Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment for 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11691/13]

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 1 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. To date 75% payment totalling €2,721.24 issued on 4 March 2013 in respect of 2012. My Department is currently examining the issues identified with the intention of issuing the balancing 25% payment in respect of 2012 as soon as possible.