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

Question 504: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for dairy equipment grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14071/12]

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

The person concerned submitted an application for grant-aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme during the course of the first tranche under that Scheme which closed on 31 January 2012. The tranche concerned is heavily over-subscribed and the selection process set out in the scheme Terms and Conditions will be required in order to determine those applications which will proceed to the approval stage. Applications which are not selected to go forward to the approval stage will be carried over to the next tranche. The applicant will be notified of the outcome of his application as soon as possible.

It is a strict condition of all my Department's on-farm investment measures that grant-aid shall not be paid in respect of works commenced or equipment purchased before written approval has issued to a farmer under the Scheme concerned.

Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 505: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the penalties that were imposed on a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for such penalties; if the penalties incurred are spread over the duration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14126/12]

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 November 2010 subject to two outstanding issues being satisfactorily clarified.

During the course of the administration checks it was not possible to satisfactorily resolve the outstanding issues. The person named completed the Natura form despite the fact that further administrative checks revealed that there was no commonage or Natura land on the farm. Also the person named applied for actions that require a minimum stocking density. Subsequent checks revealed that the person named did not meet the eligibility conditions in this regard.

A letter issued to the person named informing her of this. The person named has appealed this decision to my Department. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing this file and a letter will shortly issue to the person named informing her of the outcome.