Written Answers Nos. 386-402
386. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive a payment under the agri-environment options scheme; the reason for the delay; the reason farmers were informed, in reply to questions in Dáil Éireann, that payment would be made as soon as possible when no payment has yet issued as of mid-May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20101/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013.
The application of the person named was selected for an on-farm inspection in 2014, during which non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted and penalties were applied. Where penalties have been imposed under the scheme, they must be deducted and recorded electronically, to ensure full compatibility with all EU regulations and to provide an enhanced audit trail. Payment was made as soon as the new functionality became available.
The first instalment of the 2014 payment issued on 15 May 2015 and the balance issued on 20 May 2015. There are no outstanding payments due on this contract.
387. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive the remainder of a payment for 2013 and a payment for 2014 under the agri-environment options scheme; the reason for the delay; the reason farmers were informed, in reply to questions in Dáil Éireann, that payment would be made as soon as possible when no payment has yet issued as of mid-May 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20102/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 agri-environment options scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013.
The application of the person named was selected for an on-farm inspection in 2014, during which non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted and penalties were applied. Where penalties have been imposed under AEOS, the y must be deducted and recorded electronically, to ensure full compatibility with all EU regulations and to provide an enhanced audit trail. Payment was made as soon as the new functionality was available.
The balance of the 2013 payment issued on 18/5/15 and the 2014 advance payment will issue this week.
388. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options that are open to a person who missed out on a single payment in 2013, because a herd number was not transferred in time for the 2013 deadline following the death of a parent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20104/15]
View answerPersons who have been negatively impacted by circumstances beyond their control may submit an application for such force majeure circumstances to be taken into account when assessing their eligibility to participate in the Basic Payment Scheme. Circumstances covered by force majeure include the death of the farmer. The force majeure application is available on the Department’s website at www.agfood.ie.
Further information on force majeure option may be obtained by contacting the CAP Advisory Centre at 0761 064438 or by email at CAPdirectpayments@agriculture.gov.ie.
389. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the 2013 single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20122/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 15 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm/Nitrates inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes.
The person named was the subject of a Nitrates inspection on 27 March 2013, carried out by my Department on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. This inspection identified non-compliances with the cross-compliance requirements under the Nitrates Regulations relating to clean water from sheds being allowed to flow onto soiled yards adding to the volume of soiled water. This soiled water was being collected in a slurry lagoon which was only partially floored and was overflowing on the date of inspection leading to direct and indirect discharge to ground water.
As similar breaches under the Nitrates Regulations had been identified within the previous three years, the regulatory provisions required that the rules on reoccurrence be applied and this resulted in a penalty of 60% being applied against the 2013 Direct Schemes payments.
The person named was notified of this decision on 31 January 2014. The person named sought a review which was considered by the District Inspector, the outcome of which was to uphold the original decision. The person named was notified of this on 19 August 2014 and informed of the right to appeal the matter to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months. I understand that to date no such request has been received.
390. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the terms and conditions of the beef data and genomics scheme, in view of the farmer dissatisfaction with the terms and conditions of the scheme; if he will extend the closing date for applications of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20126/15]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and will provide suckler farmers in Ireland with funding of some €300 million over the next 6 years. The BDGP builds on the investment in data recording and genomics in recent years, and will ultimately bring about long-term improvements to the sector by fundamentally improving the genetic quality of the beef herd.
The BDGP was launched on 5 May and to date my Department has received in almost 13,000 applications. The scheme will close to applications on 29 May so as to begin implementing the various elements of the Programme and to ensure payments to farmers commence later this year. The BDGP builds on the schemes operated by my Department in recent years and all of the actions will already be familiar to most farmers entering the scheme, including the data recording elements and the genotyping requirements.
I am aware of concerns expressed by some farmers, a number of which are fuelled by a misunderstanding of the programme's terms and conditions in this regard. Both my Department and the ICBF have published Questions and Answers documents to address queries being raised by farmers. I also issued some updated information on the contents of the scheme last week, particularly as regards the 6-year requirement and the penalties which apply under the scheme. In addition, farmers can consult the Department’s website for more information and I would encourage them to contact the Department’s helpline if they have any further questions.
I have, of course, already indicated that the programme will be subject to a mid-term review. I will monitor its operation in the meantime and make appropriate adjustments where possible in consultation with the commission in a manner consistent with the regulations.
391. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the number of farmers who had penalties imposed against them as a result of the land parcel identification system review 2008 to 2013 under the single payment scheme and disadvantaged areas scheme; the number who had overclaims of less than 3%; more than 3% and under 20%; more than 20% and under 50%; and over 50%; the number who had multi-annual penalties imposed against them in each group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20128/15]
View answerThe information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is available.
392. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the number of farmers who had penalties imposed on them under the 2014 single farm payment scheme and disadvantaged areas scheme; the number who had overclaim of less than 3%; more than 3% and less than 20%; between 20% and 50%; and over 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20129/15]
View answerThe details as requested by the Deputy are set out in the tables.
2014 Single Payment Scheme
|
- |
Total Over claims |
0-3% |
under 3% over 2ha |
3-20% |
20%-50% |
>50% |
|
CARLOW |
90 |
77 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
|
CAVAN |
197 |
155 |
0 |
34 |
5 |
3 |
|
CLARE |
428 |
287 |
3 |
127 |
6 |
5 |
|
CORK |
984 |
754 |
3 |
202 |
9 |
16 |
|
DONEGAL |
507 |
358 |
4 |
127 |
5 |
13 |
|
DUBLIN |
27 |
15 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
|
GALWAY |
729 |
518 |
5 |
151 |
33 |
22 |
|
KERRY |
510 |
383 |
10 |
92 |
11 |
14 |
|
KILDARE |
140 |
114 |
1 |
19 |
3 |
3 |
|
KILKENNY |
241 |
206 |
3 |
27 |
2 |
3 |
|
LAOIS |
191 |
156 |
2 |
28 |
3 |
2 |
|
LEITRIM |
239 |
177 |
0 |
51 |
5 |
6 |
|
LIMERICK |
195 |
145 |
2 |
37 |
5 |
6 |
|
LONGFORD |
106 |
88 |
0 |
15 |
2 |
1 |
|
LOUTH |
56 |
44 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
|
MAYO |
690 |
492 |
3 |
149 |
23 |
23 |
|
MEATH |
137 |
113 |
0 |
16 |
6 |
2 |
|
MONAGHAN |
185 |
130 |
0 |
46 |
2 |
7 |
|
OFFALY |
185 |
155 |
0 |
24 |
3 |
3 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
218 |
155 |
1 |
47 |
8 |
7 |
|
SLIGO |
224 |
153 |
0 |
56 |
9 |
6 |
|
TIPPERARY |
397 |
347 |
6 |
37 |
3 |
4 |
|
WATERFORD |
102 |
78 |
2 |
21 |
0 |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
174 |
139 |
2 |
25 |
3 |
5 |
|
WEXFORD |
224 |
197 |
2 |
18 |
3 |
4 |
|
WICKLOW |
169 |
118 |
9 |
31 |
4 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
7,345 |
5,554 |
59 |
1,406 |
156 |
170 |
2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
|
- |
Total Over claims |
Cases < 3% |
3-20% |
20%-50% |
>50% |
|
CARLOW |
36 |
23 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
|
CAVAN |
171 |
120 |
41 |
3 |
7 |
|
CLARE |
306 |
186 |
105 |
11 |
4 |
|
CORK |
422 |
237 |
152 |
17 |
16 |
|
DONEGAL |
475 |
268 |
175 |
17 |
15 |
|
DUBLIN |
18 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
|
GALWAY |
636 |
408 |
176 |
26 |
26 |
|
KERRY |
331 |
219 |
88 |
12 |
12 |
|
KILDARE |
23 |
16 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
KILKENNY |
84 |
53 |
29 |
0 |
2 |
|
LAOIS |
120 |
70 |
47 |
2 |
1 |
|
LEITRIM |
244 |
161 |
69 |
7 |
7 |
|
LIMERICK |
98 |
69 |
23 |
3 |
3 |
|
LONGFORD |
123 |
95 |
23 |
2 |
3 |
|
LOUTH |
39 |
18 |
15 |
1 |
5 |
|
MAYO |
619 |
406 |
170 |
25 |
18 |
|
MEATH |
45 |
25 |
17 |
1 |
2 |
|
MONAGHAN |
222 |
145 |
68 |
5 |
4 |
|
OFFALY |
118 |
78 |
27 |
6 |
7 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
225 |
145 |
67 |
10 |
3 |
|
SLIGO |
232 |
139 |
77 |
12 |
4 |
|
TIPPERARY |
165 |
108 |
48 |
5 |
4 |
|
WATERFORD |
35 |
25 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
WESTMEATH |
97 |
69 |
24 |
2 |
2 |
|
WEXFORD |
59 |
41 |
16 |
0 |
2 |
|
WICKLOW |
84 |
50 |
27 |
4 |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
5,027 |
3,183 |
1,521 |
172 |
151 |
393. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis for the clawback of €172.57 assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the disadvantaged areas scheme; the years the overpayment relates to; the number of hectares overclaimed; the total eligible hectares; the penalty imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20130/15]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed that two of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features, which in this case included a farm yard, a stream, a farm road and areas of scrub. The resultant area reductions were between 3% and 20% to the area payable under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which has resulted in an overpayment of €172.57 being generated on 4 February 2015, which will be recovered against future payments made by my Department.
