Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
787. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any discretion with regard to the payment of farmers under the basic payment scheme in County Kerry in which penalties have been imposed as a result of fires which those farmers have not been deemed responsible for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/21]
View answerIn order to qualify for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), farmers must have an eligible hectare of land in respect of each entitlement held. Where land has been burned between the period of 1st March and 31st August of any given year it is not eligible for payment under the BPS. .
Where such land is claimed under a BPS application it is considered an overclaim and as such a penalty/reduction may apply. In each case where a penalty/reduction applies the applicant has a right of appeal. The applicant is advised of this right and how to avail of the appeals process in the notification of the penalty/reduction.
