Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
337. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the 2014 agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13171/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1st September 2010 and full payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. During a 2013 inspection, the person named was deemed non-compliant in respect of the Laying of Hedgerows and Wild Bird Cover actions. On the 10th January 2014, a letter issued to the person named notifying him of the non-compliances found on inspection. On preparing the file for payment it became clear that the extent of the breaches was such that the amount owed by the person named exceeded the amount due for 2013 and therefore no payment fell to be made by my Department at that time.
The person named subsequently appealed the penalty in relation to the Laying of Hedgerows action. This appeal was unsuccessful and the person named was notified of this by letter dated the 31st January 2015. Officials are currently processing the application in respect of the 2014 Scheme year with the intention of issuing payment at the earliest opportunity.
