Vol. 547 No. 1
299 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim has not received a REP scheme payment; if payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1648/02]
My Department wrote to the person named on 20 February 2001 telling him that he had been overpaid under the rural environment protection scheme. The overpayment had arisen because penalties for non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were imposed following an inspection of the holding in August 1999 and because a portion of the holding was found to be ineligible for payment.
The most substantial penalty that had been imposed related to the participant's eligibility for payment under supplementary measure 6 – organic farming. When the inspection took place in August 1999, he was unable to produce a copy of his current organic licence. He subsequently submitted documentation in support of his contention that he was eligible for payment under supplementary measure 6. This documentation is being considered in my Department and a final decision will issue to the person named within 21 days.
