This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
04/12/2001
The Executive will adopt a flexible approach to
recovering overpayments made during 2001 under the Less
Favoured Area Support Scheme.
Following a detailed investigation of the 313 cases of
overpayment identified under the scheme, 41 cases will not
be pursued - because they involve very small amounts.
Of the remaining 272 cases, 69 involve overpayments
where the areas have now been checked by SEERAD officials
and the checks confirm the need to adjust declarations on
Area Aid Application forms. The Department will be
proceeding to recover these overpayments - but adopting a
flexible approach, permitting these to be offset from
future CAP payments.
177 cases reflect figures for the distribution between
rough grazings and improved pasture in relation to common
and shared grazings which have not been fully checked on
the ground.
For the time being, SEERAD will not be pursuing these
cases for recovery but, inspections will be carried out and
recovery action will follow if the areas established at
inspection differ from those on which the original payment
was based. If recovery is required, SEERAD will adopt a
flexible approach, permitting these to be offset from
future CAP payments.
The remaining 26 cases arise from a range of different
reasons, based on verified data. SEERAD will be proceeding
with these recoveries again showing flexibility in
repayment arrangements.
Some 255 letters have already been issued to producers
requesting repayment of the LFASS overpayments. Producers
should disregard these letters. New letters will issue
shortly reflecting the category of case into which the
recoveries fall.