Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

190 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reasons those such as a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who hold a degree in agriculture based on agricultural business and rural development cannot become involved in REP scheme planning; if REP scheme planning can only be dealt with through Teagasc; if so, the reason he will not open the activity to those who are qualified and not employed by Teagasc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27219/00]

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

To ensure that individuals who offer REPS planning services are suitably qualified to do so, my Department has established a set of minimum qualifications for those wishing to be approved for REPS planning work. These qualifications have been re-examined recently in the context of the introduction of the new REP scheme, and a degree in agriculture based on agri-business and rural development will be accepted by my Department.

The person named has supplied details of his qualifications to my Department. These are being re-examined at present and he will be notified of the Department's decision in due course.

REPS planning services are available from approximately 250 private companies and individuals in addition to Teagasc local offices. Scheme applicants are free to choose any of these, and all planning agencies, including Teagasc, are subject to the same conditions and are treated on the same basis by my Department. A list of all approved REPS planning agencies is available from my Department.