'Completely unacceptable': Carlow TD calls on government as farms face payment delays

Carlow Kilkenny TD, Kathleen Funchion has called on Minister McConalogue to take urgent action to avoid delays in farm payments to applicants across Carlow and Kilkenny.

The local TD said “I am being contacted by Farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny who are only now being made aware of delays to the payments as we are approaching September. Farmers will be expecting their payments to be made this month as usual and instead are now finding they are facing delays of up to a month, which will cause stress and worry for many."

There have been significant concerns raised by Farmers to the announced delay to Basic Income for Sustainability Scheme (BISS) and Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments this year.

Minister McConalogue has been made aware of these concerns since April, but to date no measures have been taken by the Department to ensure payments are made on time.

Funchion said “It has been made clear to the Minister that the announced change in payment date for the BISS and ANC schemes are completely unacceptable."