While the person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal on two separate occasions, on 15 November 2013 and 12 June 2014 respectively, no appeal has been received.
394. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown by county of the number of completed applications received by his Department by the closing date of the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the total number of applicants who registered for the scheme; the selected actions; the reason the number registering and selecting actions but not submitting a completed application was so high compared to the completed applications; when data will be available as to the average amount of money each applicant will be entitled to under the scheme; the number of farmers who have selected green low-carbon agri-environment scheme+ actions; the number of farmers in both schemes with commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20131/15]
View answerDue to the unprecedented level of interest in the scheme I announced an extension to deadline for receipt of GLAS applications on Thursday last. Farmers and their advisors will now have until midnight tonight, Tuesday 26 May, to submit their completed applications.
I am delighted with the reaction to the new scheme with over 24,000 applications submitted and it seems very likely that our earlier predictions of some 25,000 applications will be fulfilled or even exceeded, and this is great news for Irish farmers and for the rural environment.
The detail of the actions chosen, the likely average payment, and those likely to qualify for GLAS+ and the number of commonage applicants in GLAS/GLAS+ will require interrogation of all the applications submitted, once the Scheme closes. It is not known how many of the created applications will be submitted in the end and this kind of analysis will be carried out once all completed applications have been received.
A breakdown of applications will be available after the closing date.
395. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the penalty imposed under the land parcel identification system review on a person (details supplied); the parcel numbers of the land parcels in question; the years involved; the reason for declaring the land ineligible; when a decision will be made on a review of this case; the amount of the land involved that is commonage; the number of claimants in the commonage in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20132/15]
View answerMy Department is currently finalising the review of the lands in question and an official from my Department has contacted the person named to advise him accordingly and has undertaken to further contact the person named with the final outcome of the review once same is completed.
396. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) received from the Irish Farmers Association regarding the beef genome scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20137/15]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and will provide suckler farmers in Ireland with funding of some €300 million over the next 6 years. The BDGP builds on the investment in data recording and genomics in recent years, and will ultimately bring about long-term improvements to the sector by fundamentally improving the genetic quality of the beef herd. It is a unique opportunity for farm participants to improve the efficiency and profitability of their herds, with significant state support.
It can also make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the national herd and has been approved as an agri-environment measure under the Rural Development Programme. The six-year commitment arises from the requirements of the EU Rural Development Regulation under which this scheme is co-funded by the EU and Irish taxpayers. Article 28 of this Regulation stipulates that all agri-environmental schemes must be at least 5 years in duration and farmers will be familiar with multi-annual schemes such as GLAS and REPS where similar conditions apply.
The six-year timeframe for the BDGP provides a guaranteed and stable payment for suckler farmers, allowing them to plan and budget on their farms for the duration of the programme. It is important to note that the penalty system includes appropriate tolerances where only minor non-compliances occur and no penalty will apply in these cases. In more serious cases there must of course be an applicable penalty. However, on balance, I am satisfied that the approach proposed reflects the most proportionate response consistent with the Regulations. The requirement to seek full refund of payment only applies in the event of permanent withdrawal from the scheme. As always in such cases, force majeure clauses have been included in the Terms and Conditions where withdrawal is due to circumstances beyond the applicant’s control such as illness or disease. There is also a provision included for transfers by gift or inheritance whereby the transferee can decide to take over the commitments or exit from the programme entirely.
