Written answers

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a payment following an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11668/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2013 and payment issued on 20 September 2013 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. No payment was due under the Single Farm Payment Scheme as the person named does not hold any payment entitlements under that Scheme.

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that a number of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features and the person named was notified accordingly. Following the review of my Department's decision, sought by the person named, a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground was necessary. This verification check established that the level of over-declaration under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was greater than 20%. Under the governing EU Regulations, where an over-declaration greater than 20% is established, no payment was due to the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme. As a result of this determination, the amount already paid to the person named under the 2013 Scheme must be recouped from future payments made by my Department.

A letter detailing the outcome of the verification check was issued to the person named on the 19 July 2014. This letter advised that in the event that the person named was dissatisfied with the outcome of the verification check the decision could be appealed to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee, within 3 months of the notification letter.

By letter dated 17 September 2014, the person named opted to avail of his right to appeal to the independently-chaired LPIS Appeal Committee and the LPIS Appeals Committee have partially allowed his appeal allowing a small area eligible as forage area for 2013. However, when this revision is taken into account the level of over-declaration is still greater than 20%, which means that no payment is still due to the person named. The person named was notified of the outcome on 24 February 2015. The person named can appeal this decision to the Office of the Ombudsman if he so wishes.

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