Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding payments will issue under the 2014 single payment, the disadvantaged areas scheme and the rural environment protection scheme, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if there are any appeals lodged in this person's name, with either his Department or the Agriculture Appeals Office, awaiting a decision; the current status of these appeals; when it is likely a decision will be made on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18904/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 10 April 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes requirethat full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases ground eligibility inspections, to be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection.This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area determined resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 50%. Based on the terms and conditions of these schemes this resulted in no payment in respect of the 2014 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and the application of an administrative fine to be offset against any future EU payments. The person named was notified of this decision on 10 November 2014.

The person named sought a review of this decision, the outcome of which was to uphold the original inspection decision. The person named was notified of this decision by letter dated 17 February 2015. The person named was also notified of their right to appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.

The Agriculture Appeals Office has advised that the person named has lodged an appeal with that office in relation to an over-declaration of land on the 2014 Single Payment/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. The appeal has been assigned to an Appeals Officer. Following consideration of all of the facts of the case, a comprehensive decision letter will issue to the appellant.

The processing of the application for the 2014 REPS payment, based on the area farmed as determined by SPS, will be completed shortly and my Department’s REPS Section will be in direct contact with the person named regarding this issue.