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Single Payment Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 December 2013

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Questions (131, 132, 133, 134)

Martin Ferris

Question:

131. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that a single farm payment was made for land, for the years 2002 to 2004, inclusive, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [52117/13]

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Martin Ferris

Question:

132. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that only one applicant sought single farm payment for the years 2002 to 2004, inclusive, for a parcel of land (details supplied). [52118/13]

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Martin Ferris

Question:

133. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that more than one applicant sought a single farm payment for the years 2005 to 2009, inclusive, in respect of a parcel of land (details supplied). [52119/13]

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Martin Ferris

Question:

134. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the necessary steps required in order to claim a single farm payment for a land parcel for the years 2005 to 2009, inclusive, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [52120/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 134, inclusive, together.

The Single Payment Scheme commenced in 2005 and generally is applicable to farmers who actively farmed during all or any of the three reference years 2000, 2001, and 2002, and who were paid Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid payments in one or more of those years and for whom Single Payment entitlements were therefore established. In order to remain eligible, they, or their successors, must continue to farm. Other farmers, including new entrants to farming since the reference period, are also eligible for the Single Payment Scheme where they have received entitlements from the National Reserve or by way of a transfer.

In order to qualify for payment under the Single Farm Payment Scheme, an individual is required to submit a Single Payment Scheme application form each year, declaring one eligible hectare of land for each eligible SPS entitlement held. Applications were received from the person named under the Single Payment Scheme for years 2005 through to 2009, on which land parcel L12923018 was declared. Following validation of these applications, it transpired that this parcel was also claimed by another applicant and, following standard procedure, where both parties were requested to confirm their entitlement to claim the said parcel, it was confirmed that the person named did not have the right to claim this parcel and his applications were amended accordingly.

The person named subsequently availed of his right to pursue the matter through the Office of the Ombudsman. This course ultimately proved unsuccessful.

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