Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a file relating to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be transferred from his Department to the Agriculture Appeals Office to enable the appeal to be decided on, in view of the fact that the file has been requested on four occasions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30214/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 December 2010 and full payment totalling €416.65 issued in respect of 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. The application was also selected for an inspection which resulted in a penalty being imposed. A letter detailing this penalty issued to the person named on 23 December 2011. An appeal was submitted on 9 January 2012. The appeal was unsuccessful and on 30 January 2012 a letter to this effect issued to the person named.

An appeal was submitted to the Agriculture Appeals Office on 29 February 2012. In order to process the appeal, the Agriculture Appeals Office requested a report on the facts and contentions advanced by the appellant. However due to a staff vacancy in the Western Region the appeal is currently awaiting review. I expect this post will be filled shortly and this appeal will then be given priority.