Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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490. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39926/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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All entitlements allocated under BPS and the National Reserve are subject to a two-year usage rule. An eligible hectare of land per entitlement must be declared annually to meet the usage requirement. If a farmer has unused entitlements for two consecutive years, the lowest value entitlements held by that farmer revert to the National Reserve in the second year of non-usage.

The over claims in this case, resulting in lands declared being found not to be eligible, which resulted in the loss of entitlements, were due to the results of an Agri Environment Options Scheme inspection carried out in relation to the 2017 scheme year.

In order for this to be reviewed a further field visit will be required. I have arranged for this to be carried out as soon as possible.