Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 6

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

200 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a £100 payment under the REP scheme for completing the REP scheme course; and when he will receive payment for his Connemara rare breed mare. [3004/00]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

201 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if the spirit of the charter of farmers, rights was broken in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo whereby his REP scheme payment was due on 1 September 1999, he received a letter from his Department informing him of an inspection on 28 September 1999, the inspection took place Christmas week 1999 and payment did not issue until 28 January 2000. [3005/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.

Under the charter of rights for farmers, the payment target for the REP scheme provides for a maximum period of six weeks between lodgment of a valid application for payment and payment. The person named applied for his second payment under the REP scheme on 22 September 1999. My Department wrote to the applicant on 28 September 1999 with a query regarding the area declared for REPS and area aid. The letter stated that the application for payment could not be processed further until a reply was received. The reply was received on 15 December 1999 making it a valid application for payment. Payment issued on 28 January 2000, just over six weeks after the valid application was lodged. The payment included payment in respect of the Connemara rare breed mare.

Payment in respect of the REP scheme course can only be made on receipt of the course certificate. To date the certificate has not been lodged in the Department.