Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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335. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of agri-environment options scheme moneys and hardship grant regarding TB restrictions will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4613/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application was received from the herd owner concerned under the TB Hardship Grant Scheme (which applies in the period 1 November to 30 April)  following the restriction of his holding on 13 November 2014. This grant is payable in monthly tranches in arrears where the period of restriction exceeds two months (i.e. the initial two-month period of the restriction is not eligible). Accordingly, in this case, the initial reckonable period for the Hardship Grant is 13 January to 12 February 2015.  An assessment of the applicant’s eligibility, in terms of income and compliance with the restriction in the relevant period, will take place at that stage and, if eligible, payment will be made as soon as possible thereafter. In relation to AEOS, the person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 September 2010 and payment has issued in respect of the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Scheme years. 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 the 2014 Scheme year and 75% payment issued on 9 December 2014 and the balancing 25% payment issued on the 30 January 2015.