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

In order to receive payment under the Single Payment Scheme, a person must have Single Payment Entitlements. The person named does not have Single Payment Entitlements. He did not farm during the reference years 2000-2002. He inherited land from his mother in 2001 but did not commence farming in his own right until 2005. He did not inherit any entitlements because the land that he inherited had been rented out to another farmer during the reference years. He did not lease in or buy in any entitlements. As a new entrant to farming in 2005, he could have applied for entitlements to the National Reserve. There is no record of such an application.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 231: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farmer (details supplied) in County Monaghan will be awarded their REP scheme payment which was due in September 2006 but held up on a technicality; if she has satisfied herself that this is an acceptable way to encourage young farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9224/07]

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

My Department's records have revealed that the farming enterprise of the person named produced considerably in excess of the REPS upper limit of 170 kgs organic nitrogen per hectare in 2005. This is a serious breach of the Scheme conditions. He was informed of this breach by letter on 4 September 2006 and was asked for an explanation. He provided an unsatisfactory explanation on 18 December 2006 and my Department will be writing to him again shortly.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a farmer (details supplied) in County Cavan will have their inheritance sorted out and money awarded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9225/07]

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 2005 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Categories A B 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 to 2002. The person named was deemed unsuccessful under this category as the land was not acquired free of charge or for a nominal fee.

Category B caters for farmers who 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 in relation to investment in land and was deemed successful.

A formal letter outlining my Department's decision on the National Reserve has issued to the person named and the relevant payment due has issued.

Category D caters for farmers who inherited or purchased land and 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 under this category as leased land was not eligible under this category in 2005.

The person named submitted an appeal against this decision. This appeal was forwarded to the Independent Single Payments Appeals Committee who have completed their review and they have upheld my Department's decision. A letter outlining the decision of the Committee has issued to the person named.

The person named also submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements from the 2006 Single Payment Scheme National Reserve under Category B.

Category B in the 2006 National Reserve 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 position is that processing of the 2006 National Reserve applications will commence shortly and the intention is to make allocations to successful applicants at the earliest opportunity.

A formal letter outlining my Department's decision on the 2006 National Reserve will issue to the person named as soon as his application has been processed.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 233: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason for the delay in issuing a single farm payment to a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9229/07]

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

The position is that an application for the Transfer of Entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme to the person named was submitted on the 27th April 2006.

During processing of the Transfer application it was necessary for an official of my Department to request specific documentation relating to the application. The requested information was received and the application is now fully processed.

Payment in respect of 12.51 transferred entitlements will issue shortly.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 234: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason there has been a delay in the REP scheme payment to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [9249/07]

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

There has been no delay in dealing with this application, which was received on 18 January and was processed in accordance with Charter of Rights for Farmers guidelines. Payment issued on 28 February.