Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

434. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will indicate the payments applied for by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, including details of application date, payment date, application amount, amount recovered and amount paid under the agri-environment options scheme, area based compensation and grassland sheep scheme for 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015; the payments due to this person; and the reason for any amounts recovered. [20666/15]

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

An application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2013. A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed that four land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. 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 was deemed necessary. The person named was notified of the findings of this verification visit in writing and their application has been updated accordingly. Outstanding payments in respect of 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Grassland Sheep Scheme have issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and Grassland Sheep Scheme was received from the person named on 10 April 2014. Processing of this application has recently been completed with any outstanding payments due to issue directly to the nominated bank account of the applicant shortly.

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.

During the 2013 cross check, it was established that the area determined for Crop Group B was less than the area claimed. The claimed area was 6.06 ha and the area determined was 5.67 ha. As this is a difference of 6.9%, a proportionate reduction plus twice the difference penalty must be applied. The calculation is as follows:

Reduction (6.06 – 5.67) = 0.39 x rate (€314) = €122.46

Penalty 0.78(2 x 0.39) x rate (€314) = €244.92

Total deduction:€367.38

The first instalment of the 2013 payment, amounting to €1,465.95 issued on 20 December 2013 and the balance, amounting to €488.64 less penalties of €367.38, issued on 14 January 2014.

During the 2014 cross check, it was established that the area claimed for Crop Group B was less than the area claimed. The claimed area was 5.66 ha and the area determined was 5.37 ha. As this is a difference of 5.4%, there is a reduction and a twice the difference penalty to be applied (Art. 16 of 1975/2006). The calculation is as follows:

Reduction (5.66 - 5.37) = 0.29 x rate (€314) = 91.06

Penalty 0.58 (2 x 0.29) x rate (€314) = 182.12

Total deduction: 273.18

The first instalment of the 2014 payment, amounting to €1,371.18 less penalties of €273.18 issued on 12 December 2014 and the balance, amounting to €457.06, issued on 6 February 2015.

No AEOS payments have been issued in respect of the 2015 scheme year to date.