Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to fully implement the rural development programme in order that farmers benefit fully from the increased payments and new schemes. [18140/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following an extensive consultation process, the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme (RDP) was formally approved by the Commission in September 2007. The overall package provides funding of almost €6 billion over a seven-year period for farming measures and includes schemes for early retirement, farm investment, agri-environmental supports, installation aid and the disadvantaged areas. An amount of €2.3bn. of the overall RDP package will be funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The Programme includes a 17% increase for REPS, an 8% increase in disadvantaged areas payments and improved levels of support for the early retirement and installation aid schemes. The various RDP Schemes commenced during 2007 and by the end of the year the total DAFF related RDP expenditure was €615 million.