Written answers

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Photo of Seán ConlanSeán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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355. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has still not received their single farm payment and or area aid payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47921/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 15 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection.

The ground eligibility inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of less than 2 hectares. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the schemes, this results in the 2013 payments being based on the found area.

The person named will be notified of this decision shortly and of their right to seek a review of this decision. In the event that the person named in dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.

Processing of payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas' Scheme have recently been finalised on the basis set out above and will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of person named.

Photo of Seán ConlanSeán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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356. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has still not received their single farm payment and or area aid payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47922/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As processing of the application of the person named has recently been finalised, payment in respect of which is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47939/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 13th May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases, land eligibility inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

In order to meet the EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, these were sent for ground inspection.

The ground inspection has now been carried out and the results have been finalised as an over claim of greater than 20%. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Single Payment Scheme this results in a nil payment in respect of 2013. The person named was notified of this decision on 7th November 2013. The person named was also informed of his right to seek a review of this decision. To date there is no record of any appeal having been received in my Department.

In the event that the person named does appeal and is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such appeal, the decision can also be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within a period of 3 months.

My Department also received a 2013 Transfer of Entitlements Application from the person named to transfer 3.75 entitlements by way of sale to another farmer.

An official from my Department contacted the person named as the entitlements in question were leased entitlements and it is not possible to sell leased entitlements. The person named was advised that if he wished to proceed with the transfer it was necessary to end the original lease and have the entitlements in question gifted to him.

My Department has recently received a new Transfer of Entitlements application from the person named to have the 3.75 entitlements gifted to him from another person. However, no application has been received in relation to the subsequent sale of these entitlements. Once the relevant documentation is received this transfer will be processed.

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a cut in area based payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47941/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed over-claims in respect of a number of land parcels declared by the person named. The person named was recently notified of this error by letter. Maps of the relevant land parcels and information on how the person named could seek a review of this decision were included with the letter. To date, no response has been received.

In the meantime, payments have recently issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on the revised eligible area. Should the person named appeal the decision regarding the over-claims and should that appeal be successful, then supplementary payments will, of course, be made.

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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359. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47968/13]

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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360. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47969/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

The person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 15th May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases, land eligibility inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

In order to meet the EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, these were sent for ground inspection.

The ground inspection has now been carried out and the results are being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named. Given the circumstances outlined by the Deputy I have arranged for the processing of this application to finality to be prioritised.

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