Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 566: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Teagasc REPS scheme service will become largely inoperable if the proposal to terminate contract planners goes ahead; the proposals he will put into place in order that there will be no interruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22320/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Subject to remaining within the level of resources available to Teagasc the delivery of a REPS service is an operational matter for Teagasc itself. The REPS planners are employed on temporary fixed term contracts by Teagasc. The recently announced moratorium on Public Service recruitment prevents Teagasc from renewing such contracts. I understand that Teagasc propose to tender for registered contractors for a REPS planning service and that current contract planners will be well placed to avail of this opportunity.