Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2006
268 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will qualify for payment from the 2005 single farm payment scheme national reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42959/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category C.
Category C caters for farmers who sold their milk quota into the Milk Quota Restructuring Scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002.
The father of the person named sold his milk quota in April 2004 and ceased farming. He leased his farm and any associated Single Payment entitlements to the person named in March 2004. As the person named was neither an active milk producer nor the owner of a milk quota he did not therefore satisfy the criteria for Category C.
The person named submitted an appeal against this decision and provided additional documentation in support of his appeal. In all such cases, the procedure is that all contentions put forward in support of an appeal are first of all reviewed within my Department to see whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant any change to the original decision. In this case the documentation was examined by my Department but did not provide grounds for a change to the original decision. This case has since been forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who will carry out a full review of the case and will correspond directly with the person named following the outcome of their review.
However, we note that the person named leased land in 2004 and in the 2006 National Reserve there is provision for New Entrants to farming who have leased land. This category (category B) caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who, while farming during 2002, did not receive any direct payments in respect of that year. The income and educational qualification that applied in 2005 will again apply to this category. In addition, new entrants who are farming leased / rented land will be eligible for an allocation provided they can demonstrate a genuine commitment to farming. In this context the leased/rented land must have been declared on the 2004 Area Aid application and on the 2005 and 2006 Single Payment Scheme applications.
My Department has forwarded a 2006 National Reserve application form to the person named for his attention. Should the person named feel that he qualifies for the 2006 National Reserve he should return the completed application form to my Department offices in Portlaoise as soon as possible.
269 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a transfer of single payment entitlements will be complete for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that all the necessary information has been submitted; the full list of entitlements drawn on the farm from 2004 and 2005 on the old herd number for this person; and if this person received all of their payments. [42973/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme by way of inheritance to the person named was submitted on the 15th of May 2006.
Following examination of the application the person named was written to requesting further documentation.
Upon receipt of this documentation, my Department will process the Transfer application and will correspond directly with the person named.
In relation to 2004 applications, the position is that another person under herd number P1740421 applied for a number of the coupled direct payment schemes then in place and full payment issued in respect of each scheme.
Under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme the position is that another person under herd number P1740421 applied for the Single Payment Scheme on the 22nd April 2005. The person concerned had been allocated a total of 16.26 entitlements of which 16.08 were used in 2005. Payment in respect of 16.08 entitlements issued on the 1st December 2005.
270 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a payment will be made under the national reserve to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42993/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B.
Category B caters for farmers who made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under Livestock Premia and/or Arable Aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-2002. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments. The person named applied under Category B(i) in relation to investment in land and B(iii) in relation to the purchase of ewe quota and has been deemed successful under both measures.
The Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme provide that checks must be made to ensure that an allocation from the National Reserve, to an applicant who has already benefited under other measures associated with the Single Payment Scheme, does not result in double benefit. An applicant may only benefit from the measure that is most beneficial. The person named has already benefited from another measure (New Entrant during the reference period) and an allocation from the Reserve would result in double benefit. Therefore, the New Entrant has been rescinded in favour of an allocation from the Reserve which is more beneficial.
A formal letter of decision together with relevant payment due will issue shortly to the person named.
271 Mr. Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment of the single farm payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [43041/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on the 21st April 2006.
This application has now been fully processed and payment in respect of 26.49 entitlements transferred by way of gift will issue shortly.
272 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43068/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Transfer of Entitlements to the person named under the Single Payment Scheme was submitted on the 9th November 2006. The application was accepted even though the closing date for the receipt of completed applications to transfer entitlements was 16th May 2006.
The application is now fully processed and payment in respect of 12.95 standard entitlements transferred by way of gift, will issue shortly.
273 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the area based payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43069/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 3 May 2006. The processing of this application has now been finalised and payment is expected to issue shortly to the person named.
