James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 621: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare is experiencing enormous problems having their entitlements accessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29192/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named was not an applicant under the livestock premia and-or arable aid schemes during 2000 to 2002 or earlier during 1997 to 1999. Consequently, no entitlements under the single payment scheme have been established for the person named. The Department of Agriculture and Food does have a record of an application from the person named for consolidation of entitlements. However, since there are no entitlements established it is not possible to consolidate. My officials have been in contact with the person in question on the submission of a 2005 single payment scheme application form.

The person named submitted an application to the 2005 single payment scheme national reserve under category D which caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. Applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received from over 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. The Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed.