Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the report by an organisation (details supplied) which states that the REP scheme contributes more to the Exchequer than it costs; and if this report will inform his approach to the REP scheme in future. [36234/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the statement by the organisation concerned. However, REPS 4 was closed to new applicants in July against the background of the situation in the public finances, the resources available to my Department and the substantial increase, over the past year, in the number of REPS participants. A record 16,718 applications were received up to the closing date of 15 May for 2009, and further applications which were received up to the time of closure will be processed as applications for 2010. Payments due to REPS farmers for 2009 will be the highest ever and all participants already in REPS will continue to receive annual payments until their current contracts run their course

I plan to introduce a new agri-environment scheme in 2010 which will reduce compliance costs to participants and which will provide a menu of targeted actions from which farmers may choose. In August 2009 I invited submissions on the proposed new scheme and the report referred to was included in a submission received for the named organisation. Funding for the new scheme will include the additional modulation funds which I ensured will be retained for the benefit of Irish farmers in the negotiations on the CAP "Health Check". It will also include additional matching Exchequer funding. The details of the scheme are in the process of being finalised and will require the approval of the European Commission, which has already received an outline of our proposals.