Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their REP scheme three payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5126/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The person named is a participant in REPS 3. In the course of the ongoing discussions on the payment arrangements for REPS 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. At that stage, some €6 million had already been paid to REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers since 1 January 2008.

My officials have argued strongly with the Commission that the practice of paying at the start of the contract year is well established and one of which the Commission is well aware. My Department's position was outlined in considerable detail at a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January. When Commissioner Fischer Boel was in Dublin two weeks ago to attend the Annual General Meeting of the IFA, I took the opportunity to make the same points directly to her and I emphasised the seriousness with which I regarded the situation. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission. However, until the matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are beginning to issue this week.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding an application for a slatted house grant by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5127/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Grant-aid was paid to the person concerned on 11 February 2008.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason farmers who are contractual participants in REP scheme two, three and four are not being paid their due amounts on the anniversary date of them signing up to participate in the REP scheme for a five year period; the further reason these payments are being delayed particularly in this year; the way this lateness of payment and unnecessary delays associated therewith, accords with the prompt payment legislation passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas; if interest will be payable to farmers who do not receive their payments by the due date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5161/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the course of the ongoing discussions on the payment arrangements for REPS 4, the European Commission raised questions early in January 2008 about the established practice of paying REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers at the beginning of each contract year. At that stage, some €6 million had already been paid to REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers since 1 January 2008.

My officials have argued strongly with the Commission that the practice of paying at the start of the contract year is well established and one of which the Commission is well aware. My Department's position was outlined in considerable detail at a meeting with the Commission in Brussels on 25 January. When Commissioner Fischer Boel was in Dublin two weeks ago to attend the Annual General Meeting of the IFA, I took the opportunity to make the same points directly to her and I emphasised the seriousness with which I regarded the situation. I am continuing, along with my officials, to press for a quick resolution to the issue and high-level contacts are ongoing with the Commission. However, until the matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. Payments to REPS 4 farmers under contracts which commenced in 2007 are beginning to issue this week.

I understand that the legislation on prompt payments is not applicable to this situation. Any additional payment to farmers in the context of REPS would require the separate approval of the European Commission as a State Aid.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason travelling and overtime budget restrictions are being allowed to prevent the issue of approval and processing of payment under the farm waste management scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5190/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Sufficient financial resources have been made available in my Department's estimates for 2008 to enable my Department's staff continue to process approvals and payments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme over the course of the current year.