Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 November 2012
174. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that no genuine farmers are excluded under the unfair retrospective 0.3u/ha stocking rate criteria in respect of the disadvantaged area scheme and that the appeals system works effectively and that no payments are held up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52024/12]
View answerWhen, for budgetary reasons, it became necessary to make changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, I ensured that the available resources were targeted at those who best met the overall objectives of the Scheme.
However, at the same time, I ensured that provision would be made for those farmers, adversely affected by the revised stocking density requirement, to apply for derogation on the basis of specific verifiable reasons. Furthermore, provision has also been made for an independent appeals process, in order that those, whose applications are not successful, may be afforded the opportunity to appeal my Department’s decision. To this end, an independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee has been constituted and has recently commenced work. Every effort is being made to clear outstanding cases as quickly as possible.
