Clare Farmers Set To Receive First Payments Under REPS 4

The Clare T.D. said that hundreds of local farmers were among 10,800 that had applied for REPS 4 by the closing date of 15th May last year.

According to Minister Killeen, "Under new EU rules, all administrative checks for these had to be completed before the first payments could be issued. Approximately a quarter of the applications were 'paper' applications and required manual checking, whereas those created on the eREPS computerised planning system could be screened electronically."

The North Clare T.D. confirmed that the first payments to be released by the Department would be those that require no correction.

"Recent EU audits have emphasised the need to scrutinise all applications very carefully," explained Minister Killeen.

He continued, "It is disappointing that a significant number of REPS 4 applications have not come through the administrative checks, and will have to be corrected before they can be paid. My colleague Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith has asked Department officials to review the results and consider what can be done to bring about an improvement in the quality of applications and farm plans submitted."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900