Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the stocking rate in 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15747/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The budgeted expenditure under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is being reduced to from €220 million to €190 million. In order to make the necessary savings it is proposed to make technical adjustments to the Scheme criteria to ensure that the aid payment is focused on farmers whose farming enterprises are situated exclusively in DAS areas and who are making a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of the Scheme, which are defined in the governing EU legislation as follows:

· To ensure continued agricultural land use and thereby contribute to the maintenance of a viable rural community;

· To maintain the countryside;

· To maintain and promote sustainable farming systems which, in particular, take account of environmental protection measures.

As the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, it is necessary to obtain the agreement of the EU Commission to any proposed changes; my officials have been involved in ongoing discussions with Commission officials in this regard and a decision is awaited. It should be noted that the proposed criteria may be subject to some changes following the conclusion of the discussions with the EU Commission.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 581: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is understood that the Deputy is referring to the proposed changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. As the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is co-funded by the EU under the Rural Development Programme 2007/2013, it is necessary to obtain the agreement of the EU Commission to any proposed changes; my officials are involved in ongoing discussions with Commission officials in this regard and a decision is awaited. It should be noted that the proposed criteria may be subject to some changes following the conclusion of the discussions with the EU Commission. However, it is intended that, should agreement be forthcoming, those farmers who do not qualify for the 2012 Scheme on the basis of not having achieved a minimum stocking rate of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 will be allowed appeal, with provision will be made for exceptional circumstances, including recognised Force Majeure.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15784/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011. During processing of the application an apparent over-claim was identified in respect of a land parcel and the person named disputed the reference area assigned to this parcel under my Department's Land Parcel Identification System. The matter was re-examined by my Department's mapping section following which the original reference area was re-assigned to this parcel and payment will issue to the person named in the near future.