Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
378. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will be made to farmers under the agri-environment options scheme, whose payments have been held up due to an ongoing investigation of a supplier of trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18681/15]
View answerA 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 initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation.
My Department plans to write to all participants with payments held shortly seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, in the amounts declared. Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed.
