Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway did not receive their full single farm payment and considering they were not given the opportunity of an appeal which seems to be very unfair, if he will further examine this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7028/12]

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 May 2011. This application was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. During the course of this inspection discrepancies were found that resulted in a claimed area of 27.37ha being reduced to 25.37ha. If the total area found is not sufficient to support the number of entitlements held penalties will be applied per the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. In this case the number entitlements held by the person named is 34.22. As the difference between the area declared and the area found is more than 3%, under EU Regulations, the difference between the area found and the area claimed is doubled and deducted from the area found. As a result the area put forward for payment under the Single Payment Scheme was 21.37ha.

The person named was informed of this decision by formal notice on 13 January 2012 and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal the outcome of any such review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office. To date there is no record of such a request being made but this question will be taken as such a request and the review will be considered. The person named will be informed of the outcome as soon as it is available.

Payment under the Single Payment Scheme was made on 19 January 2012 with payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme made on 14 January 2012, in respect of the reduced area.