Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of basic payment and areas of natural constraint schemes applications selected for remote sensing eligibility inspection that have yet to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46163/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

EU regulations governing the administration of the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections where applicable, are fully completed to ensure eligibility with the various schemes requirements before any payments issue. There are certain minimum numbers of inspections that must take place annually under the various schemes. Some 6,840 applicants have been selected for a Remote Sensing inspection in respect of the various 2019 area-based schemes.

In many cases, the existence of an inspection will not necessarily be delaying payment. In relation to the ANC Scheme, this scheme is subject to a range of eligibility and compliance criteria such as the requirement to meet a minimum stocking density in addition to maintaining minimum livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. At this stage, a number of farmers are not eligible to receive payment, however they may become eligible for payment later in the year when such criteria have been met. Factors that may impact on payment issuing under BPS would be, for example, applications to transfer entitlements, change in ownership request, etc.

The table below details the position on Remote Sensing inspections, as of 11th November, in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme (ANC).

The inspections to be completed/finalised are at various stages of final processing and once fully completed, will advance to payment stage. In the event that any issues arise as part of the inspection process, officials in my Department will be in contact with the applicant.

My Department continues to finalise the outcome of Remote Sensing inspections on a daily basis to ensure that BPS and ANC Schemes payments due are issued as quickly as possible.