Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 May 2013
343. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to expedite an application for agri-environment options scheme payment due to a farmer (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €830.24 and €4,928.07 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.
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 for the 2012 scheme year issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the application on this basis and I expect payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year to issue shortly.
