Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Forestry Premium in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway was decreased this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14992/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Between 2010 and 2014 payments on this contract were made on 9.57 hectares. As part of the Second Instalment grant process, which was completed on this contract in 2014, a full check of the file was carried out by the Department. The boundaries of the plantation were checked against the visible ground features, resulting in small adjustments and a reduction in area to 9.45 hectares.

The second grant payment letter dated November 2014 and the 2015 premium claim form (Form 4), which were both sent to the applicant, subsequently specified the area as 9.45 hectares. As the reduction in area was within the tolerance allowed, no debt was raised. All future payments will be made on 9.45 hectares.