Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of applicants approved for benefit under the REP scheme four; if his Department has a ceiling on the number of applicants that will be approved under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42003/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The number of REPS 4 applications currently recorded on my Department's computer system is approximately 12,700 and my officials are currently carrying out the administrative checks which are required before these can be approved for payment.

There are still over 48,300 farmers in REPS 3, and some 2,000 in the last months of their REPS 2 contracts. I expect that the majority of those now in REPS 2 and REPS 3 will apply for REPS 4 in due course. The Programme for Government envisages a participation level of 70,000 in REPS.