Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has been asked to repay a REPS 4 overpayment amount, even though they complied with the terms of their contract for two and a half years and only reduced their holding on medical grounds. [48309/14]

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

Under the terms and condition of REPS participation in the scheme must be for a minimum of five years. Where a participant fails to complete their five year term aid already paid must be reimbursed.

The person named entered into a REPS4 contract in June 2009 for 36.77 hectares of land. This contract area was subsequently reduced to 15.31 hectares in 2012 and further reduced to 6.16 hectares in 2013. Consequently, a clawback was applied for the amount of €10,413.03.

An internal appeal on the clawback was lodged by the person named in August 2014 but was not successful. In November 2014 a letter issued to the person named outlining the reasons for the decision and advising them of their right to appeal the decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.