Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry under the national reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31104/06]

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 Payments Scheme National Reserve under categories A and D. It should be noted that the rules governing the Single Payment Scheme National Reserve stipulate that an applicant who is found to be eligible under more than one category may only receive an allocation of entitlements under whichever category is most beneficial.

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 has been deemed successful under this Category. A formal letter outlining my Department's decision has issued to the person named and payment will issue shortly.

Category D caters for farmers, who inherited or purchased land and 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 person named did not qualify under this Category as the land applied for was leased land. 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.