Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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534. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri environment options scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the payment is being held up because of a penalty of less than three percent; if so, if the payment could be processed manually because the scheme participant is most anxious to receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2492/13]

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 the 1st September 2010 and full payments totalling €1,050.30 and €3,629.48 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively.

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 for 2012 an issue was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland action which resulted in a 2.25% penalty reduction in two land parcels. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named on this basis and arrangements are being made to issue payment as soon as possible.