Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2011
187 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there were any entitlements in the names of persons (details supplied); if such entitlements are still available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5949/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named established 13.15 standard entitlements with a net unit value of €261.43 resulting in an overall Single Payment of €3,437.80. In scheme year 2005 the persons named successfully consolidated their entitlements which resulted in an allocation of 11.56 National Reserve entitlements with the higher unit value of €297.39 each. Subsequently in scheme year 2010, the persons named transferred, by way of sale, 6.66 of these entitlements. They now have 4.90 entitlements remaining with a unit value of €297.39 each.
188 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment through the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5950/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed on all applications before any payment can issue. Payment will issue to the person named at the earliest possible date once these checks have been completed.
189 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider paying the suckler cow welfare scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 8.7 of the Terms and Conditions of the Suckler Welfare Scheme states that “ it shall be mandatory for an approved applicant to attend a suitable training course before reaching the end of their second year in the Scheme .” The Department provided courses for applicants extensively throughout the country during 2008 and 2009. However, in view of the difficult circumstances faced by a number of farming enterprises in Ireland during 2009, the Department decided, as an exceptional measure, to extend the period for completing a training course for a further year. To this end, further courses were run around the country in late 2010. Notification issued to all of those participants in the Scheme who had not already undertaken a course reminding them of their obligations under the Scheme and advising them that this was the final opportunity to attend a course and that failure to do so would result in no further payments being made and that any payments already made may be recouped.
The person named applied for the above Scheme in 2008 and was made aware of the requirements regarding the training for the Suckler Welfare Scheme under the Terms and Conditions and through the extensive media campaign, which was conducted prior to the Scheme coming into operation. He had three years in which to complete the training and has not done so. Consequently, no further payments can be made to this herd owner under this Scheme and payments already made may be recouped.
190 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payments will be made to farmers in Donegal South-West who have signed contracts as long ago as November 2010 with his Department under the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5979/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. Payment will issue at the earliest possible date once these checks have been completed.
191 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the final 25% of payment under the REPS scheme has not issued to a person (details supplied) in Count Tipperary. [6039/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in November 2008 and received the first two years' payments in full. 75% of the year 3 payment was made in December 2010. Payment of the final 25% cannot be made until outstanding checks are finalised and compliance with the scheme conditions has been fully established. Payment will issue at the earliest possible date once all checks have been completed.
192 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment in respect of their REPS 4 application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6049/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 on I December 2009 and received his year 1 payment in March 2010. The REPS file of the person named is the subject of an audit and will be processed for payment when the audit has been completed.
