Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 agri-environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52241/13]

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 December 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year has been successfully completed and 75% payment issued to the person named on the 27^th November 2013. I expect that the balancing 25% payment in respect of 2013 will issue shortly.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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198. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive their agri-environment option scheme payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52246/13]

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^st September 2011 and full payment has issued in respect of 2011.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, 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 13^th November 2012. During this inspection, issues of non compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Laying of Hedgerows action which resulted in a reduction and a penalty being imposed.

Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. During these checks it was discovered that the person named failed to deliver the Establishment and Maintenance of Habitat action the under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme and as a result of this a further penalty was imposed. Officials in my Department are processing the application of the person named on this basis and arrangements are being made to issue payment for the 2012 Scheme year as soon as possible.

Once the 2012 Scheme year payment has issued, the current year’s payment will be processed and paid, subject to the results of administrative checks.