Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2011
259 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when agri-environment options scheme payments for 2010 will be made; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20603/11]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. I expect that payments to participants in the scheme in respect of the first year will commence in August and that payments in respect of year two will commence in October. I am working with my officials to bring the payments forward if at all possible as I can understand the need for expediency.
