Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
734. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will receive reduced direct payments as a result of a fire originating in Killarney National Park; the mean, mode, median and highest reduction; the mean, mode, median and highest percentage reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47572/21]
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. This is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
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 review and appeal.
The applicant is advised of this right of appeal and the relevant steps to take to seek a review. Each case is examined on its merits and any information supplied by the applicant will be taken into consideration during this review.
The Department is currently processing all BPS applications for 2021 including the applications on land that was deemed ineligible due to burning during the closed season of 1st March to 31st August. As this processing is ongoing, the information requested is not yet available.
