Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2014
92. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will ensure that payment is made before Christmas 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48644/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1st September 2010 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
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 these checks in respect of the 2014 Scheme year it was discovered that two parcels of land included on the AEOS application of the person named were included on the SPS application of another herd owner.
The Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions claimed on these parcels on the AEOS application were therefore ineligible for payment under the AEOS scheme. As contracts under AEOS must run for at least five years, the payments which issued in respect of these parcels must now be recouped.
On the 25th November 2014, a letter issued to the person named setting out this decision and providing the option to submit an appeal within 10 days. To date, there is no record of an appeal having been received by officials in my Department. The file will now be processed on this basis with the intention of issuing balancing payment for 2014 as soon as possible.
