Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
239. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if penalties applied to 2013 and 2014 single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13912/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that five of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. The person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal on 23 October 2013 and an appeal was received on 19 November 2013 with supporting maps submitted on 20 January 2014. Following the review of my Department’s decision, as sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground was deemed necessary. This visit was completed on 27 March 2014; the findings of the ground verification visit were that additional land claimed by the applicant was deemed ineligible for payment. The outcome was that a level of over-claim of between 3% and 20% was established.
The person named was advised, in writing, of the findings of the visit on 10 July 2014 and advised of his right to appeal the outcome of this verification check to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee. As the field visit was completed during the 2014 Scheme year the findings also effected the payments due to the applicant for 2014.
The person named lodged an appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee on 25 March 2015. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the LPIS Appeals Committee once a decision is reached. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this appeal they can appeal this decision to the Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
