577 Deputy Brendan Kenneally asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans, if any, to have Teagasc refund farmers who have been overcharged for participation in the agri-environment options scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29443/10]

The Agri-Environment Options Scheme was structured so that farmers were not required to employ the services of a planner in order to apply for entry to the Scheme, except where a Sustainable Management Plan had to be put in place for Commonage or Natura land. It was therefore open to farmers without Natura or Commonage land to make an application without incurring the cost of employing a planner. In cases where farmers did engage a planner, the terms of the contract for the provision of the planning service, including fees, was a matter for the two parties concerned and my Department has no involvement.