Ministerial move paves way to end delays in Kerry payments

STEPS are being taken by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to resolve delays in the processing and payment of Rural Environment Protection Scheme claims by farmers in Kerry.

Labour spokesperson Sean Sherlock asked Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith in the Dáil why 50% of REPS 4 farmers in Kerry remained unpaid.

Mr Smith explained in a written reply that the processing of REPS 4 payments is governed by EU Regulations which require exhaustive administrative checks and on-the-spot inspections.