Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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454. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment in respect of agri environment option scheme 2 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39213/13]

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^st September 2011 and full payment totalling €1,001.42 issued 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 selected for a ground inspection which took place on 31^st October 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme were noted in relation to the Grassland Habitat action which resulted in a penalty being incurred. On 22^nd January 2013, a letter issued to the person named informing him of this and outlining his appeal option. To date, there is no record of an appeal having been received by officials in my Department. The application is being processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payment will issue shortly.