Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
373. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding destocking payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28299/15]
View answerA query in respect of loss of compensation and consequential losses for sheep destocking following the implementation of the National Commonage Framework plans introduced in 1998 was received by my Department from the person named on 12 March 2015.
A reply issued directly to the person named on 23 June 2015 outlining the process by which the person named benefitted in the calculation of his entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme by virtue of the destocking of part of his sheep flock. Under the provisions of the regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, farmers, who had their stock numbers decreased due to the impact of an agri-environment measure, could use an alternative reference period (19997/98) for the calculation of their payment entitlements. Under these provisions, the total gross value of his entitlements increased from €5,542.94 to €14,744.93.
My Department subsequently received a further query on 3 July 2015 confirming that the question raised was in respect of sheep destocking and the compensation that was payable through the National Parks and Wildlife Services. Initial investigations indicate that the person named was in receipt of this compensation from 1999 through to and including 2001. My Department is currently trying to establish the reasons why the compensation was not paid to the person named in 2002. When this investigation is complete, my Department will reply directly to the person named.
