Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in issuing an agri environment option scheme payment to a person (details provided) in County Cork [10635/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 September 2011.

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 an overclaim was discovered in respect of the claimed area on the Traditional Hay Meadow action. Officials in my Department are now finalising the application of the person named and arrangements are being made to issue payment for 2011 as soon as possible.

Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. These checks have now been completed and following the payment for 2011, the payment in respect of 2012 will be finalised.