Vol. 547 No. 1
889 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of farmers in each county who have been refused a third year cull ewe scheme payment as a result of them joining the REP scheme; the money held back in each county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2082/02]
The total number of farmers who joined REPS and, therefore, no longer qualify for compensation from my Department for losses arising from sheep destocking, is 734. Had these people not joined REPS they would have received a total of £940,590, 1,194,302.93, in 2001. The breakdown by county is as follows: in Donegal 222 farmers would have received a total of £218,330, 277,221.91; in Galway 75 farmers would have received a total of £86,310, 109,591.09; in Kerry 132 farmers would have received a total of £223,195, 283,399.19; in Leitrim 28 farmers would have received a total of £44,275, 56,217.65; in Mayo 243 farmers would have received a total of £277,900, 352,860.21; and in Sligo 34 farmers would have received a total of £90,580, 115,012.88.
Compensation by my Department is not available to those who are being paid for environmentally friendly farming within REPS. If there are cases where farmers who joined during 2001 believe that they may be entitled to compensation in respect of the period prior to joining REPS they should submit details to Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department who will have their application examined.
