Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon has not received a decision on their 2005 national reserve application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33791/06]

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, 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 before 16 May, 2005 and who had leased out his/her holding to a third party during the reference period 2000 to 2002. The person named was 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 person named applied under B(i) in relation to purchased/leased land and has been deemed unsuccessful as he did not make an investment in land either by purchase or long term lease. He also applied under category B(ii) for suckler quota purchased and has been deemed successful under this category.

Category C caters for farmers who 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. The person named was deemed unsuccessful under this category as the conversion from dairying to another farming sector is already reflected in the value of his Single Payment entitlements.

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 person named was deemed unsuccessful as he did not comply with the off-farm income limits as required under this category.

A formal letter of decision together with relevant payment due in respect of category B(ii) 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.