Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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249. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39146/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The persons named submitted an application under the ‘young farmer’ category of the 2015 National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme with the last named person as the young farmer. The Young Farmers Scheme application was successful and payment has since issued. The National Reserve application was not successful as the applicants were deemed to have exceeded the off-farm income limit of €40,000.  A letter issued to the persons named informing them of the decision in relation to this application and offering the opportunity to submit an appeal.

My Department subsequently received an appeal from the persons named in relation to their National Reserve application. This appeal was considered by my Department based on the information set out by the applicants and the original decision regarding the status of the on farm and off farm income was upheld. A letter issued to the persons named on 4 July 2016 informing them of the decision in relation to their appeal and offering them the opportunity to submit a further appeal to the Basic Payment Scheme Appeals Committee. The persons named have submitted a further appeal. The Agricultural Appeals Office is currently dealing with this appeal and the persons named will be notified in writing of the outcome of their appeal once completed.