Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 6

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

15 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if plans are under way to reduce the number of inspections under the REP scheme; if there are plans under way to increase some of the penalties that apply to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17769/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

My Department has an obligation to maintain a level of controls that is adequate to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the rural environmental protection scheme. In operating the existing scheme, it has been necessary to carry out a high level of compliance inspections each year. When REPS participants apply for their second or subsequent annual payments, 50% are selected for on-farm inspection and a further 5% are selected for a plan check in addition to an on-farm inspection. I am satisfied that this high level of control has played a vital part in giving assurance to the EU Commission that the scheme is being operated correctly.

This high level of compliance inspections can, however, have an impact on the time it takes to process payment applications. This is especially the case in areas where the number of REPS participants is higher than average and the operation of various payment schemes places a heavy burden on human and other resources.

In an effort to optimise levels of customer service while at the same time maintaining an adequate level of control, I am actively considering more sophisticated methods of selecting cases for compliance inspection. It is my intention to apply detailed risk analysis criteria to the selection process and such criteria are being developed at present. I expect the introduction of risk analysis to allow for a reduction in the level of compliance inspections from 50% to 25% and this, together with the provision of additional human and IT resources, will ensure that delays in making payments are minimised.

In relation to penalties, it is a requirement of the European Commission that the REP scheme includes details of types of non-compliance and the penalties they will attract. I have accordingly incorporated proposals relating to penalties in the draft scheme included in the rural development plan 2000-2006, which is now being considered by the Commission. Certain penalties are being increased under the proposed penalty regime, but others are being reduced or abolished. In preparing these proposals, my Department sought the views of the farm bodies, Teagasc and the Agricultural Consultants' Association. In introducing the new scheme, it is my intention to ensure that REPS participants and their planners are informed in the clearest possible terms of their obligations so as to minimise the likelihood of non-compliance.

I should point out that for the vast majority of the 45,000 participants in the existing scheme, penalties have not been an issue. Penalties are applied only where it is found on inspection that a participant has not complied with the undertakings in his or her REPS plan. Of the £544 million paid to farmers under the scheme to date, penalties have represented only £7.1 million, or 1.3% of the total.