John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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417. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the overpayments made to a person (details supplied) under the AEOS 2 scheme 2011 will be examined with a view to minimising the amount of overpayment calculated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43594/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The person named joined AEOS 2 on 16 May 2011 with actions of Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Stonewall Maintenance.

Following an inspection, which was carried out on 15 September 2015, the total eligible area found for Species Rich Grassland was 5.35 ha. The area claimed by the Scheme participant was 6.69 ha. The overclaim of 1.34 ha amounted to 25% of the eligible area found of 5.35 ha. Therefore, this resulted in a 100% penalty being applied and no payments for the Species Rich Grassland.

The Inspector issued a letter to the applicant on 11 January 2016 outlining the findings and the decision that penalties and a clawback of undue payments would be applied. The letter also offered the right of appeal to the Regional Inspector by 29 January 2016, if the Scheme participant so wished.

There is no evidence to indicate that an appeal was submitted to the Regional Inspector. This case has now been finalised with all outstanding overpayments and penalties having been recouped.