Dan Neville
Question:947. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [46814/13]
View answerSingle Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (947)
Written answers
Processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed over-claims in respect of three of the land parcels declared by the person named. The person named was recently notified of this error by letter. Maps of the relevant land parcels and information on how the person named could seek a review of this decision were included with the letter. To date, no response has been received.
In the meantime, payments have recently issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on the revised eligible area. Should the person named appeal the decision regarding the over-claims and should that appeal be successful, then supplementary payments will, of course, be made.
Land Parcel Identification System
Questions (948, 949, 950, 951)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:948. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of the 950,000 land parcels that have been reviewed to date as part of the EU ordered review of land parcels going back to 2008; the number of these that have over-claims assessed; the number of herd owners in question; when will the review be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46825/13]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:949. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average percentage over-claim assessed against herd owners in the national review of land parcels for agricultural schemes ordered by the EU; the average disallowance or penalties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46826/13]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:950. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals lodged to date against over-claims assessed against herd owners as part of the EU-ordered review of land parcels; when it is hoped to finalise these appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46827/13]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:951. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of the loss of EU funding that would have been incurred here if it had not been agreed to review the total 950,000 land parcels that are at present being reviewed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46828/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 948 to 951, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be fully aware of the importance of payments made under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes to the annual income of Irish farmers. My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which underpins the processing of applications under these Schemes as well as REPS and AEOS.
At the start of each year, my Department issued colour maps of all land parcels declared by farmers in the previous year together with a covering letter. In that letter, farmers are reminded to examine each map carefully and to identify and exclude from their application all ineligible features such as buildings, farmyards, scrub, roadways, forests, lakes etc. included in the land parcels. There is, therefore, an onus on all farmers to ensure that the area of land declared by them as eligible for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes is accurate. They are also given the means to do so by making the ortho-photos available to them on an annual basis. These requirements are also made clear in the Terms and Conditions of the Schemes, which accompanies the pre-printed application form issued to all farmers at the commencement of the application period each year.
In addition to any changes submitted by farmers, in order to insure the integrity of the LPIS, my Department continuously reviews the eligibility of lands claimed by farmers for the Single Payment Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes.
As part of the clearance process a bi-lateral meeting was held on 25th July between the EU Commission Clearance auditors and my Department. At that meeting it was agreed that in order to avoid a significant correction, this Department had to (i) review its entire LPIS database and deal with ineligible features – re-digitise – (ii) establish any over-payments due to the over-declaration and seek refund from the farmers involved (iii) prepare a report of its findings to the Commission by 15th December.
Depending on the level of risk assessed by the EU Commission financial corrections may be applied to a Member State. These corrections can be very substantial and may vary from 2% to 10% or even 100% in certain cases. It can, therefore, be appreciated that the financial risk is very significant. Other Member States who have been subject to this review process have been levied with very substantial financial corrections, up to €500 million in one instance.
This is a mammoth task but my Department is making effort to ensure that it will be completed in a manner that satisfies the Commission. The Department is currently reviewing all land parcels claimed. This effectively means a review of all 950,000 land parcels. As a result of this phase of this review, any payments made to farmers in respect of claimed areas, which were found to be ineligible, must be reimbursed. The Review of the 950,000 parcels contained on the LPIS database is at an advanced stage and is on target to be finalised in time. It is not possible, as yet, to give detailed results.
I have introduced a robust and comprehensive appeal process. In the first instance, applicants are entitled to have their case reviewed by submitting their appeal on the form provided by my Department. If they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they can appeal their case to the independent-chaired Land Eligibility Appeals Committee, details of which I announced recently. This Committee will consist of an independent Chairman and appeals officers from the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (952)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:952. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2013 disadvantaged areas based scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46829/13]
View answerWritten answers
Payment has not yet issued to the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements, namely the annual average requirement. As soon as the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
Agriculture Schemes Payments
Questions (953, 954)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:953. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the alleged over-claim for the years 2008 to 2013, inclusive, against a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the percentage of over-claim; the total claw-back under REPS, disadvantaged area based scheme and the single farm payment scheme; the way in which this over-claim was calculated in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46830/13]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:954. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2013 disadvantaged area based scheme and the single farm payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46831/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 953 and 954 together.
