Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
560. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 5 March 2013, the reason the review submitted to his Department on 28 January 2013 has not taken place; if the earlier response is his Department's final position; if the applicant can now appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/13]
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. During these checks an overclaim was identified in relation to claimed areas on the Natura action which will result in a penalty being applied. Also the person named requested the withdrawal of an action from their application which will result in a further penalty of 10% on their 2011 payment.
To date, 75% payment totalling €555.11 in respect of the 2011 scheme year issued on 17 April 2013. A review of the 10% penalty was carried out as a result of documentation which was received in my Department on 28 January 2013. This review resulted in the original decision to apply the 10% penalty being upheld. A letter has issued to the person named informing her of this and giving the option to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The balancing 25% payment (net of penalty) will issue shortly. Payments in respect of the 2012 scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. Following the payment for 2011, this process will get under way in respect of 2012.
