Written Answers Nos. 55 -60
55. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8791/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the Basic Payments (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes (ANC) on 13 May, 2015. The advance and balancing payments due under the BPS have already issued to the nominated bank account of the person named. A final balancing payment will issue over the coming weeks when the definitive value of entitlements has been established.
56. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8793/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a Transfer of Entitlements Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights and values by Change of Registration Details of Herdnumber following the addition of his daughter to his herdnumber. This application was fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme issued on 8th March 2016.
The person named also submitted an application under the 2015 Young Farmers’ Scheme to my Department, with his daughter as the young farmer. Officials from my Department have been in direct contact with the person named in relation to outstanding documentation required to finalise the processing of this application. Once the relevant documents have been received the applications will be finalised, with a view to payment issuing as soon as possible thereafter.
57. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal of a decision on entitlements by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8795/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a Transfer of Entitlements Allocation Right and Reference Value application to my Department seeking the transfer of allocation rights and values by Gift of Holding as transferee. This application was fully processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme issued on 18th April 2016.
The person named also submitted applications under the ‘young farmer’ category of the National Reserve and also the Young Farmers Scheme. These applications were fully processed and payment issued on 26th April 2016.
My Department has no record of having received an appeal from the person named in respect of a decision on entitlements.
58. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal of a decision on a farm payment by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8796/16]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 29 April 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Ground Eligibility inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Payments due on this basis, under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme, issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 23 November 2015 and 1 December 2015.
The person named was notified of the inspection decision on 16 November 2015. The person named has appealed this decision and this request is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
59. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment to a person (details supplied) under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8797/16]
View answerThe person named commenced their AEOS contract on 1 September 2011. Payment issued for the 2010-2014 Scheme years.
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 application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on the 9 October 2015. During this inspection non-compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Traditional Hay Meadow, Natura and Species Rich Grassland actions which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The application has been processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payment in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, less penalty, issued in two parts: 85% on 18 April 2016; and the remaining 15% on 22 April 2016.
60. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal of a decision by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/16]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the ‘Old Young Farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve to my Department. This application was not successful as the applicant was deemed to have commenced farming prior to 2008. On this basis the person named does not meet the eligibility criteria under the National Reserve ‘Old Young Farmer’ category. The person named was notified of this decision in writing and was offered the opportunity to submit an appeal.
My Department has now received an appeal from the person named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal has been considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicant regarding the date of commencement of his farming activity and a decision will be notified in writing to the applicant within the coming days.
