Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agro environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43129/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 12th May 2011. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme were noted in relation to Tree Planting Standard Option which resulted in a penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named informing him of this penalty and giving him the option to appeal the decision. An appeal has been lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office on 5th March 2012 and has been assigned to an Appeals Officer who will be in contact with the person named regarding the oral hearing requested. A decision in writing will be issued directly to the person named following the hearing of the appeal.

Payments in respect of the 2011 scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. These checks will get under way once full payment issues in respect of the 2010 scheme year.