Joe Walsh (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 961: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if payment of single payment and area based compensation will be made to a person (details supplied). [1251/06]

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 16 January 2006 and payment in respect of the single payment scheme issued to the person named on 13 January 2006.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 962: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if an application for single farm payments for a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1261/06]

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

The person named submitted an application, supported by medical evidence, for consideration of his circumstances under the force majeure measure of the single farm payment scheme. While the medical evidence was non-specific in respect of the effect on production or the applicant's ability or inability to farm, it was nevertheless accepted in good faith by my Department. It was, therefore, decided to exclude the 2000-2002 reference period and to base the single farm payment entitlements on the earlier reference period 1997-99.

However, the person named appealed this decision on the grounds that he wished to have 1999 excluded from the calculations and have his entitlements based on 1997 and 1998 only. During the course of the examination of the circumstances surrounding this appeal, it transpired that very significant increases had occurred in the quantity of milk quota held by the person named, as set out in the following table.

While the increase in 2001 is mainly attributable to the annexation of the quota held by his spouse, it was clear that over the years the person named had increased his quota by approximately 23,000 gallons in his own right. My Department was of the view that such increases were inconsistent with an inability to farm and indicated a clear decision by the person named to focus his production on his dairy enterprise with a consequential reduction in his beef enterprise. My Department had no option but to reverse the decision to base entitlements on the 1997-99 reference period.

Consequently, the person named was informed on 26 November 2005 that his single farm payment entitlements would be based on the 2000-02 reference period. Entitlements for this reference period, including the decoupled dairy premium, are in excess of €13,000. There are no grounds at this point which would merit a review of this decision by my Department. However, the person named may appeal this decision to the single payment appeals committee which will carry out a full assessment of my Department's decision in this case.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 964: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Clare in their national reserve entitlements. [1276/06]

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

The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the single payments scheme national reserve under categories B(i), B(ii) and C.

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 to 2002. Investments can include purchase or long-term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota, or other investments. Category C caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold their milk quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted their enterprise to 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 to 2002.

More than 23,000 applications for an allocation of entitlements from the national reserve were received when account is taken of farmers who applied under more than one category. Processing of these applications continues and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity. My Department will be in touch with individual applicants as soon as their applications are fully processed and formal letters setting out my Department's decision will issue in the near future.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 965: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the dairy premium will be released for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1282/06]

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

Under EU legislation, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions.

While the person named established 14.48 entitlements, the single payment scheme application form received on 10 May 2005 declared only 13.78 forage hectares. During processing of the application, an over-claim was discovered which resulted in a reduction of the forage area down to 12.1 hectares. Payment under the scheme, amounting to €450.58, which issued on 1 December 2005 and included the dairy premium, was based on the 12.1 eligible hectares. If the person named declares sufficient land on his 2006 single payment scheme application, he will be in a position to claim full entitlements.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 966: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single payment; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1283/06]

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

An application under the single payment scheme was received from the person named on 16 May 2005. A query arose in regard to one parcel and clarification was requested from the person named by letter dated 11 November 2005. As no reply was received my Department issued a reminder on 9 December 2005. To date, no reply has been received from the person named. The application cannot be processed for payment until this issue is resolved.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 967: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single payment; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1284/06]

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

Payment under the single payment scheme, in the amount of €11,467.69, issued to the person named on 18 January 2006.

This payment represents the full amount due to the person named, based on the area declared on his SPS application. While the person named had established 58.29 entitlements during the reference period, the payment made was based on 57.54 entitlements, in accordance with the rules of the scheme. The application received from the person named on 16 May 2005 declared a total of 57.54 eligible hectares, together with a further 5.74 hectares for forestry.

Under EU legislation, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions. If the person named declares sufficient land on his 2006 single payment application, he will be in a position to claim full entitlements.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 968: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single payment; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1285/06]

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

The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 29 April 2005. Payment amounting to €10,073.75 in respect of the single payment issued to the person named on 10 January 2006.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 969: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single and area aid payments; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1286/06]

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

The person named submitted an application under the single payment-disadvantaged areas scheme on 4 May 2005. Following initial processing, a problem was identified with one of the parcels claimed and the person was written to seeking clarification. The parcel in question was the subject of a dual claim and, following investigation, the parcel was not awarded to the person named and was rejected accordingly.

