Vol. 487 No. 8
68 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the current position in relation to the REP scheme; the amount of funding already allocated; the potential for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5382/98]
To date over 32,350 farmers have joined REPS with payments totalling some £195.5 million. As a result over 1.1 million hectares of agricultural land, which represents approximately 23 per cent of the total area, are being farmed in an environmentally friendly way. It is envisaged that up to 43,000 farmers will have joined REPS by 1999 with expected total expenditure in the order of £350 million. The sum of £145 million has been made available for payments under the scheme this year. This is an increase of 43 per cent on last year's allocation and reflects my continued confidence in the scheme.
At present the scheme is being amended to incorporate provisions for special areas of conservation. Discussions with the European Commission are continuing and it is hoped to get agreement soon.
It is the intention to continue the REPS for a further period after the initial five year period is completed in 1999. It is expected that REPS will continue to play a major role in the implementation of environmental measures in Ireland and will be an appropriate channel for Community funding in future years.
