Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri environment option scheme 1 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24723/13]

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 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €531.42 and €4,999.96 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 also selected for a ground inspection which took place on 3 October 2012. During this inspection, issues of non compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation the Laying Hedgerow and Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance actions which resulted in a penalty being imposed.

On 29 January 2013, a letter issued to the person named informing him of this penalty and giving him the option to appeal the decision. The person named submitted an appeal to my Department and the original decision was upheld on 9 April 2013. My Department is currently processing the application for payment based on the inspection and payment for the 2012 scheme year will issue shortly.

Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when agri environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay; when computerised processing of payments will start in relation to AEOS1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24725/13]

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 1 September 2010 and full payments totalling €1,666.66 and €4,999.98 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During the checking process in respect of the 2012 scheme year, issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions. My Department has now finalised the application of the person named and payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year will issue shortly.