Vol. 567 No. 5
193 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the circumstances under which his Department notified the Garda Síochána with regard to applications for aid payments made by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14550/03]
Applications for aid made by the person named have not, on any occasion, been referred by my Department to the Garda Síochána.
194 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the circumstances surrounding the removal of a herd number (details supplied); the reasons payments were recouped from a person (details supplied) in 1992 although this was questioned by the Office of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14551/03]
The herd number of the person indicated was cancelled in February 1997 because of his failure to meet the requirements of the procedures in respect of a statutory declaration made by him. In 1997 and again in 1999, an application form ER1 for the re-issue of a herd number was sent to the person concerned but to date he has not submitted the completed application form.
The herd numbers of this person's late father and late uncle, were cancelled by my Department's district veterinary office when it came to attention that both of these people were deceased. Letters to this effect were issued to the representatives of both deceased.
With reference to the recoupment by my Department of payments made to the person indicated, my Department has to ensure that all the regulations, both national and EU, are complied with and where it is found that non-compliance has occurred, it has no choice but to ensure that these moneys are recouped. My Department's position on this matter was upheld by the Office of the Ombudsman.
