One agricultural consultant, who submitted applications on behalf of farmers, is being looked into for suspected irregularities with documentation submitted under the EU environmental scheme, which is part of the Rural Development Programme.

An investigation into applications was also carried out by the Department of Agriculture, which saw the Department claim back about €1m in penalties and undue payments.

A small number of cases are still to be investigated by the Department.

“In the region of €3m has been paid out to the 300 or so cases involved up to the period of the commencement of the investigation,” a spokesperson for the Department said.

“Undue payments recovered and penalties imposed are approximately €1m.

“The Department understands that the matter is the subject of a garda investigation. The Department will not be making any further comment,” the spokesperson added.

Over €260m has been paid out to date for the AEOS scheme to 20,000 participants since the scheme started in 2010.

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Suspected AEOS abuse subject of garda criminal investigation

Gardaí have launched a criminal investigation into hundreds of case of suspected abuse of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS).