Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am glad that after nearly 12 months he has acknowledged that there was sufficient funding in place for 2011 for the AEOS scheme. At the time, he constantly said there was no funding for it, so I am glad he has acknowledged that now.

The Minister said that the AEOS scheme would be targeted. Many farmers are living in severely restricted regions and have sought this scheme. Therefore, targeting the scheme must be the way forward.

The Minister said he was reviewing the packages concerning the commonage framework, but what are the prospects in September? What are the indications from the Department of Finance at this stage for funding an AEOS scheme, which is vitally important? Some 13,000 farmers have come off REPS 3 who, for the first time since 1994, have no avenue open to them to continue in an environment scheme. What are the prospects of funding such a scheme within the available budgets as outlined for 2012? Given the Minister's discussions with the Department of Finance, what is the likelihood of having such a scheme in place in September? What is the Minister hoping the scheme will target at that stage?

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