Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) was disqualified from the agri-environment option scheme; if it is possible for the person to be re-instated in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28529/13]

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 the 1^st September 2010 and full payment totalling €1,001.66 issued in respect of 2010.

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. Payments in respect of the 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes the verification of capital investments through checks on receipts.

My Department issued a capital investment claim form for completion by the person named and also issued reminders on the need to submit a completed claim form for the Tree Planting - Standard action. My Department did not receive a completed claim for which is a requirement for the applicant's eligibility under the scheme. As a result, my Department had no option but to terminate the application of the person named. On the 19^th October 2012, a letter issued to the person named setting out this decision and providing the option to submit an appeal. There is no record of an appeal having been received in the Department. A further letter issued to the person named on the 10^th January 2013 requesting a refund of all monies paid out in respect of the 2010 scheme year. This letter also notified the person named of his right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.