Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

178. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details provided) in County Cork has received full payment under the single payment, disadvantaged area payment and grassland sheep schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7590/16]

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

An application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)/Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 26 May 2015. There was no separate Grassland Sheep Scheme in 2015 as payments under this scheme have been integrated into the value of entitlements under the BPS. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The 2015 application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection was completed and the outcome resulted in no area-based reductions. Payment due under the Basis Payment Scheme issued on 21 December 2015 to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Under EU Regulation 21/2004, all flock owners/sheep keepers are obliged to count the sheep in their flock and on their holding. They are also legally obliged to return this number to my Department via the annual Sheep/Goat Census return. The 2014 census return, which is required for eligibility to schemes such as ANC in the 2015 scheme year, was due by the closing date of 30 January 2015. My Department’s records confirm that no 2014 Sheep Census has been received from the person named. Therefore, no payment is due under the ANC scheme.

The person named has been notified of this outcome in writing and advised of their right to seek a review of the decision within ninety days by the Agriculture Appeals Office.