Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity to speak on this important matter. Under the agri-environment options scheme, AEOS, payments to participants fall into two categories of either area-based actions or and non-productive capital investment actions. Participants can receive payments for both actions, which are combined to give an annual payment to the participant. Non-productive capital investments would generally be the purchase and planting of trees and hedgerows.

Under the AEOS, participants must submit a claim for payment for non-productive capital investment actions, supported by appropriate proof of purchase, such as receipts and invoices for trees and hedgerow plants. A review of a sample of claims submitted was undertaken in 2014. This review identified serious irregularities with some of the claims submitted. The Department then instigated a full investigation into the matter. Under the circumstances, all AEOS payments to participants which are the subject of the investigation were put on hold. My Department wrote to each of the participants concerned on 28 January 2015, explaining the situation. The matter has now been referred to An Garda Síochána for its consideration and decisions on individual cases will not be made until the investigation has progressed further. I will brief the Deputy later in more detail if he wishes.

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