Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when persons (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area scheme payment. [35381/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2007 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received in this case on 2 May 2007. One of the primary provisions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is that applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for at least three consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as potentially not meeting this minimum stocking density requirement, the applicant is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports. Alternatively the applicant may submit details of a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework Plan, which provides for a lower stocking level.

The applicant in this case was written to and invited to submit appropriate evidence of the number of sheep maintained on the farm and a copy of the REPS Plan. My Department received, by way of registered post on 13 November 2007, a flock register relating to the holding. However, the applicant did not submit a REPS plan, which provides for a lower stocking level on the holding. The applicant was subsequently contacted by an official from my Department and requested to submit the relevant documentation. This documentation was received on 13 December and the application of the person named has now been fully processed. Payment will issue shortly.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason the 2005 REP scheme payment was not granted to a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that because of their illness they was unable to attend the 20 hour training course; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that their brother, who worked the farm with them over many years, would have been willing to do the course but was deemed ineligible to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35496/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The REP scheme requires participants to attend a training course before the end of their second year in the Scheme. Failure to attend a training course within the period specified will normally result in third and subsequent year`s payment being withheld until such time as a training course has been completed by the beneficiary.

In view of the documented reason for the participant's inability to attend the training course in this case I am prepared, as an exceptional matter, to release a payment covering the period from the anniversary date up to the time of his death.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An application under the 2004 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2004.

One of the primary provisions of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is that applicants must maintain a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for at least four consecutive months. However, where the holding of an applicant is identified as potentially not meeting this minimum stocking density requirement, the applicant is invited to submit evidence of satisfactory stocking i.e. Flock Register, Horse Passports. Alternatively the applicant may submit details of a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework Plan, which provides for a lower stocking level. My Department received written notification from the applicant that he did not meet the minimum stocking density requirement.

Payment of €1,168.77 issued incorrectly to the person named on 20 September 2004. The applicant was invited to refund the monies overpaid to the Department. The applicant failed to refund the monies overpaid and the debt therefore was subsequently recouped from future payments due to the applicant i.e. (REPS payment dated 28 July 2006). The overpayment amount has now been fully recouped.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the type, nature and level of grants available to farmers and others who wish to establish a modern equestrian centre with all up to date facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35510/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Farm Improvement Scheme, which was introduced by my Department in July 2007, did provide for grant-aid to eligible farmers for the building of stables for horses and related facilities. However, the Scheme is suspended for new applications at present because the level of applications for grants exceeded the funding available for the Scheme.