Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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990. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to permit hardcopy applications as well as online applications under the single payment scheme; if the move to a full online system is unfair on older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9462/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department introduced the on-line application facility under the Single Payment Scheme in 2007. Farmers have the option of lodging their application themselves or through an authorised agent. Online application involves a range of advantages for farmers, which help to ensure the continued efficient and effective delivery of these vital payments. An additional advantage for on-line applicants this year will be the implementation of preliminary checks. Under this provision on-line applicants will be informed, within a specified time frame, of a number of common land errors (over-claims, dual claims and overlaps) and be given the opportunity to avoid area penalties as would have been applied in previous years. Since the introduction of on-line applications in 2007 my Department has worked closely with both farmers and authorised agents to make the on-line system more user friendly. New features have been introduced including the on-line updating of maps.

The position with regard to the receipt of BPS applications is subject to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014 which sets out specific requirements with regard to geo-spatial (online) aid applications for the Basic Payment Scheme. The regulation sets out that Member States shall provide for geo-spatial (online) applications, and that 75% of beneficiaries in 2017 and all beneficiaries in 2018 must apply online. My Department has already reached the 2017 target in 2016.

In order to ensure that these regulatory requirements are met, my Department has been moving certain categories of farmers to online application in 2015 and 2016. This process will continue as we move towards the 2018 regulatory target.

My Department recognises the challenges faced by certain applicants, including those who are not familiar with the use of the technology that is required, in using the on-line system to lodge BPS applications. Accordingly, my Department has put in place a comprehensive system of support for online applicants via a dedicated helpdesk and one to one assistance for applicants lodging on-line applications at a number of regional locations in the spring of this year and at its offices in Portlaoise over recent weeks.

My Department is committed to providing more targeted supports to applicants as the process continues to ensure access to the Basic Payment Scheme is not impeded.