Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
873. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who appealed the decision of his Department in relation to the disadvantaged area payment scheme to the Independent Disadvantaged Areas Appeals Committee; the number of appeals decided to date; the number of these appeals that were successful and the number rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/13]
View answerA total of 1,433 farmers availed of their right to appeal to the DAS Appeals Committee.
A high percentage of applicants submitted supporting documentation with their appeals which had not previously been submitted to my Department, thus necessitating examination by my officials before the necessity to refer the appeals in question to the Appeals Committee could be confirmed. To date, some 1,008 cases have been reviewed by my officials, of which 406 have been accepted, on the basis of the fresh evidence provided, without the need to refer the appeals to the Committee. The balance, 602 cases, were referred to the Committee, with my Department’s decision to refuse the appeal being upheld in 354 cases, a further 191 being allowed, while the Committee sought further information in respect of 57 cases.
The balance of cases, 425 (i.e. 1,433 total appeals, less 1,008 dealt with as outlined above), are currently being processed. In all cases, applicants are being advised, in writing, of the outcome of their appeal.
