Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
350. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding his Department’s investigation into payments under the non-productive capital investments element of the agri-environment options scheme, considering that the delay in issuing a payment in respect of year 3 of the scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is causing financial hardship; and when this matter will be finalised. [15307/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) which included a non-productive capital investment element. A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS, was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then commenced and my Department wrote to each of the applicants who have had their payment deferred on 28 January to explain the situation.
The matter has now been referred to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and decisions on individual cases cannot be made until the investigation is progressed further.
