Mr. Colm Hayes:

There were budget constraints that did not allow us to take in every applicant in 2019. The scheme was oversubscribed. We have followed through for those who continued with their organic conversion and have given them priority entry. We made it clear at the time of the reopening of the scheme this year that if it was oversubscribed, those farmers who applied in 2019 and continued with their organic conversion would be given priority entry. There is no question but that they will be first in the queue when there is a decision on entrants.

On the eco-scheme points, I agree with Deputy Michael Collins that the organic scheme is excellent. We intend to have an enhanced organic scheme in the next CAP similar to the model that we have now. We are not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It is a good scheme and it works. It may need a few tweaks in design, which we will make for the next time around. The Minister of State has made clear, as part of her ambition for the sector, that she sees an enhanced scheme under the next CAP being a key part of this.

There is a lot of intensive work ongoing on that.

The point around the eco-scheme and GLAS is that they can also be drivers for organics. For example, in respect of GLAS, the last time around organic farmers were entitled to priority access. In terms of the design of the eco-scheme this time around and the points model, one of the aspects under consideration is that points could be given automatically to farmers who are already organic. The kinds of indirect supports we are talking about would complement the organic farming scheme that is already in place. As we discussed in respect of the market supports, when farmers are looking around when considering whether to apply, they see these kinds of things rather than just the benefits they are getting directly from the organic farming scheme through the conversion and maintenance payments. They are also seeing that it affords them the opportunity to avail of priority entry to the next GLAS and the eco-scheme. It is all part of a suite of offerings for organic farmers that we believe could really significantly drive output.

In respect of this year, we do not yet know what land coverage the 317 farmers who applied brought with them. It is possible that they have brought more land. When the scheme reopened in 2019, the farmers who joined then brought an average of 48 ha, which was above the average of 38 ha of those already in the scheme. We are hoping for something similar this time around in terms of getting closer to the land coverage targets.

When a scheme is reopened, it is hard to gauge the level of interest. We did a huge amount in terms of engaging the advisory services. We directly funded the Agricultural Consultants Association, ACA, and the private advisory services. They organised a number of workshops for their members. We worked very closely with the organic certification bodies. We did a lot of publicity ourselves. Farmers are looking around. The reopening of the scheme coincided with the opening of the REAP scheme earlier this year. Anecdotally, we heard of competition in farmers' minds between whether they would join the organic farming scheme or the REAP scheme. We have not yet done a full analysis of those who have not applied. We are working through feedback from organic certification bodies and advisory services.

A sustained campaign and another reopening are required. The Minister of State has indicated very strongly that this is very much her intention if the funding is available. There is the potential to take in another cohort of farmers next year, perhaps without the competition of other transitional schemes. That is an issue for discussion and a policy matter for the next budget.

We are building towards the next CAP all the time. It its important that farmers have a clear understanding. There were some mixed signals in the media and elsewhere around whether it is the right time to join the organic scheme. It is very clear that now is absolutely the right time. All being well, the 317 people who applied will be accepted. We will know how much land they are bringing with them when we do the full review of the basic payment schemes. A further reopening of the scheme next year, an enhanced organic scheme in whatever form that takes arising from the next CAP and a dedicated stand-alone CAP scheme will all be major factors.