Clare Farmers Urged To Return REPS 3 Forms

Junior Agriculture Minister, Tony Killeen, T.D., has reminded Clare REPS 3 participants whose anniversaries arise in November and December and who have yet to return their 1C forms to do so immediately to ensure that they are processed for early payment.

The Clare T.D. noted that the Department of Agriculture sent the 1C forms to the farmers concerned in the month before their anniversary date. Clare farmers are being reminded to return the forms to their local office.

Minister Killeen said he had issued the reminder as he was anxious that as many REPS 3 payments as possible be made before Christmas. He continued: “The issuing of such payments is, however, dependant on farmers completing and returning the necessary 1C forms which will allow the Department to make the payments.”

Meanwhile, Minister of State Killeen confirmed that Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith would be introducing a Supplementary Estimate for the Department later this week, which will allow the Department to spend an additional 39 million euro on REPS this year.

According to Minister of State Killeen; “This increased level of REPS payments in 2009 will improve the cash flow position of hundreds of Clare farmers and recognises the serious income difficulties being experienced by farmers this year.”

Clare County Council Receives Grant To Promote Integration

Minister of State Tony Killeen, T.D., has welcomed the approval of 35,000 euro for Clare County Council to implement measures to promote the integration of foreign nationals in the local community.

Clare County Council is among 11 local authorities throughout Ireland deemed by Minister for Integration, Mr. John Curran TD to possess significant numbers of foreign nationals in their respective areas.

Minister of State Killeen commented: “A wide range of measures have been approved by the Minister for expenditure from these grants on foot of the proposals submitted to him by Clare County Council and other local authorities. They include the establishment of forums to enable local authorities to apprise themselves of immigrants' needs on an ongoing basis and to facilitate communication in both directions; the payment of small grants to local groups working on integration; integration strategy development; intercultural centres; and intercultural events.”

Minister of State Killeen said he welcomed the commitment of Clare County Council to promoting the integration of immigrants. “I also wish to commend the Council for their readiness to address the changes that have taken place so quickly in the local community during recent years”, he added.

Summer Works Scheme Extension For Flood Affected Schools

Junior Minister Tony Killeen, T.D., said he has received confirmation today from the Department of Education and Science that the deadline for receipt of applications to the 2010 Summer Works Scheme has been extended for Clare schools affected by recent flooding.

“Following my representation to the Department regarding the difficulties experienced by some schools, Minister Batt O’Keeffe has informed me of his decision to extend the November 27th deadline for receipt of applications by two weeks”, explained the Clare T.D.

He added: “The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works and water conservation measures which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.”

“The capacity of schools to take responsibility for delivering small and medium-scale projects is a key component of the Summer Works Scheme and I am delighted that 29 primary schools and 10 post-primary schools across County Clare benefited this year. Nationally the Government has invested 610 million euro on the school building programme this year, the highest spend on school buildings in the history of the State”, Minister of State Killeen stated.

He noted that part of the 2010 Summer Works Scheme fund is being set aside to address water conservation issues in schools. “Specified measures have been identified by the Department for this purpose which, when implemented, should reduce schools’ day to day water usage and associated costs and contribute to the Government’s national targets of reducing carbon dioxide emissions”, Minister of State Killeen concluded.

Full details of the Summer Works Scheme are available from the Department of Education and Science website www.education.ie.