Michael Ring
Question:147 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of REP scheme applications with commonage held up due to the preparation of framework documents on a county to county basis. [25625/99]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Pending the introduction of framework plans for individual commonages, interim framework plans were introduced which facilitated the processing of REPS applications involving commonage. Currently no applications with commonage are held up pending the introduction of individual framework plans.
Michael Ring
Question:148 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of people from County Mayo approved to join the REP scheme and who have received payment; and the REP scheme payments issued in County Mayo in each of the years from 1997 to date. [25626/99]
Since the inception of the REP scheme in 1994, 5,024 farmers in Mayo have been approved for participation and received payment.
In 1997, payments amounting to £9.919 million issued to REPS participants in Mayo. In 1998 this figure was £14.435 million and in 1999 to date some £14.684 million has issued to farmers in Mayo under REPS.
Michael Ring
Question:149 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of REP scheme applications from County Mayo refused in each of the years from 1997 to date; and the number of applications pending a decision or an appeal decision. [25627/99]
On 29 November 1999, there were 165 applications pending decision from applicants in Mayo. In addition, 29 appeals against the imposition of penalties from applicants in Mayo are pending decision.
It is not possible to provide statistics on the number of applicants who may not have been accepted into the scheme because, should an initial application fail, it may be approved subsequently provided it is amended to comply with the scheme conditions.
Michael Ring
Question:150 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of REP scheme applicants in County Mayo inspected in 1998 and 1999. [25628/99]
In 1998, 1,600 inspections were carried out in Mayo in relation to the REPS. In 1999, to date, 1,896 inspections have been carried out in Mayo.