Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2015
84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will make a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Galway under the agri-environment options scheme 2; the reason for the delay given that the appeal was lodged in March 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45555/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced their AEOS 2 contract on 1 September 2011. Issues arose in respect of a parcel of Wild Bird Cover (WBC) which, in order to be eligible for payment under the scheme, must have an area greater than 0.5 hectares. The area of WBC was recorded as 0.47 hectares following digitisation in 2013 and a subsequent field visit confirmed that the area on the ground was indeed less than 0.5 hectares and therefore ineligible for payment. The person named was informed of the ineligible parcel and consequent reduction in payment and a 10% penalty on 14 April 2014.
Maps were then submitted to the Single Payment Unit by the applicant’s planner, increasing the area without reference to the original inspection result. On foot of increased area shown, the planner appealed the payment reduction and penalty to the AEOS section. This was a complex case and involved various areas in the Department.
My officials have now completed examination of the file and a letter issued to the person named on 15 December confirming the original decision. The person named has been offered the opportunity to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office if they are not satisfied with the decision.
