Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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399. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a BPS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40905/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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An application under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and Basic Payment Schemes was received from the person named on 2 April 2018.

Under 2018 Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme, all eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Stocking density can be satisfied by cattle, sheep, goats, deer and equines.

While the holding of the person named has been confirmed as having satisfied the seven month retention period, it has not as yet satisfied the annual average requirement. Cases such as this are reviewed regularly and, should the holding meet these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing at the earliest possible date thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.

Advance payments under the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) are due to commence on 16 October 2018 with a 70% advance payment issuing to cleared cases. The balancing payments under BPS will commence in December 2018.