Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retrospective penalties for land eligibility overclaims is causing serious concern and upset to the farmers affected particularly in view the fact that many of these claims were made in good faith based on the most accurate information available at the time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6114/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be fully aware of the value of the EU funded Direct Payment Schemes to Ireland. Each year farmers in Ireland benefit from funding of over €1.5 billion under Schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Agri-Environment Schemes, etc. This comprises the entire net income of many thousands of Irish farmers.

The European Commission has an obligation to ensure that Member States manage and use the EU funding granted to them in accordance with the very restrictive provisions governing the Schemes and general financial provisions. Under the Common Agricultural Policy, this is done by way of a Clearance of Accounts procedure. This is a formal process and both the Commission and Member States are obliged to adhere to the requirements laid down in the legislation. In the case of Ireland, the Clearance procedure is currently covering five financial years involving the 2008 to 2012 scheme-years. In that regard, I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to ensure that Ireland’s case and the position of Irish farmers is strenuously argued during the process.

I would like to confirm that each year my Department forwards maps, Terms and Conditions and covering explanatory letters to all applicants. In all of the documentation forwarded, it is made very clear to farmers that they should not claim on any ineligible land or features such as houses, buildings, farmyards, lakes, bogs or scrub etc.

I am fully aware of the outcome of the review on individual cases and in that regard I have implemented a comprehensive review and appeals process to ensure that the cases of individual farmers are fully scrutinised. In the first instance, a farmer, who finds himself or herself in this position, can seek a review of the original decision by Department officials. If they are not happy with the outcome of the review, they can submit an appeal to the Independent LPIS Appeals Committee, chaired by Mr Pádraig Gibbons. In addition, I have put in place a process where an on-the-spot verification can be undertaken by one of my Department’s officials to assist farmers with land eligibility issues.