John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in making payments under the 2012 and 2013 agri-environment options scheme 1 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52815/13]

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 payments have issued in respect of the 2010 and 2011 Scheme years.

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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks in respect of the 2012 Scheme year a query arose in respect of land parcels declared, an appeal was lodged by the applicant and as a result the lands in question were to be re-digitised. This digitisation has now been completed by my Department and the application is being processed with a view to making the AEOS payment in respect of 2012 as soon as possible.

Following the issue of the 2012 payment, the checking process will get underway in respect of the 2013 Scheme year.