Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 5

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

56 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the amount of funding from the EU for the REP scheme for 2000 and 2001 which was not drawn down; the projected figure for 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20678/02]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The levels of EU co-financing provided for the REP scheme in the years in question through the CAP rural development plan 2000-06, together with the amounts actually drawn down, are as follows:

	Co-financing provision€m	Amount drawn down€m
2000	156.6	154.9
2001	163.4	146.96
2002	169.6	130 (projected)

While the full co-financing provision for the REP scheme was not availed of in the years in question, the rural development plan also includes the compensatory allowances, early retirement and forestry measures. Additional EU funding was allocated to the compensatory allowance measure in the years in question, enabling Ireland to maximise its draw-down.

Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 26.