Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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1100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payment to farmers in County Kerry, whose payments were reduced due to gorse fires for which they were not responsible, will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15898/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department wrote to  a number of farmers in Kerry about the detected illegal burning of land on the applications submitted by them under the 2017 Basic Payment scheme. The farmers concerned were advised of the implications for them of declaring the lands concerned and of their right to seek a review from my Department.

Some of these farmers submitted requests for reviews and included supporting documentation for consideration by my Department. The review process has been concluded in respect of some of the farmers in Kerry and supplementary payments have issued where appropriate.

I must point out that my Department has decided to waive the administrative penalty where it was applied in these cases. However payment will not issue in respect of the areas of land determined to have been burned illegally.

In each case a letter has issued directly to the farmers concerned setting out the position. This letter also outlined the option available of appealing the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.