Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1213: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason the application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway for entitlements under the national reserve was not successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29763/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Categories A, B and D.

Category A caters for farmers who inherited land or received land free of charge or for a nominal sum from a farmer who had retired or died by 16 May 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000-2002. The person named was unsuccessful under this category as he did not acquire the holding free of charge or for a nominal sum.

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. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments. The person named was unsuccessful as there was no evidence of investment as required under this category.

Category D caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2002 or who commenced farming in 2002 on purchased or inherited land but who received no direct payments in respect of that scheme year. The person named was unsuccessful as the land declared was leased land which is ineligible under this category.

If the person named is dissatisfied with my Department's decision in relation to the National Reserve, he now has the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Independent Payment Appeals Committee. An appeals application form is available from any of my Department's offices or on the Department website at

www.agriculture.gov.ie.