Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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289. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange for a visual inspection of the land concerned in advance of an oral hearing under the agri-environment options scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal on 26 November 2015, in order to assess the current condition of the rich grassland species area; if the rich species grassland land parcel concerned will be eligible for payments in the remaining years of this scheme if the appeal in question is unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40507/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The AEOS 2 contract commenced on 1 September 2011, and payment issued for the 2011, 2012, 2013 scheme years. Following an inspection on 20 November 2014 issues arose in relation to the Species Rich Grassland and Planting New Hedgerow options. The person named was informed by letter dated 19 January 2015 of these issues and of the subsequent reduction in payment and penalties. Payment for the 2014 scheme year, minus penalties incurred, issued in two parts on 15 May 2015 and 25 May 2015. An appeal in relation to the Species Rich Grassland option was made to the Regional Inspector, who reviewed the file, upheld the original decision and gave a right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The person named has availed of this right and the appeal is listed for oral hearing on 26 November 2015.

The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent office established to provide an appeals service to farmers who are unhappy with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding their entitlements under certain schemes.

The land in question was subject to a site visit during the course of the inspection by the Department before the final decision was made by the Department. The outcome of the appeal is now awaited.