Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers in County Galway who are participants in the REP scheme three and REP scheme two over the past four years; the number who have opted out of the scheme; the number of farmers who have had penalties incurred under each of the schemes during these years; the value of such penalties; the reason for the delay in REP scheme four; if the 17% increase announced in Budget 2007 has been approved; when the scheme will be put into operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32500/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of farmers in Galway participating in REPS 2 and REPS 3 at the end of the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 is set out in following table.

(The apparent increase in REPS 3 numbers in 2007, even though the Scheme closed to new entrants at the end of December 2006, is because there were applicants approved before the end of December 2006 whose first payments did not issue until the New Year.)

The number of farmers in Galway who have had penalties imposed in 2004, 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 is set out in the following table.

There is no provision for opting out of a REPS contract. Other than in specified circumstances of force majeure or cases where the land is transferred and continues to be farmed to REPS standards, a participant who fails to complete his or her five-year undertaking must refund all the payments they have received.

There is no delay in REPS 4. Applications have been accepted in my Department's local offices since 1 September 2007. REPS 4 payment rates reflect the 17 % increase provided for in Towards 2016.