Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in respect of extra allocation from the national reserve was not assessed by her Department from 1 July to 20 October 2006; the number of appeals currently not dealt with in her Department in respect of extra allocation from the national reserve; the number of personnel appointed to deal with these applications and appeals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35632/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The daughter of the person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the National Reserve under Category C. This category caters for farmers who were active milk producers who sold their milk quota into a re-structuring scheme and converted to a farming sector for which a direct payment under the Livestock and/or Arable Aid Schemes would have been payable in respect of the years 2000 to 2002. The person named sold his milk quota in April 2003 and ceased farming. He then gifted his farm and any associated Single Payment entitlements to his daughter in November 2003. As the daughter of the person named was neither an active milk producer nor the owner of a milk quota she did not therefore satisfy the criteria for Category C.

Under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve in excess of 7,600 applicants have been deemed unsuccessful of which over 1,100 have appealed the decisions made. A significant number of the appeals received relate to applicants being deemed unsuccessful as the required information in support of their National Reserve application was not submitted. In relation to all appeals received, the procedure is that all contentions put forward in support of an appeal are first of all reviewed within my Department to see whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant any change to the original decision. Due to the type and volume of additional information received and to ensure fair and equitable treatment to all appellants, this review process can take some time to complete. There are a total of 21 staff engaged in processing applications under the National Reserve. These staff also carry out reviews on foot of appeals lodged by unsuccessful applicants. Cases unsuccessful in the review are dealt with by the Single Payment Appeals Committee presided over by an independent Chairman and assisted by 4 Appeals Officers from the Agriculture Appeals Office.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of 2005 single farm payments applicants who have yet to be paid; the number of 2005 national reserve applicants still awaiting a decision; the number of 2006 single farm payment applicants who have yet to receive an interim payment; the steps she is taking to address the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35695/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the 2005 Single Payment Scheme, payments worth €1,180 million have been made to 127,838 applicants, who have declared eligible hectares and have entitlements under the Scheme, representing in excess of 99% of applicants. A further €14.2 million was paid in respect of Modulation refund. Insofar as the 2005 National Reserve is concerned the vast majority of applications have now been processed and decisions on eligibility have been made. Some €15m has been paid to successful applicants under this measure. Some 800 applications remain to be fully processed pending receipt of outstanding information in some cases while other cases have to be examined under the anti-accumulation measures.

Under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme, advance payments worth €549 million have been made to 116,700 applicants, who have declared eligible hectares and have entitlements under the Scheme, representing almost 92% of applicants.

In common with the coupled schemes, which the Single Payment Scheme replaced, delays in processing can be caused by many factors, including incomplete application forms, errors on applications and discrepancies highlighted following computer validation, which must be resolved via correspondence with the applicant. In many cases, payment could not be made because applicants did not submit an application to transfer the Single Payment entitlements, with lands, by way of inheritance, gift, lease or purchase; the majority of the 2006 cases which have yet to receive an advance payment are in the latter category.

My Department will continue to issue payments, under both the 2005 and 2006 Schemes, to farmers, as outstanding problems are resolved. Balancing payments under the 2006 Scheme are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2006.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 536: 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; when this person will be informed of a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35696/06]

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 D. This category 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 has been deemed successful under this Category. A formal letter of decision has issued to him and payment will issue shortly.

If the person named is dissatisfied with my Department's decision he now has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Independent Appeals Committee, setting out the facts and contentions on which he relies in support of his appeal. An appeals application is available from any of my Department's offices or on the Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to an appeal of a decision not to grant an allocation from the single farm payment national reserve to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35739/06]

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 C.

Category C caters for farmers who were active milk producers 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. Documentation received in my Department from the person named indicates that he ceased supplying milk in November 1998 and therefore was deemed unsuccessful as he was not an active milk producer up to the date of sale of the milk quota.

My Department has no record of an appeal from the person named. However, he has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Independent Appeals Committee setting out the facts and contentions on which he relies in support of his appeal. An appeals application is available from any of my Department's offices or on the Department's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.