Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [3971/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 11 April 2014. During the validation of the application, issues relating to the verification of compliance with the minimum stocking density were identified.

There are two criteria to be satisfied in relation to those applicants under 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme availing of equines to meet the minimum stocking density requirement. In the first instance, the holding itself must meet the definition of an Equine Breeding Enterprise and secondly, horses must be aged one to five years and, where older, must be a breeding mare for the purposes of the Scheme.

The person named had bovines and one equine on the holding during 2014. He submitted one equine passport to my Department but, on examination it was found that this was not in respect of a breeding mare that foaled in years, 2011, 2012 or 2013. Accordingly, no payment is due under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the applicant with regard to this issue.