Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013

Tuesday, 18 June 2013

Questions (435)

Michael Ring

Question:

435. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 588 of 28 May 2013 if he will explain the delay in the agri-environment option scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that on 19 April he stated, in a letter of response, that the Department was currently finalising the application and on 28 May he stated that payment will issue shortly and considering that this application has been on-going for many months and the delay in payment is causing extreme hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €833.33 and €4,999.99 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 the checking process in respect of the 2012 scheme year, issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. Full entitlements in respect of the 2012 scheme year have issued to the person named - 75% payment (Net of Penalty) totalling €3,710.44 issued on the 29th May and the balancing 25% payment totalling €1,249.99 issued on the 30th May 2013.