My Department is currently examining land parcels declared for the purposes of benefiting from payment under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review a number of ineligible features were identified in parcels submitted in the application of the person named. My Department will now review the basis for this original decision and will be in direct contact with the person named.
Single Payment Scheme Eligibility
Questions (955)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:955. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area based payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46832/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently examining land parcels declared for the purposes of benefiting from payment under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review a number of ineligible features were removed from the parcels declared by the person named. The ineligible features relate to scrub and a number of buildings.
As the area over claimed was 29.15% of the eligible area found, the penalty applied resulted in a 100% overpayment for the year 2013 and therefore no payment is due to issue. The person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal to my Department. In the event that he is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review he can appeal his case to the independent-chaired Land Eligibility Appeals Committee, details of which I announced recently. This Committee will consist of an independent Chairman and appeals officers from the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Cattle Identification Scheme
Questions (956)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:956. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the production of cattle tags here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46833/13]
View answerWritten answers
The contract referred to by the Deputy was awarded on foot of a public procurement competition for the provision of bovine animal identification tags and birth registration documents held in 2012. The Request for Tenders (RFT) facilitated a range of business operators to participate in this competition by providing for entities to join together in a consortium to satisfy the requirements of the RFT.
The RFT asked applicants to demonstrate that they had an overall turnover of a minimum of €3 million for each of the last three preceding years. The selection of the turnover figure, which was not restricted to the sale of cattle tags, was influenced by the obligation on the Department to ensure that the successful contractor would have the financial standing to undertake all of the deliverables set down in the contract for the duration of this significant contract including, inter alia, provision of conventional, electronic and tissue tags, processing tag orders, supplying at least 2 million tag sets, replacement tags and registration forms and operating a helpdesk.
I should emphasise that the implementation of an effective and reputable identification system plays a key role in underpinning beef and dairy exports in a competitive marketplace.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (957)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:957. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area based payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46834/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 29 April 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of the schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results finalised.
Payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 29 October 2013.
Sea Lice Controls
Questions (958)
Finian McGrath
Question:958. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No.1186 of 18 September 2013, the reason the European Commission is currently reviewing the issue of the management of sea lice; if the matter is closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46853/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has been requested by the EU Commission to forward information associated with the State’s management of sea lice. This is currently in hand and a detailed response will issue to the Commission very shortly.
In relation to Pilot Complaint 764/09/ENVI, as previously indicated to the Deputy, following consideration of the scientific facts underpinning the State’s control protocols for the management of sea lice the EU Commission closed the case on 11 October 2012. Accordingly, my Department regards this matter as settled.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (959)
Pat Breen
Question:959. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment for 2013 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46866/13]
View answerWritten answers
Payment in respect of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 25 October 2013.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (960)
John O'Mahony
Question:960. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/13]
View answerWritten answers
An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 May 2013. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payments will shortly issue directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments
Questions (961)
John O'Mahony
Question:961. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their agri-environment option scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46873/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013.
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. These checks are well under way and I anticipate that payments for the AEOS 3 will commence in the first quarter of 2014.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (962)
John O'Mahony
Question:962. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46895/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted an application to transfer 11.99 single payment entitlements, by way of sale, to another farmer under the 2013 scheme year.
It has not been possible to facilitate the transfer request as the other farmer has failed to supply outstanding documentation required. To date my Department have written on three occasions requesting the necessary information. An official from my Department has also made direct contact with the other farmer outlining our requirements.
Upon receipt of the outstanding documentation the transfer will be completed and payment will issue to the person named.
