Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
337. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments under the 2014 single payment scheme and the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11352/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas scheme application on 3 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 application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection.
The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of over 50% under the Single Payment Scheme. Based on the terms and conditions of this scheme this resulted in no payment being due in respect of the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments. The person named was notified of this decision by letter dated 20 January 2015. The determined over-declaration resulted in a reduced payment under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 7 January 2015.
A review of the outcome of the inspection by my Department determined that a field visit was required to verify the position on the ground. The results of this field visit are currently being finalised and the person named will be notified of the outcome of the field visit and of their right to seek a review as soon as possible.
