Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Simon Coveney.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
ers’ installation aid scheme, provision has been made for outstanding commitments under these
schemes and the proposed draw down rate will not impact on these existing commitments.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme
583. Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
the average and maximum times being taken to process REP scheme payments for those cases
inspected in 2011 by offices in Limerick, Clonmel, Tralee and Mallow; and if he will make a
statement on the matter. [8320/12]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): REPS 4 is a
measure under the current Rural Development Programme, 2007-2013, and is subject to EU
Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed
before the 75% payment can issue. The remaining 25% may only be paid when all the required
on-the-spot inspections have been completed. REPS 4 applications take the form of an agrienvironment
plan which is prepared by a planner in consultation with the participant and
which addresses many issues including nutrient management, grassland management and the
environmental impact of the farming system. In order to minimise the possibility of EU disallowances,
the administrative checking process and the on-the-spot inspections examine every
aspect of the plans in detail.
In addition to the comprehensive administrative checking procedure which is carried out on
all applications, each case selected for on-the-spot inspection is different. There is no maximum
time prescribed for carrying out the administrative check or the on-the-spot inspection. The
time taken will vary depending on a number of factors, including, location, the nature and
complexity of the agri-environment plan, scale and weather conditions. In many cases,
additional information and clarifications are required from the farmer after the farm visit. My
Department makes every effort to ensure inspections are completed in a timely fashion to
allow payments to issue to applicants at the earliest possible time. In this context, over 22,000
REPS 4 participants received payment in respect of 2011 before 31st December 2011, with the
vast majority paid their 100%. All other cases are being paid as quickly as possible as issues
arising are being resolved.
Grant Payments
584. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to
Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 6 December 2011, the position regarding an application in
respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [8406/12]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): This person named
was the subject of a Satellite inspection in 2010 which resulted in a penalty of between 3 and
20 percent arising from a determined over-declaration of eligible land. As a result the person
named submitted an application in 2011 which reflected the determined area in 2010. In
response to Parliamentary Question 32674/11 on 3rd November, I confirmed that the person
named was entitled to lodge an appeal in relation to the results of the 2010 Satellite Inspection.
An appeal dated 28 October 2011 was received. This appeal led to the need to carry out an
inspection, which took place in mid December 2011. That ground review identified some areas
that required amendment to my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System database. The
required changes are being carried out and will be completed shortly. When completed, the
person named will then be promptly informed of the outcome.
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