Written Answers Nos. 96-102
96. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider the requirement that 50% of farmers on a commonage must agree to sign up to a management plan to participate in the GLAS scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this requirement is creating an unnecessary hurdle for farmers, preventing many from joining the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46606/14]
View answerI am aware that some commonage farmers have concerns regarding the proposed implementation of commonage management plans in the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS). In response to the reservations expressed by farmers representatives on this particular point, I revised the minimum participation rate downwards from 80% to 50%. I think it is particularly important to point out that the 50% requirement will be based on active farmers only i.e. those actually grazing the commonage. To give an example, if there are 20 shareholders on a commonage, and 15 are claiming shares under the Single Payment Scheme, but only 10 of those are actively grazing the land at present, the 50% requirement to trigger priority access to GLAS is just 5 farmers. I believe that 50% participation is the minimum required to achieve the best agri-environmental results for the commonages. I also believe that it represents an achievable target but again, in response to concerns raised by farmers representatives, where real difficulties are encountered, I have already said that the farmers who are having a difficulty in reaching the 50% can approach the Commonage Implementation Committee for advice and assistance.
I met this week with a number of farmers who expressed concerns regarding the commonage management plans. While I have addressed certain elements of these concerns, I am reviewing their submission in the context of the threshold for environmental action which must be demonstrated in order to receive GLAS approval at EU level.
97. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the position regarding a 2013 area aid payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46621/14]
View answerThe areas declared by the person named were reviewed as part of the comprehensive review of all land parcel data maintained on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System and over-claims totalling 2.14 hectares were identified, which represented in excess of 20% of the area determined in 2013. The person named had received a payment of €1,799.81 on 2 October 2013 under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme, which, due to the findings of the assessment, was deemed to be over-paid. Therefore, this amount was recouped from the 2014 Disadvantaged Area Scheme payment due to the applicant.
My Department carried out a further review of this case in advance of a ground verification check to be carried out to verify the position on the ground. The outcome of this review was that the level of over-claims was reduced to 1.69 hectares, which represented 9.9% of the area determined, which resulted in a refund of €1,313.14 now payable under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme. This amount will issue shortly to the applicant.
The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible following the visit. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this verification check, the decision can be appealed to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee within four weeks of the date of issue of the notification letter.
98. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set down his views on matters (details supplied) regarding late payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46628/14]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment /Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named on 14 May 2013. The application was processed and finalised with an advance Single Payment issuing on 16th October 2013 and balancing Single Payment issuing on 2nd December 2013. A full Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment issued on 24th September 2013. All payments issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. An application under the 2014 Single Payment /Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named on 13 May 2014. Processing of this application has recently been finalised with payments under both schemes to issue shortly directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in respect of land parcels declared which required digitisation. This is being dealt with by my Department at present and once that process is completed, the application will be processed with a view to making payment in respect of 2013 at the earliest opportunity.
99. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the single farm payment scheme and the disadvantaged area based scheme for 2011 to 2014, inclusive, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46683/14]
View answerPayment due under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme and 2011 Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued under the joint herd number of the person named and the deceased. My Department is currently examining the entitlement of the person named and the estate of the deceased for subsequent years. The person named did not lodge an application under the 2012 Schemes nor did he declare any land under the 2013 Schemes but did lodge an application in 2014. When the position in relation to the estate has been established, a review will be undertaken to determine if payment can be made.
100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain the reason for the delay in processing a payment under the single farm payment and disadvantaged area schemes in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46684/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 15 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The EU Regulations also require that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available satellite imagery, a field inspection must be undertaken to verify the eligibility of the land.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. Initial processing of this inspection identified a requirement to verify the eligibility of land declared by means of a field inspection. On completion of this inspection the results will be 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 be in contact with the person named.
101. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the reason for the delay in processing the remainder of a payment under the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46685/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013 and has received 75% payment in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 29th April 2014. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the Terms and Condition of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. The person named was informed of the penalty and the appeal options and as no appeal was received, the application was processed for payment on the basis of the inspection findings. The balancing 25% payment (net of penalty) will issue shortly.
102. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive farm payments; the reasons for the delay in processing the claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46691/14]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 7 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The EU Regulations also require that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available satellite imagery, a field inspection must be undertaken to verify the eligibility of the land.
The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing inspection. Initial processing of this inspection identified a requirement to verify the eligibility of land declared by means of a field inspection. On completion of this inspection the results will be 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 be in contact with the person named.
