Vol. 525 No. 2
325 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason a share of share approved on 1 July 1996 is eligible under the REP scheme when the specification states it is not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24095/00]
This case is being reviewed. I will notify the Deputy directly of the outcome within ten days.
326 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will outline his Department's policy with regard to the reduction of REP scheme payments to persons who facilitate a local authority to complete necessary improvement works to a county road by transferring a small portion of land; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local authorities, though it is not compulsory, purchase small pockets of land to complete improvements to county roads; and his further views on whether such persons should be penalised for doing a public service for the community. [24096/00]
Under the REP scheme a farmer contracts to farm a defined area to the scheme specifications in return for which annual payment is made for a five year period. Payments under the scheme are area-based and where during the course of the undertakings the contracted area is reduced, a pro rata reduction in the amount of annual payment results.
Consequently payments cannot be made under the scheme on land areas which are not farmed to the REP scheme conditions and specifications.
