Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
556. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the lease for Drummin Mountain, Laragh. Co. Wicklow was not publicly advertised and farmers with grazing rights not been paid, the date on which those with outstanding claims will be paid. [52317/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the lease of the named commonage lies with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
As regards the payment aspect, the position is that during processing of applications under the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based Schemes, it was established that the parcel in question was over-claimed, meaning that none of the claimants is eligible for payment. Officials from my Department attended a number of meetings involving the claimants of the commonage with a view to facilitating a resolution to the problem.
Despite the efforts of my Department and other third parties, it has not being possible for the claimants to reach agreement on the area claimed. Until this matter is resolved and the area of the commonage claimed does not exceed the total eligible area of the commonage, it is not possible to make payments to any of the claimants.
