Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010
109 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of REP scheme participants who have completed their five year plan in the past 12 months; the corresponding number of completed applications received under the replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/10]
View answerSome 10,000 former participants in REPS 3, having completed their five year contract under REPS and having left the scheme, would have been eligible to apply for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme by the closing date for receipt of applications of 17 May 2010. The new scheme is open to all farmers, but I expect that many of those who have completed their REPS 3 contracts will have applied to join it.
There has been significant interest in the new Scheme since it opened for applications on 30 March 2010. At close of business on 17 May 2010, some 4,400 applications had been submitted to my Department's office at Johnstown Castle Estate in Wexford. However, given the short time frame for submitting applications, and in order to facilitate as many farmers as possible, applications were also accepted in my Department's local offices. These applications are currently being forwarded to be processed centrally in Wexford. Current indications are that the total number of applications will be close to 8,000, but the actual number cannot be ascertained until all applications have been received and recorded in Wexford. For the same reason, it is not yet possible to say how many of the applicants were formerly participants in REPS 3.
