Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive their agri environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21417/13]

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 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €237.59 and €3,786.06 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.

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 20 September 2012. During this inspection, issues of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation the Tree Planting – Standard action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named informing his of this penalty and giving him the option to appeal the decision. My Department is currently processing the application on this basis and I expect payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year to issue shortly.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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343. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to expedite an application for agri environment options scheme payment due to a farmer (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21436/13]

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 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €830.24 and €4,928.07 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.

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. During these checks for the 2012 scheme year issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura action which resulted in a penalty being imposed. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the application on this basis and I expect payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year to issue shortly.