Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason her Department is seeking repayment from the estate of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the further reason the spouse of the person was not allowed to continue for the final and fifth year of the REP scheme plan; if she will take steps to have the matter reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23334/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named began his REPS contract on 1 May 2001. He died on 1 July 2003, during the third year of his contract. My Department issued his third-year REPS payment on 31 July 2003.

REPS payments are made annually in advance. Where a participant in REPS dies within the period of the REPS contract, the contract is terminated and my Department does not look for a refund of payments already made. In this case, however, because the person named had died before payment issued for the third year of his contract my Department has no option but to seek a refund. Although the original contract is terminated, the widow of the person named is free to apply for REPS in her own right.