Written answers
Tuesday, 5 October 2021
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Agriculture Schemes
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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733. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will receive reduced direct payments as a result of increased water levels at Lough Funshinagh; the mean, mode, median and highest reduction; the mean, mode, median and highest percentage reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47571/21]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), amongst other conditions, lands declared under the scheme must be eligible for payment by virtue of being suitable for an agricultural activity and to actually be subject to an agricultural activity during the year of application.
In particular, the lands declared must be subject to an agricultural activity for a period from the beginning of the year until after 31st May or for a period before 31st May to 31st December of the scheme year in question. Areas under water during the time specified would not be eligible for payment. Claiming areas that are deemed ineligible under the terms and conditions of the BPS scheme can result in a penalty, be it a reduction in the area paid or, in cases where the claimed area exceed certain percentages of the overall claim, an administration penalty.
Where such a situation arises, the Department contacts the applicants informing them of the position and advising them of their right of review and appeal. Each appeal is considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Department is currently processing the BPS applications for 2021 so the information requested by the Deputy is not available.
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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734. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will receive reduced direct payments as a result of a fire originating in Killarney National Park; the mean, mode, median and highest reduction; the mean, mode, median and highest percentage reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47572/21]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In order to qualify for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), farmers must have an eligible hectare of land in respect of each entitlement held.
Where land has been burned between the period of 1st March and 31st August of any given year, it is not eligible for payment under the BPS. This is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
Where such land is claimed under a BPS application, it is considered an overclaim and, as such, a penalty/reduction may apply. In each case where a penalty/reduction applies, the applicant has a right of review and appeal.
The applicant is advised of this right of appeal and the relevant steps to take to seek a review. Each case is examined on its merits and any information supplied by the applicant will be taken into consideration during this review.
The Department is currently processing all BPS applications for 2021 including the applications on land that was deemed ineligible due to burning during the closed season of 1st March to 31st August. As this processing is ongoing, the information requested is not yet available.
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