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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Dan Neville

Question:

38 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will ensure that farmers who transfer land under the REP scheme or for necessary improvements to country roads are treated as favourably as farmers whose lands are compulsorily acquired or whose lands are afforested; the reason REP scheme applicants who transfer land for improvements to county roads receive reduced payments with effect from the first year of their participation in the scheme; if he will ensure that farmers who agree to non-compulsory acquisitions do not incur a reduction in REP scheme payments or other financial loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/01]

The EU regulations governing the REP scheme make specific provisions which are applicable in circumstances where land that forms part of a REPS contract is the subject of a compulsory purchase order or is afforested. In such cases the regulations provide that reimbursement of aid already paid shall not be required though future payments under the scheme will be reduced to reflect the reduction in the area covered by the contract if it falls below 40 hectares, which is the maximum area on which REPS payments can be calculated.

Where lands are transferred or otherwise disposed of other than through compulsory purchase or by afforestation, all aid already paid proportionate to the transferred land must normally be reimbursed. However, where it is established that a local authority purchased land voluntarily from a REPS participant for road improvement purposes then the reimbursement of aid already paid may be dispensed with on a case by case basis provided that the purchase is notified in writing to the Department by the vendor and the local authority and the existing REPS plan is revised to reflect the area disposed of.

In cases where a clawback may not be required under these specific circumstances, future payments will, as in cases of compulsory purchase or afforestation, be based on the reduced area as submitted in the revised plan.

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