Dan Neville
Question:262 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the average time it takes to consider an appeal by the REP scheme appeals committee. [26402/01]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
The average time from the lodging of an appeal to a decision on it by the REPS appeals committee is between four and five months. When an appeal is lodged, it is first investigated by my Department's inspectors and they prepare a report for the appeals committee which meets regularly to deal with a list of cases presented to it. Straightforward appeals may take considerably less time to finalise, but more complex issues, or cases where additional information or investigation is required, may take longer.
The REPS appeals committee has held 14 all-day meetings so far in 2001 and further meetings will be arranged as required. Some delays at the investigation stage arose earlier this year when my Department's inspectors could not visit farms because of the precautions against the spread of foot and mouth disease. While this backlog is being addressed as quickly as possible, my Department's inspectors have to deal with the inspection of appeals along with their other work, which includes the processing of new scheme applications. Applications for REPS are being received in very large numbers at present and they must be dealt with in compliance with the targets set down in the protocol on direct payments to farmers.