Written answers

Tuesday, 12 May 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Photo of Michael ColreavyMichael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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364. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive payments. [18543/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 2) with effect from 1 September 2011. 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 Water Trough and Species Rich Grassland actions, which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The person named was notified of this on 30 January 2015.

Officials are currently processing the application on the basis of the inspection findings and payment in respect of the 2014 scheme year, less the penalty, will issue shortly.

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an agri-environment options scheme 1 payment in respect of a person (details supplied), who has complied with all regulations of the scheme, remains outstanding; and if the payment will be investigated and expedited. [18570/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A Department review of the non-productive capital investment claims submitted by applicants under AEOS, was undertaken in 2014. This review identified irregularities with documentation submitted for reimbursement in some of these claims. A full Department investigation was then initiated, which in turn led to the matter being referred to the Gardaí. Payments to applicants under review have been deferred pending the outcome of the investigation. The application of the person named is one of those being reviewed in the context of this wider investigation. My Department wrote to the person named on 28 January 2015 to explain the situation.

My Department plans to write to all participants with payments held shortly seeking further evidence to support their claim for payment, in the amounts declared. Where satisfactory proofs are provided payments will then be processed.

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