Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason persons (details supplied) in County Galway have received a bill for €3,762 for an alleged overpayment of the 2001 extensification scheme; the further reason it has taken six years for this notification to be sent to the applicant; if such an outstanding debt became payable in 2001, the reason it had not been deducted from other payments made after that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6120/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The position is that the overpayment in this case was originally established in January 2003. A letter issued to the applicant on 13 February 2003 setting out details of the overpayment. The overpayment was recorded under the name of the person who was the registered herdowner up until 13 April 2001 following which the persons named became the registered herdowners. The overpayment was not subsequently deducted because of the change in the registration details of the herdnumber. A further communication regarding the overpayment was issued automatically to the applicant recently. However, my officials have since reviewed the original decision to raise the overpayment and have concluded that the overpayment should not have been established. I very much regret therefore that the most recent communication issued erroneously to the applicant. My Department will now write to the applicant confirming that no overpayment exists.