Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2010. Under the EU Regulations governing the 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. During these checks a discrepancy arose in relation to the area claimed on one of the land parcels. Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with the person named and the problem is now being addressed with a view to issuing payment as quickly as possible.

I am well aware of the financial pressures on many farm families and of the importance of grant and scheme payments to their incomes and cash-flow. I have given the highest priority to the processing and payment of outstanding Agri-Environment Options Scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.

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

Question 153: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a headage scheme application payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28936/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2011, processing of which has recently been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue under the 2011 Disadvantaged Area Scheme on 7 October 2011. The 50% advance payments under the Single Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing as and from 17 October 2011.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the remaining 25% of 2010 agri-environment options scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28970/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person named was paid €456.08 on 29th August representing 75% of the 2010 entitlement under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme. I expect the remaining 25% of the 2010 entitlement to issue before the end of October. Payments in respect of 2011 will commence in December.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28971/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the case of the Single Farm Payment, it should be remembered that, while the earliest payment date provided for under EU rules is 1 December, as I am particularly conscious of the difficulties caused for farmers by the current financial crisis and am also acutely aware of the significance to the wider rural economy of the Single Payment, earlier this year I successfully sought the approval of the Commissioner to have advance payments made as and from 17 October. This is the earliest possible legal date for making payments, it being the start of the new EU financial year.

With regard to the person named, an application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received on 12 May 2011. On processing the application an over-claim was identified on one of the parcels declared by the applicant. The person named was written to in this regard on 3 October and an official from my Department also contacted the person named directly. This issue has now been resolved thereby allowing the application of the person named to be further processed, with a view to payment issuing as soon as payments under the Scheme commence issuing generally.