Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment, under the agri-environment options scheme, will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10143/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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.

The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection, during which non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Riparian Margins action, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named was notified of this on 15 October 2014. Officials are currently processing the application on the basis of the inspection findings and payment in respect of the 2014 Scheme year, less penalty, will issue at the earliest opportunity.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive a payment, under the agri-environment options scheme; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10156/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named is an applicant under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2010. A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation is now underway into this matter and the application of the person named is included in this investigation. Further payments to AEOS participants included in this review are being withheld for the time being. My Department wrote to each of the applicants concerned on 28 January to explain the situation. Decisions on any future payment cannot be taken until the findings of the investigation are to hand.