Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 320: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the budget allocated to the REP scheme programme; and the total amount of funding paid out to date in both REP scheme two and three; and the number of participants in each scheme on a county basis. [5493/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A record level of funding — €2.968 billion — has been provided for REPS under Ireland`s Rural Development Programme over the seven years 2007-2013. The Government's commitment to the Scheme is clearly evident in the provision of €1.599 billion in national funding. I am confident that funds will be available to meet all commitments arising under the Scheme this year in line with the existing practice of paying REPS farmers at the start of each contract year. Some €6 million had been paid to participants in REPS 2 and REPS 3 this year, up to the point in early January when the Commission raised questions about the established practice of paying REPS farmers at the beginning of each contract year. Until this matter is clarified, my Department is not in a position to release any further payments under REPS 2 and REPS 3. The following table shows the number of active participants in each scheme, on a county basis.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is money in place to meet REP scheme two and three claims that are awaiting payment in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5494/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am confident that the available funding will be sufficient to meet all commitments arising under the Scheme in line with the practice of paying REPS farmers at the start of each contract year.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to lift the suspension of REP scheme payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5495/08]

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.