The person in question established 39.74 entitlements for 2005 with a net unit value of €87.45, giving a total value of €3,475.26. Following the processing of the application, however, the rejection of the parcel concerned resulted in an adjusted area of 31.74 hectares for payment purposes. Payment of €2,766.78, which represented this adjusted area, issued to the person named on 20 January 2006.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 970: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single payment; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1287/06]

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

The person named submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following processing of that application, the person named was notified on 20 January 2006 of the decision, that as the lands were leased the entitlements could not be transferred by way of gift or inheritance. an application form for the transfer of entitlements by way of private contract clause was forwarded to the person named for completion.

Upon receipt of the application for transfer of entitlements by way of private contract clause, my Department will notify the person named of the result of that application and arrange for the payment of the single payment scheme if appropriate.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 971: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) has not received their single payment; the amount that will be issued; when payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1288/06]

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

The person named had submitted an application for consideration in respect of the inheritance measure of the single payment scheme. Following processing of her application the person named was notified on 19 January 2006 that her application was successful and payment of her single payment will issue shortly.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 972: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the single payment for a person (details supplied) has been reduced; when the balance of payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1289/06]

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

In general, the single payment scheme is applicable to farmers who actively farmed in all or any of the three reference years 2000, 2001 and 2002, who were paid livestock premia and/or arable aid payments in one or more of those years and who, or whose successors submit a valid 2005 single payment scheme application. Based on the farming activity during the reference years, the person named established 2.43 entitlements with a net unit value of €224.55 giving a total of €545.65. an application under the single payment scheme was received on 12 May 2005 from the person named. Payment amounting to €545.65 which represents the full entitlement value, issued to the person named on 1 December 2005.

The person named also applied under category C of the national reserve which caters for farmers who, between 1 January 2000 and 19 October 2003, sold the milk quota into the milk quota restructuring scheme and converted their enterprise to a farming sector for which a direct payment under livestock premia or arable aid schemes would have been payable during the reference period 2000 to 2002. Allocations from the national reserve have yet to be decided.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 973: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the single payment for a person (details supplied) has been reduced; when the balance of payment will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1290/06]

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

Under EU legislation, in order to draw down his or her full single payment, an applicant must declare an eligible hectare to accompany each entitlement. This requirement was set out clearly in the documentation supplied to farmers on a number of occasions. While the person named established 73.69 entitlements, the single payment scheme application form received on 5 May 2005 declared a total of 45.42 forage hectares. Payment under the scheme, therefore, was based on the 45.42 hectares declared. If the person named declares sufficient land on his 2006 single payment scheme application, he will be in a position to claim full entitlements.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 974: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive their single payment scheme; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1309/06]

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

The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 13 May 2005. The person named applied to have his entitlements consolidated under the 2005 single payment scheme. His application has now been fully processed by my Department and full payment amounting to €5,530.70 will issue in the coming days.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 975: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when the single payment for a person (details supplied) will be released; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1349/06]

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

The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 10 May 2005. The person named applied to have his entitlements consolidated under the 2005 single payment scheme. His application has been fully processed and full payment amounting to €13,127.92 has issued on 24 January 2006.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 976: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will issue under the single payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [1351/06]

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

The person named applied for consideration in respect of the new entrant and inheritance measures of the single payment scheme. Following processing of his applications, he was notified that he was successful under both measures. However, the new entrant measure is more financially beneficial to him and arrangements have been made to exclude the years 2000 and 2001 from the calculation of his single payment and to base his entitlements on 2002 only. Arrangements have been made to have payment in respect of this scheme issued to the person named shortly.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 977: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment under the single payment scheme will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1356/06]

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

The person named submitted an application under the single payment scheme on 16 May 2005. The application has been fully processed and payment has issued in respect of the single payment scheme to the person named.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 978: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary under the single payment scheme. [1360/06]

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

The application under the 2005 single payment scheme for the person named has been fully processed and payment has issued.