The person named submitted an application for the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes which was received in the Department on 31 March 2016. This application was not submitted within the prescribed time frame and therefore attracted a 100% late penalty.
However, the person named has forwarded an appeal against this penalty on the grounds of force majeure/exceptional circumstances. This appeal is being considered by my Department and a request for further information has recently been sent to the person named. An Official from my Department has been in contact directly with the applicant to advise him of the current status of the application.