Written Answers Nos. 39 to 42
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in relation to an appeal lodged under the 2015 basic payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35918/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 19 May 2015. During processing of his application, dual claim errors arose in respect of two of the parcels declared. Subsequently, confirmation was received that the person named was not entitled to declare these parcels.
The person named requested the case be reviewed under Force Majeure provisions and supplied documentary evidence in support of his claim. In finalising this application consideration has been given to the particular circumstances of the case. Payment will not issue in respect of the dual claimed parcels. However, a dual claim penalty will not apply in this case.
40. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in relation to an application under the national reserve and young farmers scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35919/15]
View answerThe person named has submitted an application under the 2015 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme. Processing of applications is underway which involves administrative and on farm checks and verification of land details submitted under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme application. These checks are required under EU Regulations. In cases where additional information is required as part of these checks my Department will correspond directly with the applicant concerned.
When all checks have been completed and processing of applications has been finalised, my Department will correspond directly with each applicant to advise them of the outcome of their application.
Payments to successful applicants under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme will commence early in December 2015.
41. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme will be made to a person (details supplied) in county Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35929/15]
View answerMy Department is currently examining approximately 400 cases that submitted invoices from one particular company to verify and support claims under the non-productive capital investment action of AEOS. It is known that in some cases the invoices submitted were for greater amounts than actually paid by the participants.
Funding provided under the scheme comes partly from the EU and partly from the National Exchequer. There is a requirement and obligation to ensure that the expenditure claimed by scheme participants reflects the reality of what took place. For that reason my Department wrote to participants requesting alternative proof that the amounts claimed were in fact the amounts paid.
The person named was written to on 11 June 2015 regarding the non-productive capital investment claim that he had submitted. This letter requested the submission of alternative verifiable proof to support one of the invoices that was included in the claim. A reply to this letter was received on 30 June last. My Department officials are now examining this case and a decision will issue to the person-named very soon.
42. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the staffing structure his Department has in place to oversee and manage the Curragh Plains in County Kildare; the annual cost of such management; his plans to further improve the management system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35856/15]
View answerThe management and protection of the Curragh plains is an on-going process. The Curragh provides a working environment for the Defence Forces, the horse-racing and training industry and sheep owners. In addition, in recent years there has also been a marked increase in the level of use as a leisure facility mainly because of the population growth in the area.
Officials from my Department have regular contact with the various parties involved in the use and management of the Curragh to discuss a wide range of issues including the development and protection of the Curragh plains and how best to deal with the day to day issues of illegal parking, dumping etc. Also as part of the on-going management of the Curragh my Department officials liaise with various Departments and State Agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Chief State Solicitors Office to ensure that best practice is adhered to in relation to the development and up keep of the Curragh Plains.
My Department currently employs a staff of three full time civilian employees at the Curragh to look after day to day affairs of the Curragh Plains and to ensure that the Curragh Bye-Laws are being complied with. These staff carry out functions such as branding of sheep, maintenance of lands, removal of litter etc,. In addition to the three full time employees the Department also has in place an environmental maintenance contract which provides additional assistance in the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the Curragh Plains. The total cost of staff and the environmental maintenance contact is approximately €343,000 per annum.
Also, within the Department of Defence a number of staff in the Property Management Branch are responsible for the administrative tasks associated with the management of the Curragh Plains. These tasks include the administration of the sheep grazing on the Plains, dealing with issues of illegal encampments and dumping, management of the various leases/licences, requests by the public to use the Plains, management of the maintenance contracts and many other issues relating to the Curragh which regularly arise.
