A Wicklow farmer has been partially compensated by the Department of Agriculture seven years after he alleged irregularities in the transfer of entitlements from his farm to a Department inspector. However, he has said the compensation is not enough.

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In April, Delamere showed the Irish Farmers Journal documents transferring his entitlements with a signature that did not match his in 2010, and again in 2011.

The farmer then complained to the gardaí and the Department to no avail, despite high-level IFA intervention. Other farmers have complained of bullying by the same inspector.

In August, Delamere received a letter from the Department telling him that one transaction “has now been reverted as both parties did not agree to the transfer in 2011”.

In recent weeks, he has received two payments of €372.96 each, related to Single Farm Payments for 2011 and 2012. He could not obtain clarification on what they covered, but he understands more are being processed. “I don’t think it’s good enough,” he said, calling for a full refund and compensation for the time and expenses spent on the issue.

“I’d like a proper explanation and a full public, independent investigation of their handling of complaints,” he added.

Sources inside and outside the Department said the official is still inspecting farms, always accompanied by a supervisor, which Delamere said “is wrong on so many levels”.

The Department official “broke their rules and there doesn’t seem to be any sanction”, he added.

An IFA spokesperson said that the association has expressed strong reservations to the Department about how this matter was dealt with. “It is up to the Department to resolve this issue, and IFA expects them to do so,” the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson said “the Department will not be commenting publicly on individual cases”, and all complaints from farmers would be investigated.

Despite his frustrating battle, Delamere encouraged others to denounce any irregularities. “Farmers should change this mentality that they shouldn’t complain,” he said, adding that two GLAS inspections since he made his case public took place as normal.