Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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316. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will issue payment under the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24621/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No. 18277 /2015, the person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 September 2010 and received payments in respect of the scheme years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

However, the cross check with the 2014 Single Payment system revealed that two of the AEOS parcels on this person’s contract had been declared on the Single Payment Scheme application of another herd owner. Under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, all undertakings under AEOS must be continued for a minimum period of five years. As this did not happen for the parcels in question they are no longer eligible for payment under the scheme and payments made on these parcels must be recouped. The person named was informed in writing of this decision.

In my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 23189/ 2015, I outlined that the Agriculture Appeals Office have advised that the person-named lodged an appeal with that Office on 23 February 2015.

I understand that the Appeals Office issued a letter to the person-named on 12 June refusing the appeal. The person named was also advised that they could refer the matter to the Office of the Ombudsman if they wished.

Under the circumstances, my Department will be abiding by the decision of the Agriculture Appeals Office that the original decision in this case should remain in place.