John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 449: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on his appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33246/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11th of May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance inspection.

During the course of the inspection an issue was raised concerning the requirement to maintain lands in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition, specifically in relation to the prevention of encroachment of invasive species. Correspondence has been received from the person named on the matter and is being considered, formal notification of the outcome of the inspection will issue to the person named shortly. Should he be dissatisfied with the outcome of the inspection he retains the right to seek a review. He also retains the right to have the outcome of any such review appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

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

Question 450: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment and area aid payment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33253/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 11th May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed.

In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing and priority is given to applications who were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

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

Question 451: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their single payment scheme and disadvantaged area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33256/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 8th April 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed.

In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing and priority is given to applications who were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

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

Question 452: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when headage and single farm payment will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33257/11]

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

An application under the 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantage Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised, thereby allowing the 50% advance of the Single Payment and full payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme to issue in the coming days.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 453: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of overpayment assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Galway for the period 2005 to 2010 under the single payment scheme and the disadvantage area scheme; the amount recouped by him to date; the balance now due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33263/11]

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

As part of EU requirements my Department has been reviewing the areas claimed by applicants under the Single Payment scheme in the years 2005 – 2010 with a view to excluding ineligible areas. This review is in place to ensure that the area of land parcels claimed by applicants for payment under the Single Payment Scheme accurately reflects the eligible area for the purposes of such payment and that any ineligible area (e.g. roads, farmyards, woods, scrub, etc.), have been excluded from the claimed area.

The individuals concerned were written to with regard to the reduction in eligible area/possible overpayments and were offered an opportunity to appeal the Departments findings. Maps and letters were issued to the applicants outlining the ineligible areas and stating the new Reference Areas. As a result of the review, overpayments arose for the scheme years 2005 to 2010 for the person named, as follows: under the Single Payment Scheme the sum amounted to €2,583.67 (of which €2,242.04 has been recovered, leaving a balance outstanding of €341.63), while under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme the sum amounted to €1,367.40, which has been fully recouped.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 454: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/11]

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

An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011, following processing of which an over-claim was identified on one of the land parcels declared. The person named was written to on 4 November in this regard and, immediately on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the application will be further processed with a view to the appropriate payment issuing shortly thereafter.

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

Question 455: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a payment under the 2008 calf welfare scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33275/11]

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

The person named registered ten beef breed animals in 2008. The Scheme, commonly referred to as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, is in fact called the Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme. An integral component of this Scheme is the establishment of a comprehensive breeding database to assist suckler farmers identify the best breeding sires for their requirements and to this end the provision of a sire number for each calf is required. Sire details have not been received in respect of eight animals. The applicant should be able to obtain the necessary sire information from the company, who employed the person (now deceased) who carried out the artificial insemination. Receipts are not required.

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

Question 456: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the agri-environment options scheme and single farm payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33284/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 21st April 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility/Cross Compliance Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed.

In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing and priority is given to applications who were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

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 a number of the land parcels and applicant was asked to submit amendments to SPS Section in Portlaoise. To date these amendments have not been received in SPS Section. Officials in my Department have been in contact again with the person named with a view to getting claim sorted 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-Enviornment Options Scheme payments and to the elimination of all unnecessary delays.

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

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their agri-environment options scheme payment; the amount of that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33314/11]

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 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. This application was also randomly selected for an on-farm inspection. During this inspection an issue arose in respect of the area claimed under Species Rich Grassland. This matter is currently being examined by my Department with a view to finalising the processing of the application as quickly as possible.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 458: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the single farm payment for 2011 has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 1 April 2011, following processing of which dual claims were identified in respect of three land parcels declared by the person named. Following correspondence with my Department, the person named confirmed in writing, on 30 September, that he did not have the right to declare these parcels. The application was then processed as per the Terms and Conditions of the Single Payment Scheme, based on the governing EU Regulations, resulting in no payment being due to the person named as the dual claimed parcels exceeded 20% of his application.

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

Question 459: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their single farm payment; the amount of that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2011, following processing of which an over-claim was identified on one of the land parcels declared. The person named has been written to in this regard and, immediately on receipt of a satisfactory reply, the application will be further processed with a view to the appropriate payment issuing shortly thereafter.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 460: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payment for area aid single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/11]

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

In order to receive payment under the Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area schemes it is a requirement for applicants to submit an application prior to the closing date, which for the 2011 scheme year was 16 May 2011. Records held by my Department indicate that a pre-printed 2011 SPS application form was sent to the person named on 29 March 2011. My Department has no record of receiving a 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area application from the person named. All Single Payment applications sent out by my Department contained a pre-addressed return envelope with a Swiftpost label attached for which the herd owner receives a receipt from the Post Office upon posting. If the person named can provide this proof of postage or provide an explanation as to why the application form does not appear to have been returned, my Department will review the case based on the information and documentation submitted.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 461: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [33353/11]

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

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 10th of May 2011. This application was selected for and was the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. This inspection was completed and the results are now being processed.

In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. Processing of these changes is continuing and priority is given to applications who were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 462: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing a person (details supplied) in County Longford with their suckler cow grant payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33354/11]

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

The person named registered nineteen beef breed calves under the 2009 Suckler Welfare Scheme and seventeen calves under the 2010 Scheme. Payment has issued in respect of seven of the 2009 born animals but errors have been identified with the remaining twelve animals. A letter was recently issued to the applicant by my Department regarding these errors and the matter will be reviewed on receipt of a reply.

To date, weaning information has only been received in respect of two of the 2010 born animals. Payment cannot be considered until the dates of weaning have been received for the remaining animals and the procedures followed have been found to be in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 463: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive their REP scheme payment 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33358/11]

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

The person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first two years of the contract.

In addition, 75% of the year 3 payment issued on 23rd May 2011 for the amount of €6265.65 and the balancing payment of 25% issued on 26th May 2011 for the amount of €2088.55. The administration checks in respect of 2011 payments are currently being carried out and I expect that payments in respect of 2011 will commence later this month or in early December.