Written Answers Nos. 564-575
564. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding all single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52342/12]
View answerA 2012 Single Farm Payment Application was received on 30 April 2012 from the person named. He subsequently submitted an amendment form, the processing of which has now been fully completed. Payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account.
565. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal to the disadvantaged area appeals committee in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52382/12]
View answerThe appeal of the person named was recently forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; immediately that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of their decision, in writing.
566. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme 2011 payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52389/12]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first 4 years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
567. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an organic farming scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52393/12]
View answerThe person named submitted an application to join the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) in May 2012.
The Organic Farming Scheme is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion for 2012 Organic Farming Scheme applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
568. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will approve a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52402/12]
View answerREPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
569. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal to the disadvantaged area appeal committee in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52405/12]
View answerWhile the person named submitted an application for derogation, the supporting documentation, which the person named had indicated would be provided, has yet to be received by my Department. Immediately the documentation in question is furnished, the application in question will be reviewed and the person named notified of the decision, in writing.
570. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an appeal to the disadvantaged area appeals committee in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52406/12]
View answerThe person named is one of a number, their derogation application having been unsuccessful, who were offered the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. To date, this option has not been availed. Should the applicant choose to appeal, her this will be referred to the DAS Appeals Committee.
571. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding funding in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52466/12]
View answerThe person named is one of a number, their derogation application having been unsuccessful, who were offered the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. To date, this option has not been availed of. Should the applicant now choose to appeal, this will be referred to the DAS Appeals Committee.
572. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment options scheme payment appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52505/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010.
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 12 May 2011. During this inspection, issues of non-compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme were noted in relation to Tree Planting Standard and the Coppicing of Hedgerows which resulted in a penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named informing him of this penalty and giving him the option to appeal the decision. An appeal was lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office and an oral hearing took place. Officials in the Agriculture Appeals Office are currently reviewing the case. Once a decision has been reached the person named will be notified of the result and the application will be further processed.
573. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding REP scheme payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52538/12]
View answerREPS 4 is a measure under the 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
574. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding national reserve entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52541/12]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2012 National Reserve. The 2012 National Reserve caters for farmers who commenced farming after 17 May 2010. Applicants are required to submit a 2012 Single Payment application form detailing all lands which they are currently farming. In addition, applicants are required to meet certain criteria with regard to income limits and educational qualifications. Off-farm income cannot exceed €30,000 and total income, including farm income, cannot exceed €40,000. Applicants must have obtained a FETAC Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture or its equivalent. The green certificate in farming is regarded as equivalent for this purpose.
The person named was deemed ineligible as he does not hold the necessary farming qualification. The National Reserve is a scarce resource and applicants must therefore fulfil all of the eligibility criteria before an allocation can be made.
Funds in the National Reserve are very limited and the Reserve is only replenished by the value of entitlements that remain unused. Where the value of unused entitlements at the end of 2012 is insufficient to meet the requirements of all eligible applicants under the 2012 National Reserve, a linear cut will be applied to the allocation of successful applicants. It is important therefore that available funds are directed at young trained farmers. This matter was thoroughly considered by the Single Payment advisory Committee comprising members of the main farming organisations, Teagasc and officials from my Department who recommended that this change be introduced.
It is for the reasons stated above that, regrettably, an exception cannot be made in these circumstances.
575. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the disadvantaged area scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52562/12]
View answerAs the holding of the person named has recently been confirmed as satisfying the stocking density criteria of the 2012 Scheme, payment will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account.
