Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2012
202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payment will issue on an agri environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50664/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the 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.
The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 11 May 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were discovered in relation to Natura and Non Natura Commonages. As a result a letter issued to the person named dated 3 September 2012 detailing the nature of the penalty and offering the option to appeal the decision. However, following a review of the file officials in my Department have decided that the penalty is no longer applicable in this case and the application will now be further processed with the intention of issuing payment as soon as possible.
