Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
285. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department did not carry out the appropriate assessment process in advance of making significant reference area reductions on Cloghaun, Kilbeg, Kilnagappagh, Gortnaglea, Derrybrien West, and Keelderry commonages, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10439/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn excess of €1.5 billion is paid annually to approximately 130,000 farmers in Ireland under the EU funded or partially funded Direct Payments and Agri-Environment Schemes. Under the governing EU Regulations, all applications must be subjected to verification checks to ensure their accuracy and their adherence to the requirements of the EU Regulations. The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) database is used to verify the accuracy of the areas declared for payment. My Department has an obligation to ensure that the data stored in the LPIS database in accurate.
The findings of ground/satellite eligibility inspections, LPIS ortho-imagery assessments and map changes submitted by individual farmers are used to update the LPIS database. The commonages referred to were assessed for the reasons outlined. Determinations were made on the area declared in order to establish the level of ineligible features and areas where no farming activity was being conducted. The claimants on the commonages in question have been informed in writing of the outcome of the assessments and their right to seek a review or appeal of the findings.
