Michael Ring
Ceist:374 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if REP scheme applicants will no longer be penalised for mistakes made by REP scheme planners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1205/01]
Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Where it is determined that a participant in REPS has incurred a penalty as a result of a deficient agri-environmental plan or a planner error, my Department may impose appropriate sanctions on the planner but the penalty on the participant cannot be waived. However, the participant has a right of appeal to the national REPS appeals committee. It is open to the appeals committee to decide to reduce or waive penalties and it is open to the committee to take planner errors into account in its deliberations.
The functions of the national REPS appeals committee will pass to the appeals office when it is established.