Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Not unless the Deputy's party gets into power.

With a view to maintaining the quality and delivery of the overall REPS service and to ensure that REPS planners conform to the highest standards of REPS planning, Teagasc proposes to offer a once-off opportunity to the contract planners to apply to Teagasc to become registered contractors and to provide a REPS planning service on terms and conditions set by Teagasc. I understand discussions on the proposal are ongoing. However, the proposed arrangements will be required to operate on a fully self-financing basis for Teagasc, as mentioned already. Teagasc informs me that the new delivery model for REPS will increase efficiency while retaining quality and ensuring a top class service for farmers. Therefore, there is a definite continuation of work for those planners. Long may it continue.

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