Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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561. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the extent of the delays under the fodder transport support scheme; and the reason a farmer (details supplied) has been waiting over three months for their payment. [36719/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Fodder Transport Support Measure was introduced on 9th April to provide targeted support to farmers, who had to purchase fodder over longer distances.

This support measure was an emergency response to the adverse and prolonged wet weather conditions and the negative impact this was having on fodder stocks on holdings throughout the country.

The measure was operated in conjunction with the Co-operative movement and as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the measure, a bulk payment will issue to each participating Co-operative in respect of associated and verified individual claims.

A total of 682 applications were received by my department, for which a number of administrative checks are required to be completed before any bulk payments to participating Co-operatives can be considered. Immediately on completion of all checks, bulk payments will commence issuing to Co-operatives and individual claimants will be notified.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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562. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information on the case of a person (details supplied); the reasons this application was with the Department for approximately 13 months; the reasons he had to make several phone calls to enquire about the status of his application; the reasons he was informed verbally that his application was approved pending the issuing of the final approval letter; the reasons this application was then refused and subsequently refused again on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36781/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The person named submitted an application for grant aid under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme (AWNSS) - which is a measure under TAMS 3 - on 12th April 2023, as part of the tranche which closed for applications on 30th June 2023.

This application underwent an initial administrative check following the closure of the tranche and completed the regulatory ranking and selection process on 3rd January 2024.

A further detailed technical check must be completed on all files before written approval can be issued. During this technical check issues arose relating to documentation submitted.

My Department was in contact with the applicant regarding these issues, and it was discovered that the investments had been completed prior to approval being issued.

The application was then rejected as commencement of work on fixed investments prior to the issue of an approval to carry out such work invalidates the application, as per the terms and conditions of the scheme.

The person named was informed of this decision by letter dated 25th June 2024. They requested a review of the decision, and were informed that the review upheld the original decision in a letter dated 10th July 2024. This letter outlined their right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) within three months of the date of that letter. At this time, an appeal has not yet been received by the AAO.