Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has considered extending the deadline for applications to REP scheme three for a month beyond the 13 October 2006 deadline; if so, the outcome of this consideration; if not, her views on doing so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32877/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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REPS 3 is provided for under the current Rural Development Programme that finishes on 31 December 2006 and currently over 3,000 new REPS applications have to be processed by that date. In addition REPS 2 participants with anniversary dates from 1 September to 1 December 2006 inclusive who apply to join REPS 3 under the "fast track" transitional arrangements which I introduced must be processed. Over 4,000 annual applications for REPS payments will also have to be dealt with, as they fall due, before the end of the year. The same staff that are responsible for processing all REPS applications also administer the on farm investment schemes.

I have already extended the original deadline for the receipt of REPS 3 applications to 13 October. To ensure that all applications as outlined above are dealt with and payments made in a timely manner, an extension beyond that date is not possible.