Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
378. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment for 2014 under the agri-environment options scheme, considering that the ongoing investigation by his Department and the Garda Síochána into the non-productive capital investments claims submitted under the scheme is causing severe financial hardship to the person. [19967/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation.
The application of the person named is one of those being reviewed in the context of this wider investigation. My Department wrote to the person named on 28 January 2015 to explain the situation.
The initial stage of this investigation is now concluded and my Department plans to write very shortly to all participants with payments held seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, in the amounts declared. Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed.
