the delay in Disadvantaged Area Payments. "Many farmers who were asked to provide evidence of stocking levels for 2009 remain unpaid even though their payments have been approved." "I am told by the department that they have no money to make these payments and they have no indication when funds will be available."

"This is an appalling situation when farmers are waiting for this money to cope with one of the harshest winters in living memory." "Farmers have already lost 35% of their income this year". This is just another indication of Brendan Smiths and this governments inability to understand farming and the challenges faced by people living in rural Ireland." "Farm Families need the disadvantaged area payment due to them to be paid before Christmas." Cllr. Conway-Walsh concluded "This is like giving workers wage slips and then telling them there is no money to pay them."