Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will give an exact figure for the estimated expenditure on REPS in response to a later question. I do not want to give a figure off the top of my head. We are ahead of schedule in terms of getting payments out across all schemes this year. I am conscious that farmers have had a difficult summer. We want to get the money that is due to them out as quickly as possible. That is why €150 million is going out to farmers in disadvantaged areas this week. That is why we have applied to the Commission for a 50% advance payment to be made under the single payment scheme. That is why we will make as many REPS payments as we can this year. We will certainly be well ahead of last year in terms of payments. I can give the Deputy the exact figures at a later stage. He also asked about designated areas. On budget day last year, I gave a commitment to introduce at a minimum an agri-environment options scheme that would solely target Natura areas or special areas of conservation. We have worked hard to broaden the scheme to allow farmers who are not in those designated areas to apply for AEOS payments. As the new scheme is very similar to last year's scheme, farmers outside the designated areas will be able to make applications. I can confirm that the measure relating to stone walls will be retained.

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