Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2016
87. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) in regard to the basic payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9050/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme application on 29 April 2015. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a Ground Eligibility inspection. The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of the schemes this resulted in no payments being due under the 2015 Direct Payments Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments.
The person named was notified of the inspection outcome on 16 November 2015 and has appealed this decision. This request is currently being examined and the person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
