Agri-Environment Options Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 September 2011

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Ceisteanna (125)

Heather Humphreys

Ceist:

127 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who submitted maps for the agri-environment options scheme in April 2011 was only informed on 7 September 2011 that there was a problem with the map; the further reason the person was previously informed by his Department that the application looked clear and that the person could expect payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25272/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Simon Coveney)

I refer to my previous reply dated 14th September in relation to the above named person. The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) with effect from 1st September 2010.

Under the EU Regulations governing the 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. As previously advised claimed areas under AEOS must match the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) application. The person named submitted an amendment form to SPS requesting that two separate plots be redigitised. Following the redigitisation of these two plots, further queries regarding discrepancies between the areas claimed have arisen. Officials in my Department have been in contact with the person named to clarify this and the application will be processed further when the query is resolved.