Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 445: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not credited with a higher level of single payment; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the person dramatically increased the stock numbers on the farm in 2002; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that they extensively drained the farm and erected a range of new farm buildings at huge costs; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the person is a highly trained certified young farmer and that the farm is now used by Teagasc as a demonstration farm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30034/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named submitted applications for consideration in respect of both the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. The person named was notified that his new entrant application was rejected as he established no entitlements during the reference period 2000-2002. The inheritance application was accepted on 16 May 2005 and the entitlements gifted with lands to the person named have been transferred.

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under categories B(1), (II), (III) and D. Category B caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, made an investment in production capacity in a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia and — or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000-2002. Category D 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.

The position is that applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received from more than 17,500 farmers. Processing of these applications is continuing and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants by 1 December next. My Department will be in touch with the person named as soon as his application is fully processed.