Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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274. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payments under the agri-environment options scheme; the reason for the delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14424/15]

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.

A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under the AEOS was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation has confirmed the review's findings and has identified further cases. My Department wrote to each of the applicants who have had their payment deferred on 28 January to explain the situation.

The matter has now been referred to An Garda Síochána for their consideration and decisions on individual cases cannot be made until the investigation is progressed further.