Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she proposes to make changes to the REP scheme; and the changes which have taken place in the past 12 months to the scheme, particularly in relation to persons with mountain land. [24252/04]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Substantial changes have been made in REPS with the introduction of REPS 3 from 1 June 2004. The main changes include an average increase of 28% in payment rates, fully delivering on the Government's commitment in Sustaining Progress, the new requirement to incorporate two additional biodiversity measures into REPS undertakings and reductions in the level of penalties.

Mountain land as such is not the subject of specific provisions in REPS, but commonages, target areas and areas designated under the wild birds and habitats directive are covered by measure A. Under REPS 3, payment is made on all land covered by measure A, whereas previously areas above 120 hectares qualified for no payment.