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11/08/2004
DARD promises moves on outstanding Subsidy Balance Payments
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has announced that it is implementing further measures to enable the release of outstanding subsidy balance payments to farmers.
Government officials have blamed the delay in processing these payments on continuing industrial action by some members of NIPSA who work in the Department. Since industrial action by NIPSA started on May 12, subsidy balance payments of around £45 million have been made, but around £11.6 million in pending payments remains outstanding.
DARD say that arrangements being introduced should enable the majority of the outstanding payments to around 400 farm businesses to be dealt with during August, with the remainder being cleared in early September. Payments should start to reach producers by the end of the week commencing August 16.
In the absence of the computer payment program required to calculate the payments automatically, the Department has decided to resort to a manual process which will provide an approximation to the final position. The Department intends to write to each farmer affected to explain the approach in more detail.
Finalisation of the exact amounts due will only be possible when the current industrial action ends. Producers will then be advised of their final position and any balance still due will be paid.
Pat Toal, DARD Permanent Secretary said: "This arrangement will enable the bulk of the remaining money due to be released. Without the automated computer program, the process will take some weeks to complete, but every effort will be made to get the monies outstanding paid as rapidly as possible."
(SP)
Government officials have blamed the delay in processing these payments on continuing industrial action by some members of NIPSA who work in the Department. Since industrial action by NIPSA started on May 12, subsidy balance payments of around £45 million have been made, but around £11.6 million in pending payments remains outstanding.
DARD say that arrangements being introduced should enable the majority of the outstanding payments to around 400 farm businesses to be dealt with during August, with the remainder being cleared in early September. Payments should start to reach producers by the end of the week commencing August 16.
In the absence of the computer payment program required to calculate the payments automatically, the Department has decided to resort to a manual process which will provide an approximation to the final position. The Department intends to write to each farmer affected to explain the approach in more detail.
Finalisation of the exact amounts due will only be possible when the current industrial action ends. Producers will then be advised of their final position and any balance still due will be paid.
Pat Toal, DARD Permanent Secretary said: "This arrangement will enable the bulk of the remaining money due to be released. Without the automated computer program, the process will take some weeks to complete, but every effort will be made to get the monies outstanding paid as rapidly as possible."
(SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
