Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for refusal of entry into agri-environment options scheme 3 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37181/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 7 December 2012. The process of ranking and selecting all AEOS applicants was clearly set out in the scheme documentation. Acceptance into the scheme was established using pre-determined selection criteria, which included farm-size and which prioritised smaller holdings.

Unfortunately, the person named was not successful because his farm-size was outside the range selected and on 27 May 2013 a letter issued to him informing him of the outcome and setting out the reasons. The person was also informed of his right of appeal to AEOS Section.

An appeal was received from the person named and following review the original decision was upheld. He was then informed of the right to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office, which he did. The Agriculture Appeals Office also upheld the original decision.