Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

313 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will review the recall of a REP scheme grant in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1935/02]

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

The position is that a penalty has been imposed on the persons named because they have not fulfilled all their undertakings under REPS.

They joined REPS on 1 February 1997. They were paid for the fifth and final year of the contract in March 2001. They were subsequently selected for a compliance inspection which took place on 5 December 2001. It was discovered during the course of the inspection that a slurry tank that had been included in the agri-environmental plan submitted to the Department had not been installed.

The persons named were notified by my Department on 15 January 2002 that this breach of their undertakings attracted a 50% penalty, and they were told that if they wished to appeal it they could do so in writing to their local farm development service. They were told that the penalty would be applied if no appeal was received by 6 February 2002. To date, my Depart ment has received no correspondence on this matter.