Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

483. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53872/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1^st September 2011 and payment has issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. In addition a 75% payment for 2013 issued on the 28^th November 2013 and I expect the balancing 25% payment to follow shortly.

There is an appeal from the person named arising from the withdrawal of an action from their application which resulted in a penalty of 10% on payment for the 2011 Scheme year. A review of the 10% penalty was carried out as a result of documentation which was received in my Department on 28^th January 2013. This review resulted in the original decision to apply the 10% penalty being upheld. The person named requested that a new action, to replace the hedgerows, be included on their application. This request could not be acceded to because commitments under the Scheme must be chosen at the outset and must be delivered for at least 5 years. A letter issued to the person named informing her of this and giving the option to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The person named has submitted an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office and the matter is being examined. The person named will be notified of the result in due course.

.