Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2015

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Questions (26)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

26. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next tranche of payments are due under the agri-environment options schemes, AEOS 1, AEOS 2 and AEOS 3; if these payments are due to issue to farmers before Christmas 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35859/15]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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.

The cross-checks for the 2015 AEOS scheme year can only take place following the finalisation of the BPS applications for 2015 and the issuing of BPS payments, which will commence this week.

I anticipate that payments for the 2015 scheme year will then commence towards the end of November, for all three schemes mentioned.