Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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89. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made by the land parcel identification system appeals committee regarding a basic payment scheme forage area inspection for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39753/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As you may be aware my Department is currently examining land parcels declared under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review ineligible areas were identified and removed from a number of parcels declared by the person named. The person named claimed 33.99 ha on their 2013 Single Payment application, and the removal of the ineligible areas, resulted in a reduction of 4.96 hectares, which was notified to the person named. The reduction of 4.96 hectares was due to ineligible features including areas of scrub, buildings, trees, a farm yard, a quarry and farm roads, which had been included in the applicant’s claimed area. An over-payment of €3,149.97 was established under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme application submitted by the person named.

Following an appeal from the person named my Department carried a review of the case. A field visit by a Department official was deemed necessary to verify the position. The applicant was informed of the outcome of this review, which was to uphold the original decision, in a letter dated 14 May 2015. The person named was informed of his right to submit an appeal to the LPIS Appeals Committee.

The person named subsequently appealed this decision to the independently chaired LPIS Committee by letters dated 27 May 201 5 and 29 July 2015. This Committee have considered the matter and I expect that a decision will shortly issue to the person named. If dissatisfied, the person named can appeal this decision to the Office of the Ombudsman.