Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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522. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the AEOS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15955/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The person named commenced their AEOS 1 contract on 1 September 2010 and was paid in full for the 2010 – 2014 Scheme years. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.  The application of the person named was also selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on the 21 August 2015.  During this inspection non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Species Rich Grassland and the Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance actions which resulted in a penalty being incurred. The stone walls in this case were found to be covered with scrub, bushes and briars. As such, they were not visible and were not accessible for assessment and maintenance.

The person named appealed the penalty for the Traditional Stone Wall Maintenance action to the Regional Inspector who upheld the original decision. The person named was informed of his appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. An appeal was lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office on 5 May 2016 and I understand that an oral hearing of the case is scheduled for 16 June.

The application was processed on the basis of the inspection findings and payments in respect of the 2015 Scheme year, less penalty, were issued on 6 May and the 16 May.  Adjustments will be made to these payments in due course if the Appeals Office changes the decision of the Department.