Written Answers Nos. 19 - 22
19. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in relation to a headage payment for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35818/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 16 March 2015. Processing of the application has recently been finalised. Payment will issue shortly directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
20. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 5 May 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payment due under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.
Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme will commence issuing from 16 October 2015 to eligible applicants whose applications are fully processed.
21. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of putative applicants for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme who were advised by Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, that it did not have the administrative capacity to develop their applications in advance of the May 2015 deadline. [35829/15]
View answerI am aware that Teagasc wrote to some of their clients advising that they did not have the capacity to submit their GLAS plans by 15 May 2015. This is a matter between Teagasc and their client base and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the issue or indeed to become involved in matters which are of a contractual nature between the parties involved.
While Teagasc indicated to some of their clients that they could not submit applications for them, it is always open to farmers to approach another adviser to do so on their behalf and I know that many did so.
22. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be put in place for putative applicants for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme in May 2015 who were advised by Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, that it did not have the administrative capacity to develop their applications and who, as a result, waited to apply in October 2015 and are now facing reductions due to changes in criteria. [35830/15]
View answerI am aware that Teagasc wrote to some of their clients advising that they did not have the capacity to submit their GLAS plans by 15 May 2015. This is a matter between Teagasc and their client base and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the issue or indeed to become involved in matters which are of a contractual nature between the parties involved. While Teagasc indicated to some of their clients that they could not submit applications for them, it is always open to farmers to approach another adviser to do so on their behalf and I know that many did so.
In relation to those who did not, and who are now proposing to apply under Tranche 2, they will be able to do so in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the new scheme, which for many farmers will prove more beneficial, particularly those with farmland birds or Natura land.
