Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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529. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of 2012 agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18492/13]

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 1 September 2011. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks for 2011 an overclaim was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow which resulted in a penalty. The 75% payment totalling €999.98 in respect of the 2011 scheme year issued on 31 January 2013 and the balancing 25% payment €182.93 (net of penalty) issued on 5 March 2013.

Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. During these checks an overclaim of 0.20 hectares was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura owned parcel. Officials in my Department are now finalising the application of the person named with the intention of issuing payment for 2012 as soon as possible.