Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Brian Cowen

Question:

352 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the numbers of farmers who had completed their first year of the REP scheme by 31 May 1996; the number of farmers who had received their second payment by 31 May 1996; the number of farmers approved for a second payment but who had not received such payment by 31 May 1996; the number of farmers who had completed their first year by 31 May 1996 and whom his Department is awaiting forms 1D or 1E from their respective planners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13934/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The number of farmers who have completed their first year in REPS on 31 May 1996 is 3,220. Following the implementation of more stringent control measures and the revision to the REPS specifications, arrangements were in train to deal with the backlog in three tranches viz:

—14 May — 1994 applicants — 309

—31 May — applicants due second year payments up to 31 March 1996 — 1,450 and

—28 June — all remaining applicants due second year payments.

Lists of those participants who joined the scheme in 1994 were issued to the Department's local offices on 14 May 1996 in order to facilitate farmer compliance checks. A total of 309 participants were involved of which up to now only 190 have had compliance checks completed due to industrial action in the Department's local offices. As a result, to date only 145 participants have been approved for second year payments, and only two had been paid by 31 May. Talks are taking place between the Department and the union involved in the industrial action. Significant progress has been made in these talks and it is hoped that the dispute will be resolved shortly allowing compliance checks for the 1,450 participants who were due second year payments up to the 31 March 1996. It is intended to commence checks on other participants who are now due second year payments by the end of the month.

Information concerning the number of farmers who have completed their first year but for whom the Department is awaiting forms reps 1D or 1E is not readily available.