Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when agri-environment option scheme will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the financial hardship that is caused by delays in such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29060/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment options scheme with effect from the 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 query arose in relation to the accumulation of actions on one of the land parcels. Officials in my Department have been in direct contact with the person named and the problem is 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.