Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015
98. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the agri-environment options scheme 2014 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15016/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from the 1st September 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years.
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. The application was selected for a ground inspection which identified non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme in relation to the Tree Planting Standard and Planting of New Hedgerow actions, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named unsuccessfully appealed this finding to my Department. The file will now be processed on the basis of the inspection findings with the intention of issuing payment in respect of 2014, minus the penalty, as soon as possible.
