John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when allocation of entitlements from the national reserve will be put in place for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; the reason for the delay in their headage or area based compensation and single farm payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33513/06]

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 Category B, which 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 2000-02. Investments can include purchase or long term lease of land, purchase of suckler and/or ewe quota or other investments. The person named applied under Category B(i) in relation to purchased/leased land and B(iv) for other investments and has been deemed successful under both categories. The Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme provide that checks be made to ensure that an allocation from the National Reserve to an applicant who has already benefited under other measures associated with the Single Payment Scheme does not result in double benefit. An applicant may benefit from the measure that is most beneficial. The person named has already benefited from another measure (Force Majeure during the reference period) and an allocation from the Reserve would result in double benefit. Therefore, the force majeure has been rescinded in favour of an allocation from the Reserve which is more beneficial. A formal letter of decision together with relevant payment due will issue shortly to the person named. If the person is dissatisfied with my Department's decision on the National Reserve he will have the opportunity to appeal it to the Independent Single Payment Appeals Committee. An appeal application form is available from any of my Department's offices or on the Department website, www.agriculture.gov.ie. My Department is processing the application form under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme submitted by the person named. The applicant will be informed of the outcome when my Department has dealt with all outstanding issues.