Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive the outcome of an appeal under the 2014 single payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36700/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 1 March 2013 and payments of €3,666.78 and €3,404.57 were issued on 16 October 2013 and 2 December 2013 respectively under the Single Farm Payment Scheme. A payment of €1,562.72 was issued on 20 September 2013 under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.

A review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared contained ineligible features, and a notification was issued to this effect. This resulted in a reduction to the area payable under the 2013 land based schemes. Following this process, the person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal. A review of my Department’s decision was then sought by the applicant, which necessitated a visit by a Department official to verify the position on the ground. This inspection determined that the position on the ground warranted a further reduction in the overall reference area.

On foot of this, an overpayment of €2,932.49 under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme was created on 24 March 2015 and an overpayment of €705.53 under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was created on 15 September 2014. A letter detailing the outcome of the above verification check was issued to the person named on the 10 September 2014, and he was advised of the option to refer the matter to the independent Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Appeals Committee.

The person named opted to avail of his right to appeal his case to the LPIS Appeal Committee. Following due consideration, the LPIS Appeal Committee rejected his appeal and he was notified of the decision by letter dated 12 January 2015. The person named can appeal this decision to the Office of the Ombudsman if he so wishes.