Final EUR40 Million Tranche Of Payments To Former Sugar Beet Growers

‘I am delighted that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, TD has announced the issuing of these payments, worth in excess of EUR40 million", explained Minister of State Killeen.

The Clare T.D. explained, "The payments, under the Retroactive Restructuring Scheme, are designed to help compensate former sugar beet growers for the closure of their industry. The payments are the last element of the total compensation package arising from the closure of the Irish sugar industry – in addition to the EUR123 million payable to growers under the Single Payment Scheme in the period 2006 to 2012."

The payments now being made to former sugar beet growers are in addition to those payments already made last year and earlier this year to growers under (a) the Restructuring element of the reform package, worth approximately EUR12 million and (b) the Diversification element, worth approximately EUR44 million.

"Furthermore, payments totalling EUR5.8 million were also made last year and earlier this year to machinery contractors for the loss in value of specialised machinery", concluded Minister of State Killeen.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900