P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of payments of REP scheme four for 2008 that have been paid in full and the amount of payments that remain to be paid to farmers; the expected cost of REP scheme four for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10075/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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REPS 4 is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme 2007–13 and is subject to different EU Regulations from the preceding versions of REPS. The first 75 % payments for 2008 REPS 4 applications issued in the last week of January to those whose applications required no correction following the administrative checks. Further payments continue to be made as applications are cleared.

To date just over €15 million has been paid or is in the process of being paid to 4,590 applicants, representing 75% of their 2008 REPS 4 payment. A further payment of 25% will be paid as soon as possible. While it is impossible to determine the total cost until all applications have been processed, it is expected that the total for REPS 4 payments for 2008 will be of the order of €53 million.