Vol. 478 No. 4
231 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the percentage of REP scheme applicants which have had penalties imposed; the level of such penalties; his views on whether the appeals system is working efficiently and effectively; if this system is under review; and the input and involvement, if any, the EU has had in the inspection procedure. [11323/97]
Approximately 8.5 per cent of REPS applicants have been penalised for non-compliance to date and the most common level of penalty is 10 per cent. This figure shows a marked improvement from the middle of 1996 when up to 25 per cent of farmers were being penalised.
The Department is the competent authority, approved by the EU, for implementation of the scheme. In order to safeguard the financial interests of the EU and of the Irish Exchequer, the Department is required to ensure that applicants are complying with the terms and conditions of the scheme. The appeals system which is working well at present, will be reviewed as and when required.
