Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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561. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23710/13]

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 and has received full payment totalling €771.28 in respect of 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. The person named was also selected for a ground inspection which took place on 13 November 2012. During this inspection, issues of non compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation the Riparian Margin action, which resulted in a penalty being imposed.

A letter issued to the person named informing her of this penalty and giving her the option to appeal the decision. The person named submitted an appeal to my Department and the original decision was overturned. Full payment totalling €3,397.48 has now issued to the person named in respect of the 2012 scheme year – 75% payment issued on 22 April 2013 and the balancing 25% payment issued on 23 April 2013.