Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As somebody who grew up on a farm in a farming community and who continues to farm, I do not need to be reminded of the importance of agriculture to this economy. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív and his Fianna Fáil colleagues for giving us an opportunity to discuss this matter tonight. The motion they have tabled notes "the critical role" the rural environment protection scheme plays in our economy. This Government is very cognisant of that. Some €64 million has been paid out under the scheme so far this year and it is estimated that €121 million will be spent by the end of the year. Despite this country's constrained economic circumstances, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, launched a €20 million agri-environment options scheme a couple of weeks ago. A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum will apply to individual applicants under the reopened scheme. In the past, the average payment has been lower than the maximum. Up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme, which will be similar to those of previous years. There will be some minor changes which are designed to target increased benefits to participating farmers and the environment. Furthermore, targeted reforms to the disadvantaged areas scheme were introduced last year to prioritise payments for active farmers and ensure farm families that are actively farming in disadvantaged areas continue to receive assistance. The rate of payment in eligible areas under that scheme remains intact to protect the most vulnerable active farmers in disadvantaged areas. Nevertheless, the Fianna Fáil motion "calls on the Minister to expand the new AEOS to encompass a €5,000 maximum payment and 8,000 places". I listened to Deputy Ó Cuív's speech last night, but I did not hear him explain how these figures were arrived at. Is it just that they are a little better than the previous ones? Is there any particular rationale for these figures?

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