Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in having a basic farm payment issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [33429/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2016 which included afforested lands.

In line with EU Regulations, land which was afforested since 2009 will be eligible to draw down a BPS payment provided that certain requirements are met, one of which is that applicants must retain at least 10% of the eligible hectares declared in 2008 in an agricultural activity subject to a minimum of 3 hectares. The person named did not retain sufficient land and is ineligible for payment on the afforested land declared. An official from my Department has contacted the person named to clarify the position.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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435. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who has received no farm payments for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33455/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The person named submitted a 2016 Basic Payment Scheme / Areas of Natural Constraint scheme application on 5 May 2016. 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 application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection is currently being processed with the intention of issuing any payments due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise, officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.