Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 473: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding application for entitlement under the national reserve for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick who has been processed under B1. [31517/06]

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 Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B.

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 also applied under the Inheritance measure of the Single Payment Scheme and while inheritance of entitlements was awarded, it subsequently came to the Department's attention that the land was in fact purchased. In these circumstances the Private Contract Clause measure should have been used to purchase the entitlements. This case will now be processed as a Private Contract Clause whereupon the entitlements purchased can then be topped up under Category B1 of the National Reserve.

A formal letter of decision together with relevant payment due will issue shortly to the person named. If the person named is dissatisfied with my Department's decision in relation to the National Reserve he will then have 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.

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

Question 474: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason persons (details supplied) in County Clare have not received payment from the national reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31555/06]

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

the persons named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2005 Single Payments Scheme National Reserve under categories A B C 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 persons named were not successful under this category as the land acquired was not leased out during the reference period.

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 persons named were not successful under this category as there was no evidence of investment, which is required for this category.

Category C caters for farmers who 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. The persons named were not successful under this category as they were not the herdowner who sold the milk into the restructuring scheme.

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 persons named have been deemed to be successful under this category. A formal letter setting out my Department's decision has issued to the persons named and relevant payment due will issue shortly.

This particular case also involved Inheritance and Private Contract Clause which first had to be processed and subsequently the entitlements were topped-up by the allocation from the National Reserve. If the persons named are dissatisfied with my Department's decision in relation to the National Reserve, they now have 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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 475: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received their area based compensatory allowance for 2006; the further reason for the delay; and when their payment will issue. [31614/06]

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

An application under the 2006 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2006. Following initial processing of this application, it appeared that the minimum stocking level required under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme had not been complied with. However, following direct contact between an official of my Department and the person named, he is to submit documentation which should satisfactorily resolve the problem and enable payment to issue.