Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2015
161. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a site inspection for an agri-environment options scheme application for 2013 and 2014 (details supplied) will take place in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5194/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1 May 2013 and full entitlements have issued in respect of the 2013 Scheme year. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that three of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features. However, while the person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal on two separate occasions, firstly on 11 September 2013 and secondly on 12 June 2014, his appeal has only been received in the last few days, specifically on 26 January 2015.
Following the review of my Department’s decision, as sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground is now necessary. 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 4 weeks of the notification letter.
The AEOS application of the person named in respect of the 2014 Scheme year is currently being processed based on the reduced area and 75% payment will issue shortly. The balancing 25% payment will follow thereafter. Should the current SPS review result in a further adjustment to the 2014 parcel areas, any necessary adjustment to AEOS payments already issued will be made.
