Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers that are still participating in REP schemes; the number of contracts that will expire in 2010 and each year beyond; the financial cost of fulfilling those contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31354/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Farmers in REPS 3 are paid at the start of each year of their contracts. There are still 24,753 farmers in REPS 3. Of these, 10,601 will finish their contracts between now and the end of 2010 and received their last payments during 2009. The other 23,693 will finish their contracts in 2011, and are receiving their last payments this year. At an average annual payment of €6,200 per participant, these payments will amount to some €147 million.

The EU Regulations governing payment in REPS 4 are different. Payment of up to 75% may be made each year once administrative checks on all applications are concluded. The balance may be paid when the last of the on-farm inspections for the year has taken place. There are some 31,300 participants in REPS 4, including those whose applications were received after the annual closing date of 15 May 2009 and up to the time the Scheme was closed to new applicants on 9 July 2009. Based on the average annual payment of €6,200 per participant, this represents an annual cost of €194 million for REPS 4 for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Some 12,500 participants will finish their contracts in 2012 and a further 17,000 will finish in 2013, with the result that the cost of REPS 4 in 2013 will be about €115 million, falling to under €10 million in 2014 when the last payments will be made.