Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an application to transfer single payment entitlements on foot of the acquisition of land by way of gift or inheritance after the reference period was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow, if she will re-examine this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23576/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following processing of his application, the person named was advised that his application was, in fact, successful and that the entitlements established by his late son would be transferred to him. However, the person named was advised that the entitlements may only be activated but not used by him as he is a participant in the early retirement scheme. The entitlements can only be used by the lessee of the holding if the lease agreement provides for the transfer of the entitlements and an application under the private contract clause option to transfer the entitlements has been submitted to my Department.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she can confirm that a person (details supplied) was successful in their appeal to the agriculture appeals office in relation to entitlements due under the 2003 bovine premium scheme; if she can also confirm whether the response give by her Department to an earlier parliamentary question dated 14 June 2005 was inaccurate where it was stated that no further payment was due to this person under the 2003 suckler cow scheme, given their successful appeal; if the person is due additional moneys under the 2003 suckler cow scheme; if she will ensure that this person's full entitlements will be forwarded to them promptly; when this person can expect all balance of payments due to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23645/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The appeal of the person named was not upheld originally by the agriculture appeals office. It was upheld, however, following a subsequent review of new information received. The agriculture appeals office sent written notification of this to the Cork office of my Department. An Post states that the notification was delivered but no record has been found to date of it having been received by the Cork office. In framing the answer to the parliamentary question of 14 June on the case, therefore, my Department assumed the appeal of the person named had not succeeded. Now that it is aware the appeal succeeded, it is arranging for payment to be made within the next fortnight of the €211.86 due under the 2003 suckler premium scheme and of any other payments due under other schemes as a consequence.

The agriculture appeals office has agreed to notify the outcome of every appeals decision in future to the relevant office of my Department by e-mail as well as by ordinary mail. In this way, I hope my Department will be able to act swiftly on foot of all successful appeals to pay the farmers concerned any entitlements arising as early as possible. In addition, I have directed my Department to check with the agriculture appeals office in respect of any future parliamentary question relating to appeals cases to ensure replies take into account the final decisions by the appeals office in all cases.