Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will pass that on to the Minister, Deputy Creed. The Department has processed the 2017 applications concerned, for these farmers, based on the reduced area on the over-claimed parcel and has made payments accordingly. There has been some payout. The applicants have been written to by the Department outlining the current position in regard to their BPS applications and setting out the options available relating to the over-claimed parcels, including the right to seek a review. Some have done that. The details of the parcels concerned were outlined on the maps sent to the applicants. A number of farmers on the Killery commonage have been included in this process. Should the applicants concerned seek a review, they have been advised to submit any supporting documentation which they deem relevant for review by the Department. As the Deputy mentioned, a number of appeals have been received. These appeals are being reviewed and the applicants concerned will be contacted directly about the outcome of their appeals. I do not have the information to hand about the result of that but I am sure the Department will take on board the information.

It is the Minister, Deputy Creed’s top priority to make the highest level of annual payment possible to the most farmers on the earliest date possible in accordance with EU legislation. Unfortunately, some farmers submitted lands for payment that had been burned during the closed season for burning and payment was not made on such land. The Deputy mentioned those farmers and the reasons for whatever happened to the land are probably being investigated. The farmers in the Killery commonage have been written to. It is open to them to submit appeals, which will be dealt with by the Department as a matter of urgency. I ask that the Deputy encourage any of those who have not made an appeal to do so. The Minister, Deputy Creed, made that clear. Some have but not all. They have been paid on the balance of their applications. The lands concerned, will, all other things being equal, be eligible for payment under the BPS in 2018. I will make it clear to all involved that the burning issue relates to one year only. Provided nothing else changes, that land is also eligible for this year, 2018, and it will be important for farmers to get that in order. I will mention the urgency with which decisions on these appeals need to be made.

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