Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects payments to be made to successful applicants of the 2013 agri-environment options scheme. [10321/13]

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

An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 14th November 2012.

The initial processing of the applications has been completed and acknowledgement letters have issued to all applicants. The detailed actions listed in each application are currently being recorded and all applications will be ranked and selected according to the predetermined selection criteria. This process is expected to take several weeks and letters will issue to all applicants informing them of the outcome of the selection process in due course. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.

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 (LPIS), must be completed before any payment can issue. I expect that this process will be undertaken with a view to commencing payments to the successful applicants towards the end of the year.