Participants in the programme will receive a payment of €142.50 per hectare for the first 6.66 payable hectares under the scheme, and €120 per payable hectare after that. Payment to scheme participants is on the basis of costs incurred and income foregone for each of the actions undertaken. All of the costs to the farmer, including in terms of time and effort, have been factored into the payment for the farmer as agreed with the European Commission. The payment includes a cost associated with the tissue tag sample and subsequent processing and this genotyping cost will be deducted at source from the farmer’s payment. The cost of the genotyping will be finalised following the conclusion of a public tendering process undertaken by the ICBF in relation to laboratory analysis, tissue tags and the DNA chip. It is expected that this will result in a reduced sampling/genotype cost compared to the 2014 scheme.
The number of animals to be genotyped each year will be equal to 60% of the number of calved suckler cows that the applicant had on his/her holding in 2014 – known as the applicant’s “reference animals”. The number of “reference animals” will be advised to applicants upon acceptance into the scheme. For example, an applicant with 15 reference animals in 2014 must have sufficient animals to genotype 9 cows/heifers/calves/stock bulls in each year of the programme without repetition. In specific circumstances, 2015 may be used as the base year.
While the level of testing required has increased compared to the 2014 pilot scheme, the payment to the farmer has also increased significantly so the percentage of the overall payment related to genotyping is broadly the same under both schemes. The 15% genotyping in 2014 was undertaken to develop the training population for genomic which provides the platform for the more widespread application of genomics and higher level of genotyping now made possible under the BDGP.
The 60% genotyping requirement reflects the need to genotype a high percentage of female calves at birth within scheme herds and to genotype female animals introduced from non-scheme herds so that sufficient 4 and 5 star animals can be identified. The 60% requirement will also include pedigree males and cows for ongoing research and knowledge development. This increased level of genotyping also adds value to the breeding indexes.
The BDGP is a substantial commitment to the beef sector over the next 6 years and I will continue to monitor its implementation to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The BDGP, like all RDP Schemes, will be subject to mid-term review. If aspects of the scheme can be improved in the future, I will seek to address these issues in consultation with the EU Commission. For now I am satisfied that the scheme provides the long-term support that is required to ensure the future sustainability of our suckler herd, within the parameters laid down by the relevant regulations.
397. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in relation to a payment under the single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/15]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes on 1 May 2013.
A land parcel of 7.42 hectares was omitted from the initial application. A request to add this land parcel was refused as it was after the latest date for amendment of a Single Payment Scheme application form.
During discussions at an Agriculture Appeals Office hearing, my Department became aware of the proximity of the date of application to the date of death of the father of the person named who had previously farmed the land in question. The land parcels of the late father of the person named are now being farmed by the person named. It was decided on grounds of force majeure and exceptional circumstances to add this land parcel to the 2013 Single Payment Scheme application. No extra payments are due for 2013 but my Department will now recalculate the provisional entitlement statement for the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme of the person named based on the revised area details.
399. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the figure of 10,000 persons employed in the Irish greyhound industry, quoted by him, detailing those employed full-time and part-time; the locations they are employed in, and the rates of salary and remuneration paid, on average, to each category of employee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20230/15]
View answerA report commissioned by Bord na gCon, entitled "The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry'" published in April 2011 and available from BNG, states the following:
- The industry employs just over 10,300 people directly and indirectly.
- Employment in the greyhound industry is spread very widely across the country. This regional dispersion is reflected in the geographic spread of the 17 racetracks around the country and the ownership of greyhounds in every county.
- The employment is provided in catering at greyhound race tracks, staff employed at tracks owned by the Irish Greyhound Board, staff employed at the privately owned tracks, staff employed in cleaning and security services at all stadia, food and drink suppliers to catering operators, private and public trainers, greyhound food manufacturers and suppliers, ancillary services such as veterinary and medicine, dog owners, betting offices, and a number of miscellaneous areas.
- Adjusting for full-time and part-time equivalents, it is estimated that the average earnings per employee is around €20,000 per annum. Based on this average salary, the wage contribution to the economy is very significant.
