421. Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of disadvantaged area scheme grant for 2014 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41369/14]

An application under the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2014. Following the processing of this application issues relating to the verification of compliance with the minimum stocking density were identified.

Under the Terms and Conditions of the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, all those applicants availing of Sheep in order to meet the minimum stocking density requirements must have submitted their annual sheep census to my Department prior to the closing date of 14 February 2014.

The sheep census from the person named was received by my Department on 4 March 2014. Unfortunately, as this was outside the allowable closing date, the Scheme criteria have not been met and therefore no payment is due under the 2014 Scheme.