Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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511. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pay the full AEOS payment in one instalment to farmers in view of the delays in issuing payments for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20962/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) require that administrative checks must be carried out on all applications and on-the-spot checks must be carried out on at least 5% of beneficiaries.

The regulations further provide that Member States may issue up to 75% of the payment, but no more than that, once all administrative checks have been completed. The balancing 25% may issue only after all on-the-spot checks have been completed. It is not an option to make the full AEOS payment in a single instalment without deferring payment until such time as all checks are complete. It is for that reason that my Department opts to issue payment in two tranches, ensuring that participants receive up to 75% of the entire amount due as soon as possible.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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512. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the AEOS 2013 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20964/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013.

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, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of 2013 and 75% payment issued to the person named on 7 May 2014. The balancing 25% payment will follow.