Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 March 2015
75. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme and the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10603/15]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. Following the review of my Department’s decision, sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground is necessary. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible following the visit and their application updated accordingly.
Processing of the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application submitted by the person named has recently been completed with payment due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant shortly.
The person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013 and payment has issued in respect of the 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. The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection, during which non-compliances in relation to the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) were found, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. Officials are currently processing the application on the basis of the inspection findings and 75% payment in respect of the 2014 Scheme year, less the penalty, will issue shortly. The balancing 25% payment will follow thereafter.
