Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers that have applied for the REP scheme mixed grazing supplementary measure for sheep farmers announced on 16 May 2007 claiming to be worth €28 million per annum; the amount of money paid out under this measure to date; the proposals he has to release the hold up on payment of this money to sheep farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17402/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The mixed grazing supplementary measure is available to farmers joining REPS 4. Out of 3,787 applications for REPS 4 received up to today, 241 applicants have indicated that they wish to participate in the mixed grazing measure. Eleven of these applications have been approved and paid to date. In total my Department has issued some €9,000 to the farmers.

I am currently considering certain proposals from the farming organizations on aspects of the mixed grazing supplementary measure. Ultimately, however, REPS is a voluntary, demand-led scheme and it is open to farmers to opt for the measure, for which sufficient funding is available.