Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their agri-environment options scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12292/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named has been approved into the AEOS scheme with a start date of 1 September 2010.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. I expect that payments to participants in the scheme in respect of the first year will commence in August and that payments in respect of year two will commence in October. I am working with my officials to bring the payments forward if at all possible as I can understand the need for expediency.