Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 953: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the penalty imposed on a 2005 suckler cow grant to a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be reviewed. [1205/06]

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

The person named submitted an application for 2004 suckler cow premium which was received in the local office of my Department on 4 May 2004. The application form was returned to the person named as he had not indicated the number of animals he wished to submit for premium. This was returned and the person named confirmed that the application was in respect of nine cows and three heifers.

A number of queries arose following validation of the application; six of the cows applied on had no calves registered to them prior to the application date of 4 May 2004. One of the six cows was also found not to have been in the ownership and possession of the person named at the time of application, following validation against the cattle movement monitoring system, CMMS, database. Another tag number showed an invalid breed error. an agricultural officer visited the farm to confirm the breed of the animal showing invalid breed error and this query was resolved. A letter issued to the person named on 14 November 2004, advising him that six cows were being rejected and that he had a right to appeal this decision.

Following a second validation, it was found that another of the animals applied on had been slaughtered during the six-month retention period. The slaughter records showed this animal as having been slaughtered out of a herd other than that of the person named. The applicant was advised in writing on 22 March 2005 that this animal was also rejected.

The person named was not an applicant under any of the other bovine schemes for 2004. Therefore, following the rejection of seven of the animals submitted under the suckler cow scheme there were only five remaining eligible animals. Since the non-compliance in this case is equivalent to 140%, the number rejected by the number eligible, no premium was payable under the 2004 scheme.

In addition, in accordance with the EU legislation governing the suckler cow scheme, a penalty of €1,569.05 was applicable. This amount was deducted from the amount due to the person named under the single payment scheme in 2005.

It is open to the person named to lodge an appeal in regard to the decision of my Department to reject his 2004 suckler cow application and to apply a penalty. To date, no letter of appeal has been received in regard to either of the rejection letters that issued. However, should the person named wish to lodge an appeal in regard to the findings as outlined, he should do so in writing, without further delay, outlining clearly the basis of his appeal.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 954: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid the 2005 single payment. [1206/06]

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

The person named submitted applications for consideration in respect of the transfer of entitlements by way of private contract clause and transfer as a result of the change of name on the herd number. Following processing of both applications, the person named was paid €20,571.17 on 18 January 2005 in respect of the single payment scheme.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 955: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid the 2005 disadvantaged areas scheme grant. [1207/06]

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

Payment in respect of the disadvantaged areas scheme issued to the person named on 11 January 2006.