Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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253. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of an on-site visit under the 2013 single payment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14072/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. The person named was advised of this position, in writing, on 17 October 2013 and their right to appeal this decision. The person named lodged an appeal on 21 January 2014. 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 is necessary. The findings of the verification visit are currently being processed. The person named will be advised, in writing, of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible.

Should the person named be dissatisfied with the decision based on the verification visit they may appeal this decision to the independent LPIS Appeals Committee within 4 weeks of the date of notification.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence regarding entitlements in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14079/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named established 12.26 entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme valued at €7.96 giving a total value of €97.59.

The EU Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme and the incoming Basic Payment Scheme prohibit the issuing of payment to any person whose total direct payment in a given year is less than €100. The person named therefore was not eligible to receive a direct payment in any year under the Single Payment Scheme including 2013. Consequently he does not hold an automatic right to establish new entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. In addition, as he did hold entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme, he is not eligible for an allocation of entitlements under the Scottish Derogation.

I have been aware for some time that there is a small group of farmers in this situation and have raised the issue with the EU Commission where I requested flexibility in applying the Scottish Derogation so as to include farmers such as the person named. To date the EU Commission has given no flexibility in this regard, however, my Department is continuing to communicate with the Commission to find a resolution to this issue.