Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive notification of their single payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9041/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted an application on the basis of the entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. He was subsequently notified that both applications had been unsuccessful and given the opportunity to appeal my Department's decision to the independent single payment appeals committee. To date, no request to appeal has been received from the person named.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not been informed of his or her single payment entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9042/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named has applied for consideration under the inheritance and new entrant measures of the single payment scheme. Following an examination of the documentation submitted, I am pleased to advise that a letter has issued to the person named advising him that his application under the inheritance criteria has been successful. A statement of provisional entitlements outlining this position will issue to the person shortly.

The application under the new entrant measure was unsuccessful as the person named farmed during all three reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the special beef premium will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9043/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named lodged three applications under the 2004 EU special beef premium scheme. An application was made on 10 March 2004 in respect of seven animals, on 7 December 2004 in respect of 20 animals and on 23 December 2004 in respect of five animals. The 60% advance payment in respect of the first application issued on 18 October 2004. Advance payments in respect of the second application issued on 9 March 2005. The 60% advance payment in respect the third application will issue shortly.

Balancing payments on all applications are scheduled to commence in April.

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Question No. 378 of 15 February 2005, the position regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9056/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Having been notified that the circumstances outlined by him did not satisfy the criteria for force majeure, exceptional circumstances under Article 40 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1782/2003, the person named submitted an appeal to the independent single payment appeals committee. Following a full examination of the circumstances outlined in the appeal, the appeals committee made a recommendation and a letter issued to the person on 28 January 2005. The appeals committee found that the original decision taken by my Department should be upheld.

My Department and the independent single payment appeals committee took full cognisance of the medical evidence put forward in this case. While they accepted the serious nature of the medical difficulties outlined, there was no evidence that production in any of the reference years was affected. Throughout the reference period 2000-02 and during the earlier reference period 1997-99, production remained relatively constant. If the person named wishes to submit additional information or medical evidence, my Department will re-examine the circumstances of the case in the light of it. Arrangements have been made to furnish an additional appeals form to the person named.