Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:760. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a BPS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12863/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 20 March 2018
Ceisteanna (760)
Freagraí scríofa
The person named submitted a 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 11 May 2017. EU regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection, which included a field visit to determine the position on the ground, identified over-declarations in area exceeding 10% of the area claimed. This resulted in the area determined being reduced by 1.5 times the difference between the area claimed and area determined, as required under the governing EU regulations. The final position was that no payment was due under the 2017 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes.
A letter detailing the initial inspection findings issued on 15 January 2018 and afforded the person named the opportunity to submit comments on the findings within 14 days. While comments were received from the person named these were received after the 14 day period and the inspection outcome was finalised. A letter detailing the final outcome of the inspection issued on 6 February 2018.
A review of the case is currently being undertaken taking account of the comments received and this process is on-going. The person named will be notified directly of the outcome of this review as soon as possible. In the event that there is any change to the inspection outcome following this review, any monies due under these schemes will be processed promptly.
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.