Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a REP scheme 4 claw back appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8419/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the full six years of their contract.

REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. According to the Terms and Condition of the Scheme “Farmers must make a valid application and carry out their farming activities in accordance with an Agri-environmental Plan prepared by an approved Planner respecting all relevant EU requirements and national legislation for the time being in force”. In 2011 the person named disposed of 6.57 hectares of the 27.35 hectares of land eligible for payment under REPS. This resulted in the application of a clawback of monies paid. The person named has lodged an appeal and the matter is currently the subject of a review by my Department. A decision will be issued to the person named shortly.