Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of single farm payment applications which have been received from applicants in County Roscommon and County Leitrim respectively in each year since the introduction of the SFP; the value of payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43916/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The following table outlines the position in relation to applications lodged, paid and the value of those payments, in respect of each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, in respect of the Single Payment Scheme, for counties Roscommon and Leitrim.

In addition to those applying under the Single Payment Scheme, SPS applications are also lodged by farmers in connection with participation in the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, in addition to SPS applications also being lodged in connection with the transfer of SPS entitlements. The 2008 payment figures quoted represent the current position, balancing payments having commenced issuing on 1 December 2008.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of their single payment. [43924/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 8th April 2008.

This application was selected for a satellite eligibility inspection. This inspection raised a number of issues relating to the parcels claimed by the person named. As a result this file has been forwarded for a ground eligibility inspection to clarify the issues. The ground eligibility inspection will be carried out as a matter of priority. No payment will issue until this matter is resolved.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) will receive payment from his Department following a May 2008 application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43947/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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An application was received on 1 April 2008 requesting the transfer of 80.63 Single Payment entitlements to the person named from another farmer by way of lease. The entitlements in question are categorized as 'National Reserve' entitlements. EU Regulation provide that National Reserve entitlements may not, except in the case of gift or inheritance, be transferred for a period of five years from the date of their allocation. Consequently, the transfer application has been rejected and letters to this effect have issued to the herdowners concerned.

In addition the person named also submitted an application for consideration under Category B of the 2008 National Reserve which caters for farmers who commenced farming after 31 December 2005. My Department received a letter dated 14 January 2008 from the Agricultural Consultant on behalf of the person named requesting that his National Reserve application be withdrawn. A letter issued to the person named on 25 November 2008 confirming that the National Reserve application was withdrawn as requested.

However the Agricultural Consultant subsequently contacted my Department late last week and confirmed that the person named did not want to withdraw his National Reserve application. This application is currently being further reviewed and a decision will issue shortly.

An application under the 2008 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2008. One of the primary provisions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is that applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as potentially not meeting this minimum stocking density requirement, the applicant is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports.

The person named was written to on 13 October and again on 12 November inviting him to submit appropriate evidence of the numbers of livestock maintained on his farm. On receipt of a satisfactory responses from the person named, the application will be further processed with a view to payment at an early date.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their 40% dairy hygiene grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43948/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Improvement Scheme. Applications under this Scheme are being processed by my Department up to the level of funding provided for the Scheme in the 2006 Partnership agreement, Towards 2016.