Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are grants available to farmers who wish to retain and repair old stone barns and other farm buildings; if there are no grants currently available, his plans to introduce such grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40565/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Traditional Farm Building Scheme was introduced as a supplementary measure under REPS 4 in 2008. Its objective is to ensure that a number of traditional farm buildings, which contribute to the visual landscape and are of historical and architectural value, will be maintained into the future. The Heritage Council administer the Traditional Farm Building Scheme on behalf of my Department. The closing date for the 2011-2012 scheme was 1st July 2011. A budget of €800,000 is available for the scheme year 2012, and a maximum grant of €20,000 will be payable to successful applicants. I have not yet made any decision regarding the reopening of this scheme in 2012-13.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will approve a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40573/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011. This application was selected for a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance inspection. During the Cross Compliance inspection discrepancies were recorded in relation to Bovine Identification and Registration concerning Bovine Passports and a failure to notify movements to the Cattle Movement and Monitoring System. These discrepancies resulted in a 1% Cross Compliance penalty being recorded for 2011. During the course of the Ground Eligibility inspection discrepancies were found which resulted in the claimed area for the Single Payment Scheme of 10.26ha being reduced to a payable area of 10.15ha.

The person named was advised of this outcome on 27 October and a Final Notice will issue shortly detailing the reductions in area. He was also advised of his right to seek a review of this decision and to have the outcome of any such review appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office. This inspection is now complete and the results have been fully processed. A 50% advance payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 24 November with the balance of the payment issuing on 1 December. Full payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued on 7 December.