Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a penalty was imposed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway in relation to their single payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24967/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was the subject of an inspection by the ERAD/Animal Health Division of my Department on the 21th of September 2011. This inspection uncovered discrepancies that involved the Tagging of Animals and the failure to notify movements of cattle to the Animal Identification and Movement system (formerly Cattle Movement and Monitoring System). A report detailing these discrepancies was subsequently made available to the Cross Compliance Unit of the Single Payment Scheme and resulted in a 5% penalty being recorded against the 2011 payments of the person named. The person named was informed of this decision on 27th of April 2012 and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal the outcome of any review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date no such review has been received.

As payments under the 2011 Disadvantaged Area Scheme and Single Payment Scheme had already issued, my Department will be initiating a process to recoup this penalty and a letter will issue shortly informing the person named of the overpayment amount and how it can be repaid. If no repayment is made the overpayment and any interest charged will be recouped from payments due to the person named in 2012 .