441. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if basic payments will be returned to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37878/15]

Under the Single Payment Scheme, applicants applied annually on the basis of entitlements held and eligible land declared. The person named never held entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme since that Scheme’s inception in 2005. Consequently she is not eligible for an automatic allocation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme which was introduced in place of the Single Payment Scheme this year. As regards the litigation mentioned, it would not be appropriate for my Department to arbitrate private matters between individuals such as outlined by the Deputy. These matters are reserved for the Courts and the Property Registration Authority.