Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2004
106 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which his Department’s view that the REP scheme is easier to operate and cheaper to enter can be justified in view of matters (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18300/04]
View answerThe detailed specification referred to by the Deputy is for the use of professional planners and is designed to assist them in drawing up REPS 3 plans. Farmers are not obliged to refer to the specification; instead, I have introduced a separate publication called the REPS Farmer’s Handbook which explains plainly and in user-friendly terms what the farmer must do to comply with the scheme.
Mapping requirements for each REPS undertaking are clearly set out and are similar to those under REPS 2. The need for amended plans has been reduced in REPS 3; they will now be needed only where there is a significant change to the land area or the farming system.
A sum of €1.3 million has already been invested in providing on-line access to Ordnance Survey maps for REPS planning purposes. I am making a further investment in an on-line REPS planning system, which is currently being developed by Teagasc and the Agricultural Consultants' Association and will be available to planners later this year. This will lead to further efficiencies and less time required for the preparation of plans.
REPS planners are no longer required to examine title documentation regarding REPS farms, except where the land is leased or part of a commonage. They are now required to visit a farm only once during the course of a REPS contract, whereas annual visits were required in previous years.
All of these changes will lead to a reduction in the time taken to prepare plans and in the planner's ongoing involvement in REPS contracts, and I would expect this to be reflected in reduced costs to the farmer.
