Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The schemes are being dealt with separately in order that there will be no confusion on the part of applicants.

The Minister, having visited the area, is fully aware of the stress this is causing. I appreciate it has taken some time, but the RPS Group report we mentioned, which was very comprehensive at more than 60 pages, was completed just over 12 months ago and published in February of last year. I accept that the discussions in the meantime have been extensive. I do not think the Department has an exact date at this point for when the engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will conclude.

There is an issue both with compensation and with payments under the existing scheme. Both issues will have to be addressed separately in order that there will be no confusion or overlap. Tomorrow morning, I will personally ask officials in the Department to contact both Deputies on the points they raised to clarify the statement.

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