The report which contains the following table giving a breakdown of the employment is provided:
|
ACTIVITY |
EMPLOYMENT |
|
Catering Staff |
1,600 |
|
Irish Greyhound Board Payroll in peak Season |
900 |
|
Private Tracks Payroll |
377 |
|
Irish Coursing Club |
250 |
|
Cleaning & Security Services at Stadia |
550 |
|
Food & Drink Suppliers to Catering Operators |
500 |
|
Private & Public Trainers |
530 |
|
Dog Food Manufacturers – Manufacture/Sales/Distribution |
562 |
|
Greyhound Ancillary Products – Medicines/Treatments/Walkers/Baths/Veterinary Services/Manufacture/Distribution/Sales |
950 |
|
Greyhound Owners |
1,700 |
|
Betting Offices |
1,400 |
|
Miscellaneous Employment |
800 |
|
Stadium Construction & Ongoing Facilities Management |
250 |
|
Total Direct & Indirect Employment |
10,369 |
400. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in respect of the 11,000 appeals that are currently being heard by his Department; his views that these farmers find themselves in an ominous position, in that they do not know what land to include in their 2015 claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20252/15]
View answerTo date, some 10,921 appeals have been received, of which 9,342 have been finalised or in the final stages of processing. In addition, 1,038 cases are in the process of either ground verification visits or administrative validation. To date, 541 cases have been referred to the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Appeals Committee for consideration.
My Department is bound, under EU Regulations, to maintain the accuracy of the Land Parcel Identification System which underpins the direct payments. At the start of each year, my Department issues colour maps of all land parcels declared by farmers in the previous year together with a covering letter. In that letter, farmers are informed of the need to examine each map carefully and to identify and exclude from their application all unfarmed land, ineligible features such as buildings, farmyards, scrub, roadways, forests, lakes etc. included in the land parcels. There is, therefore, an onus on all farmers to ensure that the area of land declared by them as eligible for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes is accurate. They are also given the means to do so by making the ortho-photos available to them on an annual basis. These requirements are also made clear in the Terms and Conditions of the Schemes, which accompanies the pre-printed application form issued to all farmers.
In the letters, which issue where ineligible areas have been identified, considerable detail regarding the issues and maps to advise of the particular over-claims are provided. In addition to this information, farmers are also informed of the appeals process, should they disagree with my Department’s findings. The appeals process I have introduced is both robust and comprehensive. In the first instance, applicants are entitled to have their case reviewed by submitting their appeal on the form provided by my Department and should it be the case they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they can appeal their case to the independently-chaired Land Eligibility Appeals Committee.
401. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person who purchased land in October 2014 can apply under the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, as the person did not receive a single payment in 2014 due to caring for a relative at the time; if there are any special or force majeure circumstances under which a person who did not receive a payment under the scheme in 2013 and who is over 40 years of age, can apply for entitlements for the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20256/15]
View answerThe person named did not hold entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme, did not receive a direct payment in 2013, and does not hold an automatic right to receive entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. As the person named purchased land in October 2014 and was allocated a herd number in December of the same year, it is unlikely that she will qualify under the Scottish Derogation which requires active agricultural production in May 2013.
Force majeure circumstances are taken into account where a person’s normal agricultural production is interrupted by such circumstances. As there was no agricultural production in 2013, the application of force majeure is not relevant to either the Basic Payment Scheme or to the Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme.
The category of ‘new entrant’ to farming was available under the National Reserve to persons who established their holding in 2013 or later and who hold, or commit to undertaking, an agricultural course of education leading to a FETAC level 6 qualification. However the closing date for such applications to the National Reserve was 31 March 2015.
If the original owner of the land established a right to receive entitlements arising from that land, it is possible for that Allocation Right to be transferred to the person named by way of Private Contract Clause. To enter into such an arrangement the original owner must remain an active farmer in 2015, must submit a Basic Payment Scheme application and must declare a minimum of one eligible hectare in his/her own right. Further details on this option can be obtained from the CAP Advisory Centre at 0761 064438 or by email to CAPdirectpayments@agriculture.gov.ie.
As of the 2016 scheme year, entitlements may be purchased on the open market.
402. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application under the agri-environment options scheme from a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013.
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. During these checks it was discovered that a parcel with the action Tree Planting Standard was a non-utilisable agricultural area and had a zero reference area (building) on the Single Farm Payment Application.
Without this parcel, the application did not meet the minimum requirement of the scheme of one mandatory and one complementary action, and the contract was subsequently terminated.
The person named was informed of this in a letter dated 22 August 2014 and was also informed of his right of appeal. To date no appeal has been received.
