Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when final payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6131/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 16th of May 2011. This application was selected for a Cross Compliance inspection.

During the course of the inspection breaches were recorded relating to Bovine Passports, failure to notify movements to the Cattle Movement and Monitoring System and an inadequately maintained herd register. As some of these breaches were repeat offences from a similar inspection in 2010, a 15% penalty was recorded and was subsequently deducted from his direct payments in 2011. The person named was informed of this decision on the 12th of January 2012 and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal the outcome of a review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date, no such review request has been submitted.

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and has received 75% payment in respect of 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, had to be completed before any payment could issue. The cross compliance penalty, in this case 5%, must be applied and payment for the remaining 25%, less the penalty will issue at the earliest opportunity.