Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2014
154. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when moneys due under the single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/14]
View answerWhile the closing date for receipt of applications under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was 15 May 2013, there was a 25-day period after 15 May for the acceptance of late applications, subject to a cumulative penalty of 1% per working day. Applications received on or after 10 June 2013 were subject to a 100% penalty and were, therefore, ineligible for payment under the 2013 Scheme. The closing date and the period for receipt of late applications was clearly outlined in the copy of the Terms and Conditions provided to all Scheme participants, including the person named.
The application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received on 17 June 2013. The person named was informed in writing date 3 July that, as the application was received after the final date for receipt of applications, a 100% penalty would be applied.
The person named appealed this decision on the grounds that he was out of the country during the period 14 May to 14 June 2013. In rejecting the appeal, it was noted that the pre-printed 2013 application form and copy of the Terms and Conditions issued to him on 8 March 2013, thereby allowing more than adequate time to submit the application before he left the country on 14 May 2013. The person named was also advised of his right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office at that time. The person named subsequently availed of this opportunity, an appeal being received in that Office on 28 January 2014. That Office will be in direct contact with the person named in due course.
