Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 January 2012
676 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40818/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 8 April 2011, payment in respect of which issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 12 December 2011.
677 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in entering ground inspection results on his Department’s database in view of the fact that in some cases it is taking up to three months to do this with the result that these farmers will not receive their 2011 payments until next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40821/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU regulations governing the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and the Single Payments Scheme, all Ground Eligibility Inspections must be completed before any payment can issue to any applicant under either scheme, including those not selected for a Ground Eligibility Inspection.
In the vast majority of inspected cases amendments have had to be made to the maps in order that the Land Parcel Identification System that is used for making payments to farmers is kept up-to-date. The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS), which records details of all land declared under all the area-based schemes, must be fully accurate and up to date, given the fact that it underpins total expenditure under these schemes of in excess of €1.8 billion annually. Consequently the system must be updated to take account of changes to areas submitted by farmers. Any failings or shortcomings in the LPIS would constitute a breach of the Integrated Administrative and Control System provided for under European Union legislation and would leave my Department open to the very real risk of significant EU fines. Such a risk which cannot be countenanced as it could compromise the value of direct payments to farmers.
This updating work is ongoing and every effort is being made to complete the processing of those who were the subject of a Ground Eligibility Inspection. The vast majority of ground inspection cases have now been paid.
678 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the REP scheme 4 payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [40836/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and received payments for the first two years of the contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and accordingly is subject to EU Regulation which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed and a cheque for 75% of the payment due, totalling €6,438.75, issued to the person named on 30 December 2011. The 25% balancing payment for €2,146.25 issued on 6 January 2012.
679 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40848/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011. Following processing of this application, over-claims were identified in respect of two land parcels as declared by the person named. The person named was written to in this regard on 21 December and again on 6 January 2012. On receipt of a reply to these over-claims the case will be furthered and processed with a view to payment at the earliest date.
