Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for introducing a 17% cut to the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20812/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The withdrawal of the 17% increase in REPS 4 rates of payments was a necessary response to the pressures on the public finances and the anticipated level of up-take of REPS 4.

Now that the closing date for applications for REPS 4 has passed a full review of the Scheme will be undertaken, in the context of the overall participation rate, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".