Vol. 480 No. 6
172 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has not been paid his first REP scheme instalment; the reason his neighbour has already been paid the second instalment, in view of the fact that they both applied at the same time and have similar amounts of leased commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the fact that the delay is causing financial hardship. [14301/97]
As the Deputy is aware my Department is in the process of finalising arrangements for dealing with problem commonage cases which arose, mostly in Mayo, in 1995.
Every effort is being made to arrive at a fair and equitable solution in these cases bearing in mind the Department's responsibility to ensure the highest standards of accountability for all expenditure on REPS.
When the solution is arrived at it will be applied equitably to all applicants, including the cases cited by the Deputy, irrespective of whether a payment has already been made.
173 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid his REP scheme payment. [14302/97]
The applicant concerned has been paid both his first and second year payments. He has been eligible to apply for his third year payment since 1 September 1997 but has not done so to date.
174 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive her REP scheme payment in view of the fact that the delay is causing financial hardship. [14303/97]
A field inspection was carried out in this case on 23 September 1997 and on foot of that farm visit a number of queries were raised. Both the person named and her REPS planner will be contacted in the near future with regard to these queries. A payment cannot be made by my Department until it is satisfied that this application is in order.
175 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers nationwide with leased commonage on their applications for the REP scheme who are waiting to be paid; and the number of these located in County Mayo. [14304/97]
176 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of farmers nationwide with leased commonage on their applications for the REP scheme who have been paid; and the number of these farmers located in County Mayo. [14305/97]
I propose to take Question Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The position is that the number of applicants with leased commonage on their applications who have been and are awaiting payment, both nationwide and in Mayo, is unchanged since the reply to Questions Nos. 124, 125 and 126 of 14 May 1997. I assure the Deputy that my Department will be making a definitive decision on those cases awaiting payment in the near future.
Every effort is being made to arrive at a fair and equitable solution in these cases bearing in mind the Department's responsibility to ensure the highest standards of accountability for all expenditure on REPS.
