Written Answers Nos. 100 - 107
100. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the error rate identified by European Union auditors on each farm scheme at the time of their last inspection; the corresponding figure for similar departmental inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15059/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery EU Member State, including Ireland, is subject to EU audits to ensure that all scheme applicants meet the requirements of both governing EU legislation and scheme Terms and Conditions. Following such audits Member States are issued with a letter of findings as required by regulation. This letter highlights the findings of the audit and requests the comments and observations of the Member State for further consideration by the auditors. Such observation letters do not identify an error rate.
101. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of penalty appeals under the single payment scheme received by the agriculture appeals office in 2014; the number of appeals upheld, partially upheld, rejected and ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office received 334 Single Farm Payment penalty appeals in 2014. To date, 9 appeals have been allowed, 29 appeals partially allowed and 122 appeals disallowed. 78 appeals were revised by the Department some times after significant involvement with the Appeals Office. 44 appeals were not valid, out of time, or withdrawn. 52 appeals are ongoing.
102. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of penalty appeals received under the disadvantaged areas scheme by the agriculture appeals office in 2014; the number of appeals upheld, partially upheld, rejected and ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office received 29 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme penalty appeals in 2014. To date one appeal has been allowed, 11 appeals disallowed, four appeals have been revised by the Department, seven appeals were not valid, out of time or withdrawn, and six appeals are ongoing.
103. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of penalty reviews under the single payment scheme received by his Department in 2014; the number of reviews upheld, partially upheld, rejected and ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15062/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in the context of the delivery of the Direct Payments Scheme and other area-based schemes, must ensure that all applicants meet the requirements of the applicable EU governing legislation. Applicants must ensure that scheme application forms are submitted within prescribed deadlines, that the land declared for aid is eligible and that ineligible features have been excluded, that the requirements of the Cross Compliance regime are adhered to and that other scheme specific requirements are met. My Department operates a comprehensive appeal mechanism to protect the interest of farmers who have difficulties where a penalty has been applied. The farmer can initially seek a review internally within my Department. Where the farmer remains dissatisfied the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
The data on reviews received by my Department is not readily available in the specific format requested by the Deputy. An official from my Department will contact the Deputy directly to clarify further the data being requested.
104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of penalty reviews under the disadvantaged areas scheme received by his Department in 2014; the number of reviews upheld, partially upheld, rejected and ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15063/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in the context of the delivery of the Direct Payments Scheme and other area-based schemes, must ensure that all applicants meet the requirements of the applicable EU governing legislation. Applicants must ensure that scheme application forms are submitted within prescribed deadlines, that the land declared for aid is eligible and that ineligible features have been excluded, that the requirements of the Cross Compliance regime are adhered to and that other scheme specific requirements are met. My Department operates a comprehensive appeal mechanism to protect the interest of farmers who have difficulties where a penalty has been applied. The farmer can initially seek a review internally within my Department. Where the farmer remains dissatisfied the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
The data on reviews received by my Department is not readily available in the specific format requested by the Deputy. An official from my Department will contact the Deputy directly to clarify further the data being requested.
105. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's official definition of agricultural activity under the 2015 area aid schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15064/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's official definition of usable agricultural area under the 2015 area aid schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15065/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's official definition of under-utilisation under the 2015 area aid schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15066/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.
Under the provisions of the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers need to declare an eligible hectare for each payment entitlement held in order to benefit from payment. The hectares declared must be eligible and must have an agricultural activity carried out on them. The situation in Ireland has not changed since the Single Payment Scheme was replaced by the Basic Payment Scheme at the beginning of 2015. Eligible lands include those lands with herbaceous grasses and other grazable vegetation. I am, however, pursuing options that may assist farmers, who have marginal lands, in particular those that have designated land, in meeting the requirements of the Direct Payment regulations. My Department officials are in direct contact with the EU Commission with the intention of pursuing all possible options and bringing the matter to an early conclusion, which, including other matters will cover the three issues raised.
