Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the full single farm payment and agri environment option scheme was not paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; when it is likely to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2011 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, processing of which has recently been finalised. An advance of the Single Payment issued to the person named on 10 November 2011 with the final balancing payment issuing on 20 April 2012. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued on 16 November 2011.

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 November 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 query arose in respect of land parcels declared which required digitisation of the areas concerned. This digitisation query has been satisfactorily resolved and the file is currently being processed with a view to making payment in respect of 2010 at the earliest opportunity.

Payments in respect of the 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments related to approved AEOS actions. These checks have now been completed and following the payment of year 1, the payment in respect of year 2 will be finalised.