Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the agri environment options scheme and disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €430.44 and €2,582.77 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. These checks have been completed and full payment totalling €2,322.15 issued to the person named in respect of 2012 in February 2013.

However following a review of the file of the person named the tree planting option, which was originally rejected from the application of the person named has been re-instated. Additional payments are due to the person named in respect of both 2011 and 2012 as a consequence of this decision and officials in my Department are now making arrangements to issue these outstanding payments as soon as possible.

Insofar as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is concerned the person named successfully applied for derogation in regard to the 2011 stocking density but payment had not issued as the holding did not satisfy the 2012 Scheme minimum stocking density requirements.

An Official from my Department had been in direct contact with the person named with regard to the submission of the Original Donkey Passports. Following receipt and processing of these passports, the applicant has now been cleared for payment. This payment will issue directly to the Nominated Bank Account of the person named.