Single Payment Scheme Administration
Questions (963, 964)
Michael Lowry
Question:963. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarification on the exact number of farmers who have been contacted as part of the claw-back on single farm payments from the ongoing land parcel eligibility review; the total sum being sought from farmers by his Department to date; the number of farmers in County Tipperary who have been contacted in this regard; and the total sum being recouped from farmers in County Tipperary. [46937/13]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:964. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarification on the scale of the claw-back currently being undertaken on single farm payments as a result of the ongoing land parcel eligibility review; if he will confirm the years being reviewed, if he will provide an assurance that a ceiling will be put on the years being examined; his views on whether this review is fair on farmers here in view of the fact that the information provided was done so using the best technology available at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46938/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together.
The Deputy will be fully aware of the importance of payments made under the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes to the annual income of Irish farmers. My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which underpins the processing of applications under these Schemes as well as REPS and AEOS.
At the start of each year, my Department issues colour maps of all land parcels declared by farmers in the previous year together with a covering letter. In that letter, farmers are reminded to examine each map carefully and to identify and exclude from their application all ineligible features such as buildings, farmyards, scrub, roadways, forests, lakes etc. included in the land parcels. There is, therefore, an onus on all farmers to ensure that the area of land declared by them as eligible for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes is accurate. They are also given the means to do so by making the ortho-photos available to them on an annual basis. These requirements are also made clear in the Terms and Conditions of the Schemes, which accompanies the pre-printed application form issued to all farmers at the commencement of the application period each year.
In addition to any changes submitted by farmers, in order to insure the integrity of the LPIS, my Department continuously reviews the eligibility of lands claimed by farmers for the Single Payment Scheme and other Direct Payment Schemes.
As part of the clearance of account process, conducted by the EU Commission, a bi-lateral meeting was held on 25th July between the EU Commission Clearance auditors and my Department. At that meeting it was agreed that in order to avoid a significant correction, this Department had to (i) review its entire LPIS database and deal with ineligible features – re-digitise – (ii) establish any over-payments due to the over-declaration and seek refund from the farmers involved and (iii) prepare a report of its findings to the Commission by 15th December. Depending on the level of risk assessed by the EU Commission financial corrections may be applied to a Member State. These corrections can be very substantial and may vary from 2% to 10% or even 100% in certain cases. It can, therefore, be appreciated that the financial risk is very significant. Other Member States who have been subject to this review process have been levied with very substantial financial corrections, up to €500 million in one instance.
This is a mammoth task but my Department is making effort to ensure that it will be completed in a manner that satisfies the Commission. The Department is currently reviewing all land parcels claimed. This effectively means a review of all 950,000 land parcels. As a result of this phase of this review, any payments made to farmers in respect of claimed areas, which were found to be ineligible, must be reimbursed. The Review of the 950,000 parcels contained on the LPIS database is well advanced at this stage and is on target to be finalised in time to allow a comprehensive response to the Commission within the specified time-frame.
I have introduced a robust and comprehensive appeal process. In the first instance, applicants are entitled to have their case reviewed by submitting their appeal on the form provided by my Department. If they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they can appeal their case to the independent-chaired Land Eligibility Appeals Committee, details of which I announced recently. This Committee will consist of an independent Chairman and appeals officers from the Agriculture Appeals Office.
County-specific statistics will be available immediately the exercise is completed.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (965)
Brendan Griffin
Question:965. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a headage payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46941/13]
View answerWritten answers
The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 10 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility
Questions (966)
Paul Connaughton
Question:966. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway did not receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46998/13]
View answerWritten answers
Applicants under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are required to maintain a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the 12 months of the scheme year. Livestock must be owned, possessed, held and maintained by the person named in order to meet the minimum stocking level. While the person named had livestock on the holding they were only retained for six months. As a result the person named does not qualify for payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
Single Payment Scheme Payments
Questions (967, 968)
John O'Mahony
Question:967. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47000/13]
View answerJohn O'Mahony
Question:968. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47008/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 967 and 968 together.
The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 10 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.