Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed explanation regarding a deduction made from the disadvantaged area scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41624/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named had an outstanding debt in relation to the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme which totalled €1,275.89 along with interest of €21.29. As the person named did not reimburse this payment to AEOS Section, it was recouped from the applicant’s Disadvantaged Area Scheme payment.

The person applied for and was accepted into the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2010. Payment of €1,275.89 issued to them in respect of 2010. Payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year is subject to an administrative checking process and during this checking his claim for tree planting was deemed ineligible. As the tree planting action was necessary for the applicant’s eligibility for the Scheme, his contract was terminated. The applicant appealed this decision and the file was reviewed and the original decision upheld.

A letter issued to the applicant on 9 January, 2013 informing him that he must repay the €1,275.89 and that arrangements would be made to recoup this money from other Departmental payments if full payment was not received.