Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Ulick Burke

Question:

107 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the professional standard that operates in his Department as applied to a REPS participant (details supplied) which allowed for a half year payment to be made two years ago and where no subsequent payments have been made; if this was a random selection for audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22932/00]

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

A hold was placed on further payments in this case in November 1998 as it was deemed appropriate that the application should be the subject of a discretionary full plan and on-farm inspection.

Following the inspection the applicant was asked to provide further documentation, including contracts for purchase of certain lands and title documents for lands the subject of the application, so that the checking of her application could be completed. Requests for this documentation issued to the applicant on 21 October 1999 and to the applicant's legal advisers on 13 March 2000 and 15 August 2000. To date all of the documentation requested has still not been received.

Until the outstanding documentation is received and fully examined no further action can be taken to progress this matter.