Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
424. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and when these payments will issue. [20485/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 10 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection and a cross-compliance Animal Identification and Registration Inspection.
The ground inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Under the Terms and Conditions of these schemes, this resulted in the 2014 payments being based on the found area having been reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area declared. The person named was notified of this decision on 1 December 2014.
The person named appealed this decision to the District Inspector the outcome of which was partially successful. The found area was increased which reduced the penalty amount but not the overall percentage penalty. Monies due on this basis issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on the 1 April 2015. As the reduction did not impact the level of penalty on the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, no additional payment was due in respect of this scheme.
I understand that the person named has recently appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome it is open to them